08/12/2025
⚠️ Dog owners & walkers: livestock worrying law important update ⚠️
The law on dogs and livestock worrying has recently been updated in Britain. These changes matter and they apply even on public footpaths and rights of way.
This post explains:
• what has changed
• what counts as evidence
• what “under proper control” actually means
• whether seized dogs are killed
What has changed in the law
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) legislation has been modernised. Key points:
➡️ Unlimited fines
The old £1,000 cap has gone. Courts can now impose unlimited fines reflecting the real harm caused.
➡️ More animals protected
'Livestock' now clearly includes alpacas and llamas, as well as sheep, cattle, goats, pigs and others.
➡️ More places covered
The law applies:
– in fields and enclosures
– on public footpaths
– on roads
– while livestock are being moved
➡️ Stronger police powers
Police can now:
– seize and detain dogs
– enter premises with a warrant
– collect forensic evidence
🔴 Worrying vs attacking livestock
This is crucial.
➡️ 'Worrying livestock' includes:
• chasing
• running at
• harassing
• causing fear or panic
• being loose among livestock and not under proper control
No injury or physical contact is needed.
Stress alone is legally recognised harm. It can cause:
• miscarriages
• mis-mothering
• exhaustion
• broken limbs from fleeing
• long-term fear responses
➡️ Attacking livestock involves:
• biting
• grabbing
• injuring
• killing
⚠️Both worrying and attacking are criminal offences.⚠️
What counts as evidence now…
Livestock worrying often happens out of sight. The law now reflects that.
🔴 Evidence may include:
• Injuries to livestock (including stress-related harm)
• Bite marks, wounds, post-mortems
• Blood, tissue, or DNA
• Evidence from the dog (blood, saliva, bite patterns)
• Collars, leads, towels or other items
• Disturbed ground, damaged fencing
• Witness statements
• Livestock behaviour (panic, scattering, distress)
• The dog itself, which may be seized for examination
⚠️ A case does not need someone to witness the moment of chasing if evidence supports what happened.⚠️
What “under proper control” REALLY means
This is the most misunderstood part of the law.
🔴 A dog is under proper control only if the handler can PREVENT it from worrying livestock at all times.
That means the handler must be able to:
• stop the dog before it approaches livestock
• prevent any chasing or rushing
• act instantly not “afterwards”
• maintain control even if animals move or run
If the dog is stopped after it has approached or chased livestock, control was already lost.
➡️ On a lead
A dog on a lead is usually under control only if
• the lead is short enough
• the handler can physically restrain the dog
• the handler is paying attention
Flexi leads, long lines, or dragging leads in livestock areas are often not considered proper control.
➡️ Off lead
A dog can be under proper control off lead but the bar is very high.
If a dog:
• runs towards livestock
• hesitates before recall
• “only chases for a bit”
• comes back after animals flee
.......it is not under proper control.
“Friendly”, “well trained”, or “never done it before” makes no difference in law.
⚠️NB Presence alone can be an offence⚠️
A loose dog among livestock, fence-running, or stalking can already count as worrying, even without a chase.
The law is about risk and stress, not intent.
A practical rule used in policing: If a reasonable livestock keeper would feel at risk with that dog there, it is not under proper control.
⚠️ Are seized dogs killed?⚠️
No not usually, dogs are not automatically destroyed under livestock worrying law.
Dogs may be seized:
• to prevent repeat incidents
• to gather evidence
• during investigation
Courts usually focus on owner responsibility, not punishing the dog. Destruction orders are rare and would only arise under other legislation if a dog posed an unmanaged, serious risk.
In short
⚠️ Livestock do not need to be bitten for an offence
⚠️ Stress and chasing are recognised harm
⚠️ Evidence can be physical and forensic
⚠️ “Proper control” means preventing risk, not recalling afterwards
⚠️ Responsibility rests with the handler
This law exists to protect animals who cannot escape or speak for themselves and to make expectations clear for everyone who shares the countryside.
🔴 Please feel free to share as clarity prevents heartbreak. 🔴
This post is a general summary of current UK livestock-worrying law and practice, based on publicly available legislation and guidance. It is not legal advice and cannot account for individual circumstances.
