New Law Introduces Unlimited Fines and Stronger Police Powers

Dog owners across England and Wales now face unlimited fines and the potential seizure of their pets under strengthened legislation designed to better protect farm animals from attacks and harassment. The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025, which came into force on 18 March 2026, marks the most significant overhaul of livestock worrying laws in more than 70 years.

What the New Law Covers

Unlimited Penalties for Offending Owners

The previous £1,000 limit on fines has been removed, allowing courts to impose unlimited financial penalties to reflect the severity and impact of an incident.

Enhanced Police Enforcement Powers

Police now have authority to:

• Seize and detain dogs suspected of posing a continuing risk to livestock.
• Enter premises to collect evidence, including animal DNA, and secure material needed for prosecution.

These broader powers are intended to strengthen investigations and improve outcomes where attacks occur.

Recovery of Enforcement Costs

Courts may now order offenders to pay the costs associated with seizing, holding or caring for a detained dog, reducing cost burdens on enforcement authorities.

Expanded Areas Where Offences Apply

Livestock worrying offences no longer apply only on private farmland. Incidents occurring on public roads, footpaths and rights of way now fall within the scope of the Act—an important change given the frequency of livestock movement between fields.

The Act also expands what is considered an offence. This is no longer limited to dogs attacking or chasing livestock and now includes instances where a dog s present on agricultural land and causes reasonable fear, stress or disturbance to livestock, even if no physical injury occurs.

Broader Definition of Livestock

The definition now expressly includes camelids, such as llamas and alpacas, reflecting growth in UK ownership since the 1950s.

In addition, the scope of protected animals now expressly includes animals kept for food, farming or breeding purposes, even if at the moment of the offence, they were not enclosed in a field, closing the loophole where livestock were not strictly on ‘agricultural land’.

Why the Law Has Been Strengthened

Dog attacks and chasing incidents continue to cause significant animal suffering and financial loss. In 2025, insurers estimated that livestock worth nearly £2 million was severely injured or killed in dog related incidents—an increase of 10% on the previous year. Farmers report not only fatalities but also miscarriages, shock related deaths and long term trauma among surviving animals.

Practical Guidance for Dog Owners

The clearest and safest measure for preventing livestock incidents remains simple:

Keep dogs on a lead wherever livestock may be present. As with the original Act, liability does not depend on the dog owner intending harm. Owners remain responsible for keeping dogs under proper control hear livestock and dog owners face greater legal and financial risk if dogs stray near livestock.

Police and rural safety teams warn that even well‑trained dogs can act unpredictably, especially if they have never encountered livestock before. Extendable leads still allow dogs to approach animals, and owners may not be able to intervene quickly enough.

Talk to one of our specialist agricultural law solicitors for legal advice if you are concerned about sheep worrying.

If you require any further advice on this matter and your right and responsibilities, please do not hesitate to contact our Agricultural Team on 01653 600070.