Dogs owners face unlimited fines for sheep worrying

A revised law around sheep worrying comes into force today, and dog owners could face unlimited fines if they are convicted.

The change also means police will be able to seize and detain dogs.

Shepherd Heidi Holder, who looks after 350 sheep at Kentwell Hall in Long Melford, Suffolk, said dog attacks had a big impact. She described the latest one on her flock as "barbaric" with "chunks ripped out of them".

Sgt Chris Green, from Suffolk Police's wildlife and rural team, said: "No police officer wants to go around confiscating someone's loved pet. So if you care for your animal, my advice would be please don't put it in that situation."

Livestock worrying includes barking, chasing, biting and killing.

Holder, who has been working with the sheep at Kentwell Hall for more than two years, said the anxiety for sheep when a dog was chasing them or was off the lead could cause them to abort their lambs or have a heart attack.

She said: "Unfortunately we have had quite a few ordeals here [including] a really bad one last year, where we had a number of sheep killed and I lost sheep the following day due to shock. They had a heart attack.

"It was barbaric what I went out and found. I wouldn't wish that on anyone at all. It was awful.

"The emotional side of it is horrible."

Asked what happens when she asks dog owners to act responsibly, Holder said: "They don't care."

She added: "I say, 'Please put them on a lead', then they look at you like you are silly. They do not realise that their dog will kill the lambs if they get hold of them."

Green, who has been part of the wildlife and rural policing team for two years, said livestock worrying was a persistent problem.

He said the changes to the law were "a real step forward". Previously, the maximum fine was £1,000. It is now unlimited.

Green warned that keeping dogs on leads might not be enough, as they can take advantage of extendable leads to get near sheep.

"[Your dog] should be on a lead and at your side," he said.

The police have new powers if they suspect a dog has attacked livestock. They can apply for a warrant to seize the animal and take teeth impressions and DNA samples.

In a serious case, police can apply for a banning order for the owner and confiscate the dog. If it cannot be rehomed, it can be put down.

Figures from insurer NFU Mutual show that claims for livestock losses due to worrying have gone up over the last year by 10%, to £1.95m, although there has been a fall in the East of England.

Andrew Blenkiron, managing director of Elveden Farms on the Norfolk-Suffolk border, described the change in the law as a victory for efforts to reduce dog attacks on farm animals.

"I appreciate that the majority of dog owners do behave responsibly. It is vital that everyone keeps their dog on a lead near farm animals," he said.

Camelids, such as llamas and alpacas, are also be protected by the new legislation, and the law extends to livestock being led on footpaths and roads.

There is also a clearer distinction between worrying animals and attacking them, to reflect the severity of the offence.

Richard Kirkwood, who was walking his greyhound Flynn at Kentwell Hall, told the BBC he had had to intervene when he had seen dogs out of control.

"Most [dog walkers] are fine, but some of them are still a bit belligerent and leave them off lead."

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 received royal assent in December.

It was first proposed as a private member's bill by Baroness Coffey, the former Conservative Suffolk Coastal MP and Defra secretary.

It failed to get through Parliament due to the 2024 general election but was picked up again during this Parliament by Aphra Brandreth MP, and this time made it through.

Baroness Coffey said: "This had huge cross-party support. Some of this goes back to when I was... secretary of state. I was able to shape the legislation to try and make it simpler to get through, and I'm delighted that it will come into effect."

She continued: "This is all about making life easier for farmers, better for the sheep, and a big signal to dog owners to look after their dogs."

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.