Campaign launched to tackle livestock worrying in Eryri

Walkers are being urged to keep dogs under control in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) this summer to protect livestock and wildlife, as schools break up for the holiday season in Wales.

The campaign forms part of Eryri National Park Authority’s This is My Home initiative, supported by the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), NFU Cymru, the Country Land and Business Association and North Wales Police.

See also: New livestock-worrying laws coming into force

FUW representatives joined Eryri National Park Authority at the foot of the Llanberis Path over the weekend (25-26 July), using the busy route to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) to remind hundreds of visitors to keep dogs under control to protect livestock, working farm dogs and ground-nesting birds.

Impact on farming communities

It follows figures obtained by the FUW through a Freedom of Information request showing more than 80 livestock attacks were reported across the North Wales Police area during 2024, underlining the continuing impact of livestock worrying on farming communities.

The awareness drive also comes after the introduction of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025, which gives police stronger powers to investigate livestock attacks.

Officers can now seize and detain dogs suspected of worrying livestock, enter premises to gather evidence, including animal DNA, and courts can impose unlimited fines following the removal of the previous £1,000 cap.

Simon Llewelyn Roberts, senior warden at Eryri National Park Authority, said: “Eryri is home to internationally important wildlife, working farms and grazing livestock, all of which help make the National Park such a special place to visit.

“Responsible dog ownership plays a vital role in protecting livestock, safeguarding vulnerable ground-nesting birds and preserving this unique landscape for future generations.

“Simply keeping dogs under close control or preferably on a lead can make a real difference in protecting the people, animals and habitats that make Eryri so special.”

Summer holiday increase

FUW head of communications Aled Morgan Hughes said livestock attacks typically increased during the busy summer months as more people visited the countryside with dogs.

“These incidents place a significant emotional and economic burden on farming families, with livestock suffering serious injury or death and farmers left to deal with the financial losses and lasting distress that follow.

“Raising awareness is key to preventing these incidents before they happen,” he added.