Stronger laws, stronger message: new powers to tackle sheep worrying

Long-awaited changes to livestock worrying legislation are now in force across England and Wales, marking a significant step forward in protecting sheep and other farm animals from dog attacks.

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025, which came into effect on 18th March 2026, introduces tougher penalties, wider definitions of offences and, crucially, new powers for police to investigate incidents more effectively.

For sheep farmers who have long called for tightened laws, the changes represent real progress, but the scale of the issue means continued awareness and education remain essential.

 One of the most significant updates to the new legislation is the increase in penalties. Previously capped at £1,000, courts can now impose unlimited fines on those responsible for offences. Offenders may also be required to pay compensation to farmers, including costs for veterinary care and livestock losses.

The law also broadens what constitutes an offence, now clearly including not just attacks, but chasing or being loose among sheep, even where no physical contact occurs. This recognises the serious harm stress alone can cause.

Importantly for many farms, incidents taking place on roads and public paths are now also explicitly covered.

A major barrier to successful prosecutions in the past has been lack of evidence. The updated law directly addresses this by equipping police with stronger investigative powers.

Officers can now seize and detain suspected dogs and enter premises to locate animals or gather evidence.

NSA has welcomed these measures but is awaiting the first successful prosecutions, which have historically been limited despite the severity of attacks, as a sign of its positive impact.

For further detail on the new updated legislation click here.