12/03/2026
⚠️IMPORTANT CHANGES IN THE LAW THAT COULD AFFECT YOU⚠️
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) 2025 comes in to effect from 18TH MARCH 2026 in England and Wales and will give farmers clearer and stronger legal protections against livestock worrying.
🔺What you need to know🔺
1. Attacking livestock and worrying livestock will now be separate offences
2. The law will now extend to worrying and attacks on roads and paths aswell
3. The law will now also include and protect camelids (such as Alpacas and Llamas)
4. The law will also introduce a new defence for owners where the dog was in the charge of another person WITHOUT the owners consent (e.g. in the case of dog theft)
5. The police will now have new and improved powers to seize and detain a dog, take DNA samples and impressions from a dog, enter and search premises and seize any other evidence
6. The fine for attacking or worrying livestock will now increase from up to £1,000 to an unlimited fine
A dog does not need to make physical contact with animals to commit an offence under the new law. Chasing or disturbing livestock can cause harm. You must be in control of your dog when walking in the countryside. If you are not 100% confident in your dog’s recall, they should be kept on a lead.
