Dog owners are being reminded to keep their pets on a short lead near farm animals as new legislation comes into effect, strengthening protections for livestock.
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 affords farmers increased protection against livestock worrying from today, 18 March.
Livestock worrying can happen when a dog attacks, chases, or is loose among farm animals, including sheep and cattle.
Dogs don’t need to make contact through a bite to cause harm. Fear and stress alone can cause animals to abort their young, suffer significant injury, or die.
In one incident near Clipstone, a farmer found one of his sheep had been killed and two others injured after checking on his flock in December 2025.
An assessment from a vet concluded the deep cuts to the legs and body were likely to have been caused by a dog.
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Nottinghamshire Police officers now have greater powers under the Act, including being able to seize and detain a dog and take forensic DNA samples from it, where officers have reasonable grounds to believe the dog has attacked or worried livestock.
Irresponsible dog owners can also face an unlimited fine under the law changes.
Although sheep are most commonly affected, llamas, alpacas, cattle, goats, pigs, horses, ostriches, farmed deer, and ducks are also protected by the new legislation.
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NFU Mutual, the rural insurer, found that farm animals worth an estimated £1.95m were severely injured or killed by dogs in 2025, a rise of 10 per cent from the previous year.
The Midlands was the worst-hit region by cost, with dog attacks on livestock costing an estimated £438,000, it said.
The National Sheep Association’s survey of farmers in 2025 found that 87 per cent of sheep farmers had experienced a dog attack on their flock.
Chief Inspector Clive Collings, Nottinghamshire Police’s rural and wildlife crime lead, said:
“Many dog owners may be unaware of livestock worrying or may think that their dog momentarily chasing farm animals is harmless.
“The unfortunate reality is that it can cause needless suffering and can lead to the death of affected animals.
“The impact on farmers and other keepers of livestock cannot be understated – they face significant financial loss and personal distress.
“It is currently peak lambing season, and the best way to protect both dogs and livestock is for owners to keep their pets on a short lead anywhere near livestock.
“This refreshed legislation extends to include livestock worrying and attacks that take place on roads and footpaths and isn’t confined to fields.
“These new powers allow officers to take stronger action against irresponsible dog owners whose dogs are proven to have caused unnecessary harm to livestock.
“We know this is an underreported issue, and I would encourage members of the public, particularly in rural areas, to report concerns to us so that officers can act.
“Responsible dog owners can help protect livestock, support farmers, and enjoy the countryside by keeping their pets on a short lead.”
