Menu

Police handed new powers to crack down on livestock worrying

Philip Case 09 June 2021
>More in
© NFU Cymru© NFU Cymru

Police have been given new powers to tackle dog attacks on livestock in England and Wales, which have increased during the coronavirus pandemic.

Farmers have reported a rising number of attacks on sheep and other stock as dog ownership has increased since the start of the pandemic last spring.

Farming organisations, including the National Farmers Union (NFU) and National Sheep Association (NSA), have spent years campaigning for tougher penalties for irresponsible dog owners who allow their pets to roam free in the countryside and attack livestock – and the government has finally decided to act.

See also: What to do if you’re a victim of… sheep worrying

The attacks have devastating consequences for livestock keepers, causing personal distress as well as significant financial costs through vets’ bills and lost time.

Improved powers will enable the police to respond to livestock worrying incidents more effectively – making it easier for them to collect evidence and, in the most serious cases, seize and detain dogs to reduce the risk of further incidents.

Other measures include:

  • A new power to take samples from livestock and dogs suspected of an offence, which will help the police investigate these crimes
  • Modifying powers of entry, which mean police can enter premises to identify and/or seize a dog or any items they believe to be evidence of an offence
  • Making dog control, disqualification and destruction orders available to the courts upon a conviction for the offence
  • Increasing the scope of livestock species and locations covered by the law, such as llamas, emus, enclosed deer and donkeys.

The NFU welcomed the new powers, which are being introduced in the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill.

Tougher fines needed – NFU

But the union urged the government to go further and increases maximum fines for the most serious livestock worrying incidents in line with Scotland, where dog owners can be fined up to £40,000, whereas in England it is £1,000.

“We would also like to see a clear rule that dogs should always be on a lead around livestock,” said NFU deputy president Stuart Roberts. “We believe the current wording that a dog has to be under ‘close control’ around livestock causes confusion for dog owners, farmers and the police.”

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “Due to the pandemic there are more people with more time to walk dogs than in the past and dog ownership has increased markedly – all of which have added to an increased threat to livestock and livelihoods. 

“The NSA welcomes this new Kept Animals Bill that we hope will strengthen legislation to support local police forces and rural crime teams in resolving and, hopefully, stopping these incidents.”

Sgt Rob Taylor, manager of North Wales Police’s rural crime team, added: ““This is all about responsible dog ownership, and education and enforcement are both vitally important, so this new law will really make the difference”

See more