The new amendment to The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act empowers police to take advantage of the technological and scientific advancements that have been made since it was first passed into law in 1953.
The NFU has been campaigning for this change to this legislation since 2019. Through sheer persistence and the unwavering support of MPs and Peers and the public, we have now secured a change that gives police more enforcement powers, encourages responsible dog ownership, and provides justice for farmers and their livestock when they do sadly fall victim to livestock worrying.
“This act will make a massive difference in giving farmers greater confidence and safeguarding their livestock.”
NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt
Government plans to strengthen the law on livestock worrying were stalled when the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill was withdrawn in 2023. More than 10,000 people signed an NFU open letter, calling on the government to strengthen the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. The open letter called for an increase in fines and enhanced police powers to tackle the increasing incidence of dog attacks on livestock.
NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt said this marked “a moment of huge relief and a big victory for the farming community, as their concerns have been heard and acted upon”.
“Livestock worrying takes a significant emotional and financial toll on farmers, and this Act will make a massive difference in giving farmers greater confidence and safeguarding their livestock,” she added.
The new law came into effect today (18 March) and applies to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland already have their own livestock worrying legislation.
How will the new legislation help tackle livestock worrying?
The Act has several important provisions that make the law fit for the 21st century.
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act was first passed into law in 1953. Since then there have been a lot of technological and scientific advancements that police can use to better tackle crime. The Act now gives police new powers to take advantage of this, allowing them to take DNA samples or mouth impressions from dogs they suspect of worrying livestock.
Police will now be empowered to detain dogs they suspect of worrying livestock where there’s nobody present to accept responsibility of the dog. Courts can now order offenders to pay the costs incurred by seizing and detaining a dog.
There will be harsher punishments for offenders. Recognising that livestock do not live their entire lives within the confines of a field, the legislation will make incidents that happen on roads and paths against the law.
Camelids will now be protected by the law. Justices of the Peace will also now be able to issue warrants authorising police to use all these new powers.
Importantly, the new police powers can be used to investigate incidents of livestock worrying that happened before the Bill was passed into law.
Proper penalties
Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said: “Farmers can now have greater peace of mind knowing that proper penalties are in place for people who carelessly let their dogs worry livestock.”
“Dog attacks have devastating consequences and this new law reflects the government’s strong commitment to our farmers and animal welfare.”
Farmers should report, record and retain any information or evidence relating to a livestock worrying incident where available, and share it with the police.
See a timeline of our lobbying work:
New law comes into force
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act officially comes into force, unlocking greater police powers with unlimited fines for dog owners if they are convicted.
Bill receives Royal Assent in 'historic win' for farmers.
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act receives Royal Assent. The Act was first passed into law in 1953. Aphra Brandreth's private members’ Bill implements an amendment to this Act.
The new amendment empowers police to take advantage of the technological and scientific advancements that have been made since it was first passed into law in 1953. This includes allowing them to take DNA samples or mouth impressions from dogs they suspect of worrying livestock and where there is nobody present to accept responsibility of the dog, as well as ensuring offenders can be ordered by the courts to pay the costs incurred by seizing and detaining a dog.
Bill is given final approval
The Lords give their final approval to the Bill, allowing to be sent to the King for Royal Assent and finally being enshrined on the Statute Book.
Aphra Brandreth takes over the Bill
After the election, the Bill is reintroduced to Parliament by Aphra Brandreth, Conservative MP for Chester South and Eddisbury.
MPs again give their approval to the Bill and it passes its Second Reading and Committee Stage. After passing through the Commons, the now enobled Baroness Coffey starts to take the Bill through the Lords where it passes through unamended with support from all parties.
The Lords agree to expedite the Bill, scheduling in the final stage before it is sent to the King for the 5 December.
The NFU continues to brief MPs and Peers ahead of the Bill passing through each stage.
NFU calls on Defra to enhance existing legislation
NFU launches open letter to government, inviting members to add their support to call on Defra to enhance existing legislation to increase fines and enhance police powers to deal with dog attacks on livestock.
Thérèse Coffey brings back the Bill
Therese Coffey, MP for Suffolk Coastal, introduces the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Bill to the Commons following NFU lobbying.
MPs back Ms Coffey’s Bill, allowing it to pass its second reading. The Bill completes its progress in the Commons. It is introduced into the House of Lords, but is lost when the government dissolves Parliament for the general election in July.
Bill is pulled
The government pulls the Bill, citing concerns over ‘scope creep’. It pledges to introduce the measures contained within the Bill as individual pieces of legislation. The NFU campaigns to ensure it does not fall off the agenda.
Virginia Crosbie tables a ten-minute rule bill
The NFU works with Virginia Crosbie MP on her ten-minute rule bill, aimed at strengthening the livestock worrying legislation.
Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill is introduced
The government introduces the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, containing the provisions the NFU campaigned on. The Kept Animals Bill receives its second reading, gaining the support of MPs.
It passes through the Committee Stage. However, it is stalled after Parliament is prorogued. A carry-over motion is passed allowing the legislation to be brought back. It then restarts its journey in May 2022 through the Commons and has another second reading.
Public back NFU's open letter
NFU launches open letter to government calling for support to changes to the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.
10,145 members of the public signed the letter.
NFU meets with stakeholders to discuss livestock worrying reforms
The NFU participates in a series of meetings with Defra and police leads on livestock worrying reforms.
NFU calls for legislation change
The NFU lobbies the government to make simple changes to legislation to tackle livestock worrying.
NFU kickstarts call for change
Ahead of the 2019 General Election, the NFU launches its manifesto, Back British Farming: Brexit and Beyond, calling for changes to existing livestock worrying legislation to make it fit for purpose and aid the police when addressing this crime.
BBC picks up the story
The NFU raises the issue on the BBC Breakfast sofa during a week of programmes from a farm in Leicestershire.
National Police Chiefs Council report published
The NFU welcomes the National Police Chiefs Council report which finds that in the majority of cases of livestock worrying the dog owner was not present.
NFU launches Combatting Rural Crime Report
NFU launches its Combatting Rural Crime Report, highlighting livestock worrying as a key rural crime impact on farm businesses.
The NFU calls for:
- Improved prosecution rates for owners whose dogs are caught livestock worrying.
- Use of the maximum fine for livestock worrying to provide a deterrent.
- Sharing of resources and best practise between police forces and authorities.
