Livestock Worrying Laws: What Has Changed, When It Changed, and the Practical Impact on Dog Ownership and Training

Livestock worrying is a serious issue with real consequences for farmers, livestock, dog owners, and dogs themselves. There is broad agreement across the canine and agricultural sectors that livestock must be protected and that irresponsible dog ownership should carry meaningful consequences.

However, recent legal changes, particularly in England, represent a significant shift in how livestock worrying is enforced, the powers granted to authorities, and the level of risk assumed by dog owners and professionals when dogs are exercised, trained, or worked in real-world environments.

This article sets out, clearly and factually, what has changed in the law, when those changes occurred, and why the practical implications matter, especially in the context of ongoing discussions around restricting evidence-based training methods.

England: Key Legal Update

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025

The most significant recent development is the passage of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025, which updates and strengthens the original 1953 legislation.

While aspects of the Act aim to improve livestock protection, it also fundamentally alters the risk landscape for dog ownership and training in public and rural spaces.

Timeline of Key Events (England)

• Early 2024 – Government discussions and parliamentary briefings identified livestock worrying laws as outdated and insufficiently enforceable.

• 2024–2025 – The Amendment Bill progressed through Parliament, with emphasis placed on deterrence, enforcement, and increased police powers.

• 18 December 2025 – The Act received Royal Assent, formally becoming law.

• March 2026 – The Act is scheduled to come into force, allowing time for enforcement bodies to prepare.

What Has Changed Under the 2025 Act (England)

Once in force, the updated law introduces several changes that significantly affect dog owners and professionals.

1. Increased Penalties

• The maximum fine for livestock worrying increases from £1,000 to an unlimited fine.

• This represents a substantial escalation in financial risk associated with any incident, including situations where intent or malice is absent.

2. Expanded Locations

• Livestock worrying offences are no longer limited to agricultural land.

• The offence can now apply on roads, public footpaths, bridleways, and access routes where livestock may be present.

• This materially increases the environments in which owners may be exposed to legal consequences.

3. Expanded Definition of Livestock

• The definition of livestock now includes camelids, such as alpacas and llamas.

• This reflects modern farming practices but further broadens the scope of potential offences.

4. Increased Police Powers

• Police are granted enhanced powers to investigate suspected livestock worrying incidents.

• This includes greater authority to gather evidence and pursue enforcement action.

Taken together, these changes significantly reduce the margin for error and place greater responsibility and liability on dog owners, even in routine exercise or training scenarios.

The Wider UK Context

While this article focuses on England, it is important to note that similar or stronger approaches already exist elsewhere in the UK.

• Wales
  Wales follows the same amended legislation as England, with identical penalties, offence definitions, and enforcement powers.

• Scotland
  Scotland operates under separate legislation that already includes substantially higher penalties, including large fines and potential custodial sentences, alongside robust enforcement powers.

• Northern Ireland
  Northern Ireland has its own framework, where allowing a dog to worry livestock is a criminal offence and dogs must be under strict control near livestock.

Across all UK nations, the consistent trend is toward stronger enforcement, broader offence definitions, and increased consequences.

Practical Impact on Dog Ownership and Training

From a professional perspective, these changes alter the practical reality of dog ownership and training in the UK.

• Off-lead exercise carries increased legal risk

• Real-world training environments are more tightly regulated

• The consequences of a single mistake are now significantly higher

This is particularly relevant for:

• Working breeds

• High prey-drive dogs

• Dogs bred for predation, chase, or environmental engagement

For these dogs, effective training is not optional — it is the foundation that allows safe off-lead freedom, reliable recall, and responsible integration into public spaces.

The Compounding Issue: Training Tool Restrictions

Alongside these legal changes, there are ongoing policy discussions around restricting or banning certain training tools, including e-collars.

From a professional standpoint, the concern is not ideological, but practical:

• Legal responsibility is increasing

• Enforcement powers are expanding

• Yet the range of lawful, evidence-based training options may be reduced

This combination risks:

• Making off-lead activity increasingly impractical

• Forcing dogs into greater confinement

• Increasing stress and behavioural fallout

• Ultimately reducing quality of life for dogs and owners alike

NAPET’s Position

NAPET supports livestock welfare and responsible dog ownership.
We also support proportionate lawmaking that recognises how dogs are actually trained, managed, and worked in real environments.

Our position is clear:

• Welfare improves through education, competence, and ethical practice

• Not through removing effective tools while increasing liability

• Not through enforcement alone, without practical solutions

As responsibility and penalties increase, it is essential that:

• Evidence-based training methods remain accessible

• Professional judgement is respected

• Policy is informed by real-world outcomes, not assumptions

In Summary

• England’s livestock worrying laws have been significantly strengthened

• The Act received Royal Assent in December 2025

• Enforcement begins in March 2026

• Similar or stronger approaches exist across the UK

• Legal risk for dog owners and professionals has increased

• Simultaneous restriction of training options risks unintended welfare consequences

NAPET will continue to engage constructively, share accurate information and advocate for balanced, evidence-based approaches that protect livestock without undermining responsible dog ownership or canine welfare.