Livestock worth £152,000 were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in Northern Ireland during 2025.
That’s according to new estimates from rural insurance company NFU Mutual.
In light of the recent statistics, the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) has renewed its call for responsible dog ownership ahead of a busy lambing season.
While the NFU Mutual figures show a 30% decrease compared to the previous year, the UFU has stressed that “even one attack is one too many,” particularly at a time when pregnant ewes and newborn lambs are at their most vulnerable.
UFU deputy president John McLenaghan said that the financial cost only tells “part of the story”.
“Behind every figure is a farming family who has had to deal with the devastating aftermath of a dog attack.
“The £152,000 figure represents significant losses, but it does not capture the emotional toll, the trauma to livestock, or the long-term impact on flock performance,” McLenaghan noted.
Livestock worrying
The UFU warned that livestock worrying remains a “serious and persistent issue” in Northern Ireland, with many attacks occurring when dogs are off lead or escape from gardens.
The union also highlighted that “any dog can cause harm”, regardless of its breed or temperament.
McLenaghan said: “Even if there is no physical contact, the stress alone can cause pregnant ewes to abort lambs or young lambs to become separated from their mothers.
“The responsibility lies firmly with dog owners.
“If you are walking in the countryside and there are sheep or cattle in nearby fields, your dog must be always kept on a lead and under control,” he advised to pet owners.
The union urged members of the public to be mindful that livestock worrying is a criminal offence under Northern Ireland legislation.
McLenaghan outlined that dog attacks must be reported to the local dog warden and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
He added: “Farmers should not have to live with the fear of repeat attacks.
“Stronger awareness, responsible ownership, and consistent enforcement are essential if we are to see meaningful progress.”
Northern Ireland’s £152,000 sum forms part of the overall cost of livestock worrying across the UK in 2025, which is estimated to be as high as £1.95 million, according to NFU Mutual.
This total represents a 10% increase in the cost of dog attacks on livestock compared to last year.
In England, the midlands was the worst-hit region by cost, with dog attacks on livestock costing an estimated £438,000, followed by the south-east costing an estimated £330,000.
Survey
Accompanying the new figures, NFU Mutual has also released findings from a new survey of 1,407 dog owners, which reveal that 57% let their dogs off leads in the countryside.
NFU Mutual highlighted one “alarming” finding, as the survey found that one in 10 dog owners admitted their dog has no recall, while 44% said their dogs came back only ‘some’ or ‘most of the time’.
One in 20 dog owners confessed their dogs had chased livestock, while more than 60% felt that other dog owners in their area did not treat livestock worrying as a serious issue.
Despite this, 72% highlighted they were not actively taking steps to prevent their dogs from chasing and almost two-thirds said they do not believe their dogs are capable of harming or killing animals.
Livestock worrying
This survey comes at a time when the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act was recently passed earlier this year, granting police enhanced powers to address dog attacks on farm animals in England and Wales.
In Wales, 87% of dog owners surveyed thought the new legislation will help reduce livestock worrying, compared to 74% in England.
Scotland and Northern Ireland already have their own livestock worrying legislation.
