NSA warns of increased sheep worrying risk this summer

With peak summer holiday season in full swing across the UK and an increasing number of holidaymakers heading for the British countryside, farmers are concerned about their livestock being attacked.

Despite significant industry efforts and awareness campaigns over recent years, dog attacks on livestock remain a major concern and, according to NFU Mutual figures, cost the industry £1.8m in 2024.

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is now calling on holidaymakers to keep their pet dogs on a lead when walking in the countryside this summer, especially as they might not be familiar with the area they’re visiting.

See also: Livestock worrying bill makes progress in Parliament

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “It is crucially important that dog owners must be aware of the serious issue of sheep worrying by dogs and take action to be a responsible dog owner while enjoying their holidays this summer.”

Change in legislation

Under the current legislation, the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, it is an offence to allow a dog to worry livestock, with fines of up to £1,000.

However, changes through an amendment bill will see the definition of what constitutes an offence change, give increased powers for investigation of suspected offences. The bill also expands the range of locations where offences can occur to include roads and public paths.

The much-anticipated legislation is one step closer to becoming law after it successfully passed its third reading in the House of Commons last week.

NSA policy manager Nicola Noble said: “It is important for dog owners to know that the bill aims to increase the maximum penalty for a dog attack on livestock and so not only could their actions result in harm to animals attacked, in the near future it could also result in increased financial penalties for themselves.”

Resources

Information for dog walkers on how to avoid being involved in incidents while out enjoying the countryside this summer is available on the NSA website.

A range of signage that sheep farmers can display to alert walkers to the presence of nearby livestock is also available, and sheep farmers are encouraged to record incidents through the NSA sheep worrying case log.