Petitions seek law change on packs of hounds that worry sheep

A sheep farmer has launched two online petitions calling for a change in the law to protect livestock from packs of hounds running loose on agricultural land.

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 makes it an offence to allow a dog to chase or attack livestock, or be “at large” (not on a lead or under close control) in a field or enclosure which has sheep.

Section 2A(b) of the Act exempts packs of hounds from rules that require dogs to be on a lead or under close control in farm fields or enclosures containing sheep.

However, farmers whose flocks or herds are killed or injured by a pack of hounds can still launch a prosecution.

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

Essex smallholder Neil Bookless says an amendment to the 1953 Act, made in 1981, which exempts packs of hounds from being under “close control”, is outdated and should be amended.

Mr Bookless, who runs a flock of 60 Gotland sheep for their wool in Felsted, Essex, says the exemption effectively gives a hunt permission to operate without the need to exercise care or consideration for sheep in fields, which can have a devastating effect for any livestock farmer.

Two petitions created

He created the petitions on the UK Parliament petitions website and Change.org following an incident on land he rents on 9 November 2023.

Mr Bookless said two workers in a neighbouring field witnessed a pack of up to 20 hounds rampage through a field he rents for grazing, south of Bardfield.

“Luckily, on this occasion our animals were not physically harmed but, having lost three sheep to dogs in the past few years, we dread what we might find next time,” he added.

Mr Bookless reported the incident to police and said it has left him feeling reluctant to put ewes in the field as they are more likely to run and die or be mauled if chased by loose hounds. 

This has caused significant logistical as well as welfare issues for managing the flock.

“I have lost sleep over what happened. How can I use that field with any sense of security?

“I am living with a constant fear that I will come back to check the flock tomorrow and find a field full of dead sheep,” he added.

Mr Bookless wrote to former Defra secretary George Eustice about the incident and asked the MP for Camborne and Redruth to intervene.

Mr Eustice replied, explaining that he had planned to address the laws on livestock worrying through the Kept Animals Bill while he was secretary of state, which would have modernised and updated the 1953 Act.

“Unfortunately, the current government abandoned the legislation I had started.

“I think they [parliament] would be open to a private members bill to address this issue and modernise the law, but we will see,” said Mr Eustice.

NSA concern

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has also expressed concern about packs of dogs in close proximity to livestock grazing.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “As a prey animal, even the mere presence of an unknown dog can be stressful for a sheep.

“And a dog that is running freely, off lead, perhaps barking and then more seriously chasing and attacking can cause significant harm and even death.”

The Hunting Act 2004 banned the use of dogs in England and Wales to hunt mammals such as foxes, hares and deer, but trail hunts using the scent of animals are allowed to take place.