Dog owners in England and Wales now face unlimited fines if their pets worry or attack farm animals, following a significant legal change passed by Parliament. The new legislation also extends crucial protections to include camelids like llamas and alpacas for the first time.
What the New Law Changes
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill successfully completed its passage through the House of Lords on Friday and now awaits royal assent to become law. This update to the 1953 Act introduces several key changes that strengthen the legal framework around livestock attacks.
Most notably, the law removes the previous £1,000 cap on financial penalties. Courts will now have the power to impose unlimited fines on irresponsible dog owners whose animals cause injury or distress to livestock. Furthermore, the scope of the legislation has been broadened to cover not just fields and enclosures, but also roads and paths where incidents frequently occur.
Broadened Protections for Farmers and Animals
A major victory for rural communities is the explicit inclusion of camelids within the definition of protected livestock. This means llamas, alpacas, and similar animals will now receive the same legal safeguards as traditional farm animals like sheep, cattle, goats, and poultry.
Steering the Bill through the Lords, Conservative peer Baroness Therese Coffey highlighted the devastating impact of livestock worrying. "It can be horrific, causing brutal injuries that are tragically often fatal," she stated. She also pointed to less visible consequences, including stress-induced miscarriages in pregnant animals and the separation of mothers from young, leading to hypothermia and starvation.
Support from the Farming Community and Government
The legislation has been warmly welcomed by agricultural groups and cross-party politicians. The National Farmers' Union (NFU) campaigned vigorously for the tougher measures. NFU Vice-President Rachel Hallos said the law would give police better powers to investigate and prosecute, while sending a clear message on responsible dog ownership in the countryside.
In the House of Lords, Labour's animals minister, Baroness Hayman of Ullock, emphasised the Bill's dual role as a deterrent and a confidence-restorer for rural communities who live in fear of such attacks. Fellow Conservative peer Lord Colgrain called it "the best possible Christmas present to all livestock owners."
The Bill was originally introduced to the House of Commons by Tory MP Aphra Brandreth. Once it receives royal assent, the updated Act will mark one of the most significant steps in decades to combat the emotional and financial toll of livestock worrying on the UK's farming sector.