Your dog doesn’t even have to do anything wrong
New powers will allow police to seize any dog – even if it hasn’t done anything wrong. With sunny weather forecast this week and many owners heading out for countryside walks with their dogs, experts are reminding walkers to be aware of new dog walking laws coming into force on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
The law strengthens rules around dogs worrying livestock, extending police powers and clarifying that causing stress to livestock, not just physical attacks, can constitute an offence. Carolyn Menteith of Tails.com has explained the practical steps owners can take to walk responsibly around farmland this spring.
Carolyn said: “The law has always been robust regarding dogs and livestock, but that doesn’t stop dog attacks on sheep and other animals increasing year-on-year. The National Sheep Association surveyed their members last year and an extraordinary 87% of them reported having experienced a dog attack on their sheep in the previous 12 months.
“Few owners who don’t live in the country know what the law says – or what it means – and far too many assume that because their dog has a good recall and is a lovely natured dog, that they won’t chase or hurt livestock. But a dog doesn’t even have to chase sheep to break the law.
“The original legislation, Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 was designed to protect livestock in the case of ‘worrying’ by dogs – but hardly anyone knows exactly what ‘worrying’ means. The Act says it is defined by:
- Attacking livestock
- Chasing livestock in such a way as may reasonably be expected to cause injury or suffering to the livestock or, in the case of females, abortion, or loss or diminution in their produce
“And then the one that might shock or surprise you:
- Being at large (that is to say, not on a lead or otherwise under close control) in a field or enclosure in which there are sheep.
“So just being in the same space as sheep with your dog off lead would mean they are ‘at large’ and breaking the law even if they don’t put a paw wrong.”
What is the new dog walking law?
Carolyn said: “The amendment has come into place because there are more dogs than ever before – and more people are taking their dogs out into the country so a law from 1953 was no longer appropriate.
“The penalties for breaking this law have always been fairly severe – but one of the key parts of the amendment that comes in on 18th March 2026, is that there will now be an unlimited fine whereas previously it was limited to £1,000 (in England and Wales). Scotland changed their law in 2021 to increase fines up to £40,000 and include 12 months imprisonment.
“The police will have stronger enforcement and investigative powers to find and identify dogs who have attacked livestock, and they can detain the dog if they think it could be a danger.
“In addition, there are clearer definitions around ‘attacking’ and ‘worrying’ to recognise that causing animals stress is enough to injure or kill, the Act will apply on public roads and paths that cross farmland or countryside, and more animals are included under the heading of livestock – including llamas and alpacas.”
How to stop dogs chasing livestock
Carolyn said: “For dogs unused to farm animals, sheep, cows, chickens and llamas can be a fascinating novelty and dogs are endlessly curious. These new animals look different, they smell different – and if a dog heads towards them, sheep especially are likely to run, and what could be more tempting…?
“Chasing is a doggie thing to do – whatever the breed or type – and whatever the intent. It could be excitement, it could be play, or it could be with less friendly intentions – but it can and does happen in an instant. 78% of the people surveyed by the National Sheep Association after incidents involving livestock said that they had assumed their dog wouldn’t chase, with a quarter saying they thought their dog had a good enough recall.
“And right there is a lot of the problem. Of course, we should train a recall, and we should work hard with our dogs to make it as good as it can be. It’s something we teach puppies, and we work on and reinforce throughout our dog’s lives.
“Having a reliable recall means we can let our dogs off the lead where it is safe to do so, and they can run, sniff, mooch about – and get all the exercise they need to keep them happy and healthy. But we also have to be realistic. Dogs are not robots – and no dog has a 100% recall. They are living, feeling, sentient creatures – and they make their own decisions.
“By training them, we teach them to make the decisions we want them to – such as coming back when we call them – but we should never leave the responsibility for protecting livestock to our dog. The responsibility is ours and ours alone.
“And that means keeping your dog on a lead anywhere you might encounter livestock – even if you can’t see any – no matter how good your dog’s recall is.
“You are not just protecting the livestock either. You are protecting your dog. Every year there are heartbreaking stories of owners whose dogs have been shot by farmers because they were worrying their sheep or other animals.
“The legality of doing so is a little ‘shades of grey’ and in the eyes of the law, it has to be as a last resort – but none of that matters if your dog is dead.”
