It happens in seconds – a loose dog, a panicked flock, and irreversible damage. In March of this year, an amendment to livestock worrying laws stepped in to confront a problem that has been quietly escalating across the British countryside.
The updated law highlights the importance of being aware, keeping control of your dog, and acting responsibly around livestock. By following simple guidance and understanding your dog’s behaviour, walkers can help prevent incidents, protect farm animals, and keep the countryside safer for everyone.
Why the law has changed
Through 2025, UK farm animals worth nearly £2 million were injured or killed by dogs – up 10% on the previous year.
It also seems as though a surprising number of dogs are allowed to run free, without the skills of recall. The NFU Mutual study also found 57% of people let their dogs off lead in the countryside, but 44% say their dogs only come back ‘some’ or ‘most of the time’.
These figures highlight why the legislation has been updated: to better protect livestock, support farmers, and encourage greater responsibility from dog owners in rural spaces.
What is the new law?
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 strengthens protections against what's known as "livestock worrying". The law came into effect on 18 March 2026 in England and Wales, and means that attacking, chasing, running at, or causing distress to livestock are now all illegal. Such behaviours can lead to an unlimited fine and see your pet taken away.
The amendment also gives police new powers to seize dogs believed to pose an ongoing threat to livestock and to enter premises to secure evidence or animal DNA. It now includes roads and public paths, not just private farmland, and broadens the definition of ‘livestock’ to include alpacas and llamas.
What this new law means for dog owners
Regardless of how good your dog’s recall is, the latest change in the law affects how you walk your canine friend.
The law requires dog owners to be more aware of their surroundings and to understand their dog’s behaviour to avoid livestock attacks. “If you know your dog is going to hyper fixate, bark, chase or worse, then you've got to avoid areas where livestock might be,” advises behaviourist Clair Hickson, of Talk to the Paw in South Gloucestershire. And it’s not just big or herding breeds – dogs of all shapes and sizes can do damage.
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How to keep livestock safe on dog walks – and avoid getting fined
1. Put your dog on a lead
So, how can you prevent your dog from causing harm and getting into legal trouble? Clair is clear: “Your dog must be on the lead. Anywhere where livestock may be in an adjacent field or visible, you’ve got to put your dog on the lead.”
If that sounds like a big adjustment, Clair has a useful compromise: “I tend to use a waist lead with a bungee on it, so my dog's got a little bit more freedom, and my hands are free too.” You can also get dog-walking bum bags for hands-free storage, to ensure your hands are free at all times.
2. Master recall
If you are going to let your dog off lead, you need to know you'll be able to get them back if you need to. Recall is one of the most important tools in a dog walker's repertoire, so make sure you master that before you let them off lead. You could try using a dog whistle to train and practice recall.
3. Learn (and control) its hyperarousal behaviours
Even on a lead, you must control your dog’s behaviour around livestock, as an on-lead dog could still be guilty of livestock worrying. Learn what your dog does when it enters hyperarousal – when prey or chase behaviour is likely to become problematic – and act early.
“All dogs follow a pattern when they're entering predatory mode,” Clair explains. “It starts with orientating to the prey. Dogs first detect things through smell, sound, or sight – sniffing the air or ground, pricking their ears, or freezing and focusing – before orienting themselves toward whatever has caught their attention.”
This is the moment to act – move your leashed dog in the opposite direction of the livestock immediately, as, “next in the sequence is stalk and chase,” warns Clair. And trying to control an on-lead dog in chase mode is difficult. “Pressure on the lead will trigger frustration, and they’ll pull harder; they may bark; or, if you call their name, they won’t hear you.” All potentially worrisome to livestock.
Top image: Keeping your dog on a lead can help avoid conflict with livestock (credit: Getty Images)
