How the New UK Law Protects Farm Animals and What It Means for Dog Owners
A significant change in British law is coming this spring that will strengthen protections for livestock and clarify the responsibilities of dog owners across England and Wales. Rural affairs officers and farming communities have welcomed the update as one of the most important reforms to livestock-worrying legislation in decades
What the Law Does
On 18 March 2026, the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 will come into force modernising and extending protections that were previously set out in a 1953 law.
Here’s what’s new:
Unlimited fines for dog attacks and livestock worrying. Previously, penalties were capped at £1,000; under the new law courts can impose unlimited fines on owners whose dogs harass, chase, injure, or kill farm animals.
Broader legal definitions: Alpacas and llamas are now legally recognised as livestock alongside sheep, cattle, pigs, horses and goats expanding the range of protected animals.
More places covered: Offences can now be committed on roads and public footpaths, not just in fields and enclosed land. This closes a long-standing loophole that made prosecution difficult in many cases.
Stronger police powers: Officers can now seize and detain dogs suspected of livestock worrying, obtain warrants to collect evidence, and take forensic samples such as DNA or footprints to support investigations
What Livestock Worrying Means
Under this legislation, a dog is considered to be worrying livestock if it:
Attacks or bites
Chases or stalks in a way that could reasonably cause injury or suffering
Causes stress, panic or disturbance that could lead to injury, fatality, or even the abortion of unborn lambs even without physical contact.
This reflects a deeper understanding that fear and stress can be just as harmful to farm animals as direct physical harm
Why the Law Matters
Incidents of livestock worrying are common and costly:
A survey by the National Sheep Association found that nearly 87% of sheep farmers reported at least one dog attack on their flock in the past year.
Research from the National Farmers Union estimated livestock worrying costs rural communities millions of pounds annually, due to injury, death, and lost productivity.
Those figures help explain why rural police teams and farmers say the law is long overdue giving authorities clearer legal tools to protect animals and pursue irresponsible owners
Why Dog Owners Should Pay Attention
For responsible dog owners and walkers, this doesn’t mean dogs are no longer welcome in the countryside. But it does mean being more aware and cautious:
Keep dogs on a lead near livestock, especially during lambing and calving season.
Even a momentary chase or a dog off-lead near animals could lead to legal penalties.
Understand that stress alone counts as harm under the law, even if there’s no physical contact.
Law enforcement and rural officers emphasise that education, awareness and simple precautions like sticking to paths, using leads, and respecting farm boundaries are key to preventing harm and avoiding prosecution
In Context
This update is one part of a broader shift in how the UK treats animals from farm livestock to pets. Recent government welfare reforms aim to strengthen protections and set higher standards for animal care across sectors.
As we move into 2026, both rural communities and dog owners are being asked to rethink how we coexist on the same countryside landscapes with greater clarity on legal responsibilities and stronger safeguards for vulnerable animals than ever before.