Dog owners in England and Wales could now be hit with unlimited financial penalties if their pets are caught worrying farm animals, under a significant tightening of the law that came into force on Friday 5 December 2025.
What the new legislation changes
The updated law removes the previous cap that limited fines to £1,000, meaning courts can now impose unlimited fines for offences. The legislation has also been expanded to explicitly protect camelids, such as llamas and alpacas, granting them the same legal status as traditional livestock like sheep and cattle.
The Bill was championed by Conservative peer and former deputy prime minister, Baroness Therese Coffey. She highlighted the severe emotional and financial damage that livestock attacks inflict on both animals and farmers.
Enhanced powers for police and farmers
In a major shift, the scope of the offence has been broadened beyond fields to include public roads and pathways. This change offers greater reassurance to farmers when they are moving their herds between locations.
Furthermore, police officers have been granted new authority to seize dogs suspected of being involved in, or posing a risk of, repeated attacks on livestock. This power aims to prevent further incidents while investigations are underway.
The impact on dog owners and rural communities
The move signals a tougher stance on irresponsible dog ownership in the countryside. The threat of an unlimited fine is intended to act as a powerful deterrent, encouraging all owners to keep their dogs under proper control around farm animals.
For rural communities, the strengthened law is seen as a vital step in protecting livelihoods and animal welfare. The inclusion of roads and paths closes a previous loophole and reflects the reality of how livestock are managed across the British landscape.
