MP’s bill seeks unlimited fines for livestock worrying
© Tim Scrivener MPs have backed plans to give police greater powers to respond to livestock worrying incidents and tougher penalties for offenders.
Former Defra secretary Therese Coffey’s Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) bill, which applies to England and Wales, cleared its third reading in parliament last week when it was further debated by MPs.
Currently, the maximum fine for livestock worrying is £1,000 in England and Wales and £40,000 in Scotland.
See also: What to do if you’re a victim of… sheep worrying
Ms Coffey’s bill includes an amendment to increase the penalties for offences in England and Wales to an unlimited fine.
The Conservative MP for Suffolk Coastal said this “flexibility” would allow courts “discretion to adjust the fines accordingly, in line with what the public would expect”.
Her bill also includes plans to give police greater powers so that they can respond more effectively to the worrying or attacking of livestock by dogs.
Police officers would be able to seize a dog or dogs that they believe has been involved in an incident when the owner is not present, search properties and take samples and collect dental impressions.
Ms Coffey’s bill was roundly supported by cross-party MPs.
Shadow Defra secretary Steve Reed said a growing number of farmers were telling him regularly about their personal experiences of dogs chasing or attacking their animals.
“Livestock worrying causes havoc for farmers up and down the country,” he told fellow MPs.
“The vast majority of dogs are lovable and good-natured family pets, and most owners are responsible and would never dream of letting their pet chase down, never mind attack, livestock in fields.
“However, a small minority of dogs are not kept under control, and run loose and aggressively chase down, attack and sometimes even kill livestock, leaving farmers to deal with the stress of their animals’ injury and death.”
Emotional and financial impact
NFU Livestock Board chairman David Barton said the union was grateful to Ms Coffey for bringing forward the private members’ bill to tackle livestock worrying, adding that it was working closely to ensure the legislation passes through the Commons.
“Livestock worrying and dog attacks causes stress and aguish for farmers seeing their animals suffering, in addition to the significant financial impact,” he added.
“No matter how in control dog owners think they are, they should keep their pets on a short lead around livestock and also ensure their pets do not escape from houses and gardens and roam free.”