A new bill to help tackle livestock worrying has passed its final stage in Parliament, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill will now go to Royal Assent before officially becoming law.
The bill is being amended to give police more powers to punish dog owners if their pets are chasing, threatening, or attacking farm animals.
The scope of legislation is also being extended to better protect alpacas and llamas, and adds roads and paths to the list of locations where a livestock worrying offence can take place.
The RSCPA stated that it “is thrilled to see the law complete its parliamentary journey,” as the law passed the final stage on Friday (December 5).
RSPCA
Holly Gower, who is a RSPCA farm animal welfare expert, explained the impact that livestock worrying can have on farm animals.
She said: “Many dog owners think there is no harm done if their dog momentarily chases farmed animals and comes back quickly without injuring them, but being chased by a dog causes the animal stress and anxiety.”
Gower outlined that livestock worrying can cause a lot of problems for farmed animals, such as pregnancy loss, injury and even death.
The farm animal welfare expert also highlighted the adverse impact on the farmer themselves, “both in terms of their livelihood and the emotional toll of seeing their animals suffer.”
Livestock worrying
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) estimated that dog incidents cost the farming industry nearly £1.8 million across the UK last year, with a particular impact on the sheep sector.
Chief executive for the National Sheep Association (NSA), Phil Stocker welcomed the news regarding the bill reaching its final stages.
He commented: “NSA has worked tirelessly to ensure that the severity of livestock attacks is fully understood and is delighted to see the bill progressing towards becoming law.”
The NSA highlighted that the new bill will introduce the following improvements for sheep farmers in England and Wales:
- Expanded police powers – allowing officers to seize and detain dogs suspected of attacking livestock, even when incidents are not witnessed directly;
- Greater clarity in the law – with updated definitions of livestock and attacks, ensuring modern farming systems and dog ownership patterns are properly recognised;
- Strengthened penalties – helping reinforce the seriousness of livestock attacks and sending a clear signal that irresponsible dog ownership will not be tolerated.
Stocker added: “The improvements contained within the legislation will provide farmers with greater confidence that incidents will be taken seriously and acted upon promptly.”
Pet owners
The RSPCA has warned that livestock worrying is also a welfare concern for dogs too, as they could become injured during an incident
The animal welfare charity noted that it is also lawful for farmers to shoot a dog to protect their farmed animals in some situations.
Harriet Main, who is a public affairs manager at the RSPCA, added that the charity is pleased to see that the amendment is soon to become law, however, it had hoped that more animals were a part of the bill.
She added: “We would have liked to see the bill go even further and expand its scope to include protection for less commonly kept animals such as farmed deer, enclosed gamebirds, ostrich and buffalo, to name a few.
“We would have also liked to see woodland grazing land covered by the bill which would bring this piece of law in line with the measures within Scottish legislation.
“But clearly this law is a massive step forward, and we are pleased that positive steps are being taken that will help keep livestock and dogs safe.
“Ultimately, the best way to protect both dogs and livestock is for owners to keep their dogs on the lead.”
