Dogs off the leash will be seized if they attack livestock

DOG walkers are to have their pets seized by the police if they let them “terrorise livestock”, under laws being drawn up by the government.

Officers will have beefed up powers to detain dogs if they believe they have “attacked or worried livestock”, in a move that will seek to address a longstanding source of tension in many rural communities.

Farmers believe the problem was made worse by a proliferation of “lockdown puppies” which were bought during the pandemic and are “less socialised”.

A private members’ Bill, which is backed by the Government, will enable police to deal with dogs which chase, attack, or cause distress to livestock. This can lead to suffering, injury, or even death to the animals involved.

Steve Barclay, the Environment Secretary, said the legislation would give police the powers they need to “take on people who let their dogs terrorise livestock”.

He said: “As well as being emotionally difficult, the financial impact of killed and injured livestock on hardworking farmers cannot be underestimated.

“We will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the farming community, which is why we are taking this strong step.”

Under current laws, only the owner can be prosecuted when dogs worry livestock. This means there is no way for police to deal with dogs which attack farm animals while roaming in the countryside on their own.

But under the new legisl–tion – which is an amendment to the Protection of Livestock Act 1953 – dogs can be seized and detained by officers in the most serious cases.

Police will also be given the power to take evidence samples from livestock and dogs to assist with their investigations of the crimes.

Government plans to strengthen the law on livestock worrying were stalled when the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill was withdrawn in June last year.

Now the provisions have returned in a private member’s Bill, which was introduced by former environment secretary Thérèse Coffey and will have its

third reading in the Commons this week. Ms Coffey said: “A dog off the leash can be a real menace to livestock. No longer will victims of this crime feel helpless after suffering devastating attacks. Farmers will be able to breathe a sigh of relief. Those who carelessly let dogs attack livestock will no longer get off scot-free.”

Sam Durham, chief land management adviser at the National Farmers Union (NFU), said dog worrying had become much worse after the pandemic owing to the rise in “lockdown puppies”.

He said the increase in dog ownership had led to problems as there are “more dogs around which are less socialised” and people often do not know how to control them, particularly when they are off their lead. David Barton, the NFU’s livestock board chair, said livestock worrying can have a significant financial impact on farmers, as well as causing them “stress and anguish” to see their animals suffer.

Farm animals worth an estimated £2.4 million were severely injured or killed by dogs in 2023, up nearly 30 per cent from the previous year, according to figures from the insurer NFU mutual.

Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual’s rural affairs specialist, said farmers “lived in fear of repeat attacks” by dogs which cause “horrific suffering” to livestock.

The Dogs Trust, the canine welfare charity, advises that dogs are kept on a short lead and close to the owner in the countryside.