PC Chadwick who is from the Gower Neighbourhood policing team and who is also part of the South Wales Police wildlife crime team team explains the new amendments to the Protection of Livestock Act.
On the March 18 2026, new legislation came into force across England and Wales to tackle livestock worrying by dogs. We now have access to much tougher penalties and improved police powers.
In summary, an offence can be committed if your dog:
• Attacks livestock
• Chases livestock (no contact required)
Remember, your dog chasing or frightening animals is enough to commit an offence.
The law now includes:
• Fields (farmland)
• Public footpaths
• Roads and rights of way near livestock
Livestock includes sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, but now also includes alpacas, llamas, horses, ponies, donkeys, farmed deer and enclosed game birds (e.g. pheasants, partridges, grouse).
Sanctions now include:
• Unlimited fines (previously capped at £1,000)
• Dogs can be seized by the police
• Police can enter land/property to investigate
• DNA and evidence can be collected
• Owners can be ordered to pay costs including kennelling
This law is about to protecting farm animals, preventing suffering, and supporting our farmers.
You can easily avoid this type of crime, and not put your dog at risk too, as farmers have the legal right to shoot any dogs who are in the act of attacking and worrying livestock.
We all love dogs so please keep your dogs on leads when walking in the countryside and especially around cattle. The last thing we want is dogs being shot for something that could have been easily avoided
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