Lords approve unlimited fines for livestock dog attacks
© Tim Scrivener Dog owners in England and Wales will soon face unlimited fines if their pets worry livestock, after a landmark bill to toughen penalties and expand protections cleared the House of Lords.
MPs and peers have agreed to scrap the old £1,000 limit on fines for dog attacks on livestock in both countries.
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill also extends legal safeguards to llamas and alpacas for the first time, placing them alongside sheep, cattle, goats and poultry.
See also: Dog attacks becoming more severe, sheep worrying survey reveals
Introducing the third reading on Friday (5 December), Baroness Coffey (Conservative) said the reforms were vital for rural communities.
“Livestock worrying has devastating consequences for both animals and farmers, and it can be horrific, causing brutal injuries that are tragically often fatal,” she told peers.
She said the Bill would modernise the 1953 Act by strengthening police powers, widening the areas where offences can take place, and enabling officers to collect evidence more effectively (see panel).
The Bill clarifies that offences can occur on roads and paths, with “paths” interpreted in its ordinary meaning, addressing concerns about livestock being moved along tracks and roads
Conservative peer Lord Colgrain said he had “borne personal witness to horrible dog attacks on sheep”, describing the Bill as “the best possible Christmas present to all livestock owners”.
Labour peer Baroness Mallalieu thanked ministers “from grateful sheep owners and dog owners everywhere”.
Edward Howard, the Earl of Effingham, said the legislation delivered “genuine benefit to rural communities”, noting an estimated 34,000 livestock-worrying incidents occur annually in England and Wales.
He also welcomed additional protections for camelids, arguing the Bill would “encourage responsible dog ownership and secure justice for those negatively impacted.”
Responding for the government, Defra minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock said the Bill would “send a clear message that livestock worrying is a serious offence”.
Expanded police powers and tougher fines, she said, were essential to restoring farmer confidence. “The Bill is a truly meaningful step forward in our commitment to animal welfare,” she added.
Scottish law strengthened
Scotland has already strengthened its rules through the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021.
Dog owners face fines of up to £40,000 or 12 months in prison for serious livestock worrying offences, and the definition of livestock includes camelids.
Police also have enhanced powers to investigate incidents. Recorded cases in Scotland fell by 38% in the year to March 2025, though industry groups warn the issue persists.
Industry reaction
The National Sheep Association (NSA) hailed the Lords’ decision as “excellent news”.
Chief executive Phil Stocker said the reforms would give farmers “greater confidence that incidents will be taken seriously and acted upon promptly”.
The Bill now returns to the Commons for final approval before Royal Assent.
Tougher livestock protections: the Bill explained
The bill introduces several improvements for sheep farmers in England and Wales, including:
- Expanded police powers allowing officers to seize and detain dogs suspected of attacking livestock, even when incidents are not witnessed directly
- Provision of warrants for the homes of owners of animals suspected of an offence to support investigations
- Permission to investigate and charge worrying and attack of livestock where they take place on roads and paths, such as when animals are being herded
- Greater clarity in the law with updated definitions of livestock and attacks, ensuring modern farming systems and dog ownership patterns are properly recognised
- Strengthened penalties, including unlimited fines, to help reinforce the seriousness of livestock attacks and sending a clear signal that irresponsible dog ownership will not be tolerated.