NEW LAWS FROM MARCH 2026

Hi folks,

The law on dogs and livestock is changing.

From March 2026 , tougher penalities and new police powers will be in force to protect farm animals and to support rural communities.

It will now be an offence if a dog carries out the following :-

Attacks Livestock

Chases, stalks or frightens livestock.

Causes stress, injury, death, miscarriage or loss of produce.

A dog does NOT need to touch an animal for an offence to occur.

The law covers a wide range of livestock including:-

🐑 Sheep

🐄 Cattle

🐐Goats

🐖 Pigs

🐴 Horses

🐓🦃🦆 Poultry including chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese

🦙 Alpacas and Llamas

These protections apply on farmland and around public footpaths or roads where livestock are present.

Under the new updated law police have the following powers:-

Seize dogs involved in distressing livestock.

Enter premises with a warrant

Take DNA and other evidence

Recover costs from offenders

Courts issue unlimited fines.

So as a responsible dog owner the following is what you need to do:-

Keep dogs under close control near to any livestock.

Always use a lead in a field where there is livestock.

Public rights of way included.

Remember - YOUR DOG - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

#protectourruralanimals