19/03/2026
| Changes to the law on dogs & livestock. 🚨
From today, new rules and tougher penalties are in force to better protect farm animals and support rural communities.
It is now an offence if a dog:
• Worries or attacks livestock
• Chases, stalks, or frightens livestock
• Causes stress, injury, death, miscarriage
A dog does NOT need to bite or make physical contact for an offence to be committed.
These protections apply on farmland and on public paths or roads where livestock are present.
Under the updated law, police now have powers to:
• Seize dogs involved in livestock worrying
• Enter premises with a warrant
• Obtain DNA and other evidence
• Recover costs from offenders
• Issue unlimited fines through the courts
As a dog owner, you need to:
• Keep your dog under effective control - we recommend a short lead near livestock.
• If cattle start chasing you, the safest action is to let go of the lead. Dogs can usually run much faster than cattle and escape.
Please share this post and help your dog, and other animals.
More advice here 👉 https://bit.ly/4cgJtUk
