UK enacts tougher livestock-protection law after rise in dog attacks
A new law took effect in England and Wales on 18 March 2026, raising the maximum penalty for livestock worrying from £1,000 to an unlimited fine and expanding police powers.
A new livestock-protection law came into force in England and Wales on 18 March 2026, tightening the legal response to dog attacks and dog-related distress incidents on farms. The policy targets “livestock worrying,” which includes dogs chasing, attacking, or otherwise causing distress to farm animals on agricultural land. UK officials framed the move as both an animal-welfare measure and a farm-economics intervention, because even short incidents can lead to deaths, injuries, miscarriages, and longer-term business losses.
The most visible legal shift is the penalty increase: the previous maximum fine of £1,000 has been replaced by an unlimited fine. Police are now empowered to seize and detain a dog where there are reasonable grounds to believe it attacked or worried livestock and could do so again. Investigators also gain stronger evidence-gathering powers, including entry to premises and the ability to secure forensic material such as animal DNA evidence.
Government-backed figures in the announcement underline why the issue has moved up the policy agenda. A National Sheep Association survey reported that almost four in five sheep farmers (87%) experienced a dog attack on their flock in 2024, with many reporting repeated incidents. Separate National Farmers’ Union research said the cost of livestock worrying rose by 10% year on year to almost £2 million. Regional losses cited in the release included an estimated £438,000 in the Midlands and £330,000 in the South East.
The law also broadens where protection applies. Coverage now extends beyond fields to roads and paths used when farmers move animals between holdings, including transfers to another field or a milking parlour. It also expands the definition of protected livestock to include camelids such as llamas and alpacas, reflecting how mixed farm systems have evolved and where risk exposure now exists.
Court powers have been strengthened as well. Judges can require offenders to cover expenses linked to the seizure and care of a detained dog, shifting part of the enforcement cost burden away from public authorities. Official notes also state that the legislation now distinguishes more clearly between a dog “attacking” livestock and a dog “worrying” livestock; this does not create new offences, but it is intended to better capture incident severity in practice.
From an agri-economic perspective, the package is designed to reduce recurring losses in livestock systems and improve confidence in enforcement for rural communities. The UK government linked the law to its broader Animal Welfare Strategy for England and to renewed work of the Responsible Dog Ownership taskforce. Farmers are being advised to report incidents quickly and preserve evidence, while dog owners are urged to keep animals under control around grazing and moved stock.