Livestock worrying
Dogs and livestock: the law, and what to do
Lambing can begin in winter and varies by farm and flock. Here is what every dog owner and trainer needs to know: the law where you live, how to prevent problems, and what to do if something goes wrong.
- £1.95mNFU Mutual estimate of the value of UK livestock severely injured or killed by dogs in 2025, up 10% on 2024.
- Unlimited finesIn England and Wales since 18 March 2026, up from a maximum of £1,000.
- £40,000Maximum fine in Scotland. Up to 12 months in prison, a fine, or both.
01 / Law and responsibility
The law where you live
England and Wales
Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, as amended in 2025
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- Unlimited fines since 18 March 2026.
- Covers roads and paths as well as farmland. A specific exception applies to livestock that have strayed onto a road or path, unless the person causes the dog to attack.
- Livestock now includes llamas and alpacas.
- Attacking livestock is treated separately from worrying it.
- Seizure powers have statutory conditions. For a continuing threat, police need reasonable grounds to believe the dog has attacked or worried livestock and could do so again unless detained. Separate powers cover unclaimed dogs and evidential sampling. Sampling that amounts to veterinary surgery must be done by a veterinary surgeon.
- Following conviction, a court can order reasonable expenses for seizure and detention under the continuing threat provisions.
Scotland
Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021
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- In force since 6 November 2021.
- Up to 12 months in prison, a fine of up to £40,000, or both.
- Courts can disqualify a convicted person from owning or keeping a dog, or from taking a dog onto agricultural land where livestock are present or likely to be present.
- Police have wider powers to investigate.
Northern Ireland
Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983
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- The general rule requires a dog on land with livestock to be on a lead held by someone exercising proper control. Article 25 includes exceptions, such as the occupier’s dog, permission from the occupier and specified working uses. Keep dogs on a lead near livestock and do not assume an exception applies.
- Fines of up to £1,000, and a court can order the dog to be destroyed.
DAERA’s animal welfare consultation closed on 30 June 2026. On 5 October, the Minister confirmed that responses had been analysed and advice was under consideration. The Assembly also agreed a motion calling for a ban on the sale, use and ownership of aversive training tools. The motion did not itself introduce a legal ban.
02 / Prevention
Before you walk near livestock
From the Countryside Code in England:
- It is good practice wherever you are to keep your dog on a lead around livestock.
- On open access land and at the coast, you must put your dog on a lead around livestock.
- Between 1 March and 31 July, you must have your dog on a lead on open access land, even if there is no livestock on the land.
- Let your dog off the lead if you feel threatened by livestock or horses.
- Always clean up after your dog. Dog poo can cause illness in livestock.
In Scotland, follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. In Northern Ireland, the law expects your dog to be on a lead on land with livestock.
03 / Immediate action
If your dog chases or attacks livestock
- Get your dog back under control straight away. Do not chase into the flock. Call your dog back or get to the lead.
- Report through the local route. In England, Wales and Scotland, report to police on 101. In Northern Ireland, report livestock worrying promptly to the local council dog warden, with police involvement where appropriate. Call 999 for an emergency requiring immediate police assistance.
- Tell the farmer or landowner if you can, so injured animals can be found and treated quickly.
- Take responsibility. Owners can be liable for the cost of injured or killed livestock, as well as any fine.
Northern Ireland reporting guidance and local council contacts →
A conditional civil defence, not a general right to shoot. In England and Wales, section 9 of the Animals Act 1971 can provide a defence to a civil claim for injuring or killing a dog. It applies to a person entitled to protect the livestock, acting to protect it, who notifies the officer in charge of a police station within 48 hours. The dog must be worrying or about to worry livestock with no other reasonable means of stopping or preventing it, or have been worrying livestock, remain nearby uncontrolled and have no practicable means of identifying its owner. Reasonable belief is also covered by the section. This does not provide blanket immunity from other laws.
04 / Training and control
How training helps
NFU Mutual puts it plainly: "Regardless of breed, size, or temperament, all dogs can chase, injure or kill livestock." Good intentions are not enough. Use a lead around livestock and appropriate physical management. Recall training cannot guarantee control in every situation.
- A recall that works when sheep, cattle or deer are moving nearby, not just in the garden.
- Calm lead walking past livestock, with no lunging or fixation.
- Gradual, supervised exposure to stock, at a distance the dog can cope with.
- Professional help for dogs with a strong chase drive, before lambing season, not after an incident.
Some professional trainers use remote training aids as part of a supervised plan, where the law allows. E-collars are banned in Wales.
05 / Further reading
Read more from NAPET
06 / Original sources
Sources
View the sources behind this guide
- Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025
- Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021
- The Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983
- Animals Act 1971, section 9
- The Countryside Code (GOV.UK)
- Farmers Weekly: dog attacks on livestock cost farmers £1.95m in 2025 (NFU Mutual figures)
Legal wording and reporting routes reviewed 12 October 2026. Northern Ireland policy note updated 9 October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.