SAM ROWLANDS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, welcomes a new law to tackle livestock worrying and dog attacks on farm animals.
Mr Rowlands, a dog owner who regularly urges people to keep their pets on leads around farm animals, was commenting after a new law strengthening protections for farm animals against dog attacks came into effect in England and Wales.
He said: “I am pleased to see that the police will now have more powers to provide greater protection against attacks on livestock.
“The new law is most welcome and will allow courts to impose unlimited fines and even prison sentences to owners in the most serious cases.
“It is heart-breaking and very sad when we hear all too often about sheep being attacked and suffering because a dog has been let loose by its owner.
“I am always happy to add my voice to remind dog owners who are walking their pets in the countryside to make sure their animals are kept on a lead especially when near livestock and this new law will hopefully act as a deterrent.”
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025, which will be in place across England and Wales, provides clearer powers for police to seize and detain dogs suspected of involvement in an incident or considered to pose an ongoing threat to livestock.
With significant technological and scientific advancements, police can use these to take DNA samples or mouth impressions from dogs they suspect of worrying livestock.
The new police powers can be used to investigate incidents of livestock worrying that happened before the bill was passed into law in December 2025. The act now also allows courts the ability to impose unlimited fines and even prison sentences to owners in the most serious cases.
Figures released by NFU Cymru’s partners at NFU Mutual last month show farm animals in Wales worth an estimated £385,000 were severely injured or killed in dog attacks last year, up 23% on 2024.
NFU Cymru is pleased to see this change, which comes as a result of long-term NFU and NFU Cymru campaigning.
NFU Cymru President Abi Reader said: “Attacks by dogs on livestock have devastating impacts on farmers, their families and their animals.
“That’s why the NFU has long called for tougher laws to reflect the seriousness of this crime, including wider powers for police and increased penalties for irresponsible dog ownership.”
“I believe these new powers will act as a strong deterrent and will make a real difference to safeguarding our livestock and giving farmers greater confidence that irresponsible dog owners will be held to account.
“The previous £1,000 cap on fines for these offences was not fit for purpose in many instances, but particularly so in cases where it was pedigree stock with strong genetics and long-lasting blood lines, so these new powers mean that farmers will no longer be the ones suffering the emotional and financial toll of this crime.”
