Tough New Law on Dog Attacks: No Lead, No Excuse

27 March 2026 | W.E.U Admin | News

TAGS: English Common Law, Protection of Livestock, Penalty Fines

Protection of Livestock Guidance For WEU members who own dogs

Dog owners across England and Wales need to be aware that the law on controlling your dog has changed, and the consequences of getting it wrong are now far more serious.

As of 18 March 2026, the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 is in force. This legislation strengthens the powers available to police and courts in response to livestock worrying and raises the stakes for irresponsible dog ownership in rural areas.

Livestock worrying is not a grey area. The law is clear: if a dog attacks, chases, or is loose among farm animals in a way that causes distress, an offence has been committed. There does not need to be a bite. Fear alone can cause serious harm.

Animals can abort their young, suffer injuries, or die from stress. These are not rare events. In 2025, farm animals worth nearly £2 million were severely injured or killed by dogs, a rise of 10 per cent in just one year.

Stricter Penalties and Increased Police Powers

This is why the law has been tightened. The maximum penalty has increased from £1,000 to an unlimited fine. That means courts can impose penalties that reflect the true scale of damage caused.

Police also now have the power to seize and detain dogs where there are reasonable grounds to believe they have worried livestock and may do so again. They can gather forensic evidence, including DNA samples, and enter premises where necessary to secure it. Courts can also order offenders to pay the costs of seizing and keeping a detained dog.

The scope of the law has also widened. It now applies not just in fields but on roads and public footpaths. The definition of livestock has been expanded to include animals such as llamas and alpacas, alongside sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, and horses.

Responsibility and Respect

For dog owners, the expectations are simple and absolute. Any dog can worry livestock. Size, breed, and training do not eliminate risk. If you are near livestock, your dog must be under control and, in most cases, on a short lead. During lambing season, this becomes even more critical.

There are no excuses. Saying a dog has never behaved that way before will not prevent prosecution. If your dog escapes from your home or garden and causes harm, you can still be held responsible.

For members of the Workers of England, this is about respect for fellow workers. Farmers rely on their livestock for their livelihood. Damage caused in minutes can undo months of work and investment.

Summary of Key Legal Changes

Area	What the Law Now Says	What It Means in Practice
Definition of offence	Includes chasing, attacking, or causing distress	No physical contact needed; chasing is an offence
Maximum penalty	Increased to an unlimited fine	Courts can impose severe financial penalties
Police powers	Can seize dogs; take DNA; enter premises	Stronger enforcement and investigation capability
Locations covered	Includes roads and public footpaths	Law applies anywhere livestock are present
Types of livestock	Expanded to include llamas and alpacas	Wider range of animals protected
Scale of problem	£1.95 million losses in 2025	87% of sheep farmers affected; widespread impact

Stephen Morris, General Secretary, Workers of England Union said:

“This is a hard-hitting issue because the consequences for farmers and their livelihoods are very real. But our aim is not to alarm, it is to inform our members. We want our members to be fully aware of the new law and the calls for vigorous enforcement. Responsible ownership protects not only livestock and farmers, but also our members themselves.”