Legal Update - 18 March 2026
From 18 March 2026, the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 amends the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1983. The main changes are summarised below:
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In section 1 of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1983, ‘attack’ is no longer within the definition of ‘worrying’ in subsection (2), the offence under subsection (1) now expressly includes the separate acts of a dog ‘attacking’ or ‘worrying’ livestock.
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The location of where the offence can be committed is widened to include a road or a path in addition to any agricultural land.
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New subsection (3A) is inserted to provide a further defence so that a person is not guilty of this offence if livestock stray from where they are kept, onto a road or path (unless the person has caused the dog to attack the livestock).
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The defence in subsection (4) is widened in so far as an owner of dog shall not be convicted of any offence under this section if they can prove that the dog was in the charge of another person and either the owner reasonably believed that person to be fit and proper or that they did not consent to the person having charge of the dog.
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‘Camelids’, that being mammals of the camel family such as camels, alpacas and llamas, are now included in the definition of ‘livestock’ for the purposes of this Act (section 3).
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Section 2 of the Act has been substituted, and provides for the seizure and detention of dogs by constables in 2 scenarios.
The first scenario is contained in subsection (2) is where a constable has reasonable grounds to believe that a dog has attacked or worried livestock on agriculture land, a road or path and is found without an owner or person in charge present with it. The section gives constables the power to seize and detain the dog until the owner claims the dog and has paid the relevant expenses in relation to its seizure and detention. Where no owner comes forward to claim the dog, the section provides a process whereby the constable may rehome or dispose of the dog. The section provides a duty on the chief officers of police forces to keep a register of all dogs seized under section 2(1). It must include the information specified in subsection (5) and must be available for public inspection.
The second scenario is under subsection (8) and applies where a constable has reasonable grounds to believe that a dog has attacked or worried livestock on agriculture land, a road or path and that if not detained, it could attack or worry livestock again. A constable may only detain a dog seized under 2(8) until an investigation has been carried out into whether an offence of worrying or attacking livestock under section 1 has been committed or where proceedings are brought for such an offence, until they have been determined or withdrawn.
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The requirement of consent from the chief officer of police for the police area in which the land is situated, the occupier of the land, or the owner of any of the livestock in question in order to bring proceedings for the offences in this Act have been removed.
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New section 2ZA is inserted and provides for the collection of samples and impressions from both dogs and livestock. Again, for a sample or impression to be taken, a constable must have reasonable grounds to believe that a dog has attacked or worried livestock and that information derived from a sample or impression from the dog or livestock might provide evidence of an offence under section 1. Section 2ZA(2) allows a constable to seize and detain a dog for this purpose. Where the taking of a sample or impression under this section would amount to surgery under the definition in the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 then it must be performed by a veterinary surgeon.
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Section 2A is substituted and significantly strengthens the warrant powers around a suspected section 1 offence. Section 2A now provides for the granting of warrants authorising entry and search of premises for the purpose of identification of, seizure and detention of, or the taking of samples and impressions from a dog following a suspected section 1 offence. It also provides for warrants authorising entry and search of premises to seize evidence of a section 1 offence. Subsection (5) allows for the use of reasonable force where necessary.
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‘Camelids’, that being mammals of the camel family such as camels, alpacas and llamas, are now included in the definition of ‘livestock’ for the purposes of this Act (section 3).
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