New livestock worrying laws introduced

Gloucestershire Police’s Rural Crime Team are reminding dog owners to be responsible around farm animals following important changes to the law protecting livestock.

As of yesterday (Wednesday 18 March), the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 gives farmers stronger legal protections if dogs attack, chase, stalk or frighten livestock or run loose around their animals.

Under the new amendments to the act, a wide range of animals are now classed as livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, camelids (llamas/alpacas), ostriches, farmed deer, enclosed game birds or poultry.

The act also now recognises incidents of livestock worrying which take place on roads and footpaths as well as in fields and enclosures.

Police officers investigating livestock worrying incidents also have new powers, which include:

• Seizing and detaining dogs suspected of chasing, attacking, or worrying livestock — even when no owner is present at the time.
• Entering premises under warrant to recover items or evidence linked to an investigation.
• Taking forensic samples from dogs, such as DNA or dental impressions, to help identify whether a dog was involved.

The new law change also means the maximum penalty for owners of dogs that attack or worry livestock has increased from £1,000 to an unlimited fine.  

Last month, Gloucestershire Police received a report of two dogs chasing chickens at a farm in the Staunton area. The dogs, which were not on a lead, attacked and killed one of the chickens.

Sergeant Jess Brown from the Rural Crime Team said: “This change to the law is not about restriction, it is about making sure people can continue to enjoy the countryside while keeping livestock safe, protecting animal welfare and supporting the work farmers do every day.

“The loss of livestock can cause farmers significant financial and emotional strain, and although livestock worrying isn’t always intentional, dogs running loose among sheep or cattle can cause them injury and stress.

“It can also cause pregnant ewes to miscarry, so as we enter lambing season, this is timely reminder for dog owners to be responsible for their animals at all times. Keep them under control and on a short lead around livestock."

Naturewatch promote a scheme called Operation Recall which Gloucestershire Constabulary are signed up to, and if you wish to take the pledge you can do so by following this link: https://action.naturewatch.org/take-lead-and-sign-pledge-animals

The rural crime team can be contacted directly on [email protected] or you can call 101 for all none emergency enquiries. For any crime in progress or threat to life please call 999.