16/03/2026
Copied from a post today...
In the newspaper.
I know there are a lot of pet owners on here so this may be important to people.
I am sure we are all responsible dog owners, but keeping your dog on a lead when out walking is very important.
Need to know: UK Pet Owners Face Major Legal Changes With Unlimited Fines
Dog owners across England and Wales face a major legal change coming into force this month, with non-compliance potentially resulting in unlimited fines and animal removal.
New dog walking regulations take effect on 18 March 2026, dramatically increasing penalties for livestock attacks from £1,000 to unlimited fines. Police will gain expanded powers to seize and detain dogs where there's reasonable belief they could attack livestock again.
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: "Livestock worrying can happen when a dog attacks, chases or is loose among livestock. Dogs don't need to make contact for harm to occur."
The legislative change impacts people whose dogs attack livestock and will see potential fines increase from £1,000 to unlimited, plus 'the power to seize and detain a dog where they have reasonable grounds to believe there is a risk that the dog could attack or worry livestock again. '.
It gives police the powers to enter and search premises to identify, seize and detain a dog for the prevention of future incidents, to collect samples or impressions, or seize any other evidence
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs explained: "Livestock worrying can happen when a dog attacks, chases or is loose among livestock. Dogs don't need to make contact for harm to occur. Fear and stress alone can harm livestock, and, in severe cases, cause them to die. "The impact on livestock keepers can be devastating. They face financial loss as well as personal distress."
It introduces a new defence for dog owners to exempt them from liability where the dog was in the charge of another person at the time of the offence without the owner’s consent, for instance if the dog was stolen
New powers allowing a court to order an offender to pay expenses associated with seizing and detaining a dog
It 'provides a clear deterrent' by increasing the penalty from a fine of up to £1,000 to an unlimited fine
Has anyone seen this post....
Many Thanks
Kevin
