Overview
- The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act is now in force in England and Wales and lets police take DNA and mouth impressions from suspected dogs and seize animals for investigation.
- Courts can order offenders to pay the costs of seizing and keeping a dog involved in livestock worrying under the new law.
- NFU Mutual estimates losses from dog attacks rose about 10% in 2025 to £1.95m across the UK.
- The North East saw costs climb 37% to about £124,000, while the Midlands recorded the highest total at £438,000.
- An NFU Mutual survey found 57% of owners let dogs off the lead in the countryside and 10% said their dog has no recall, prompting fresh calls to use leads near sheep during lambing to prevent injury and orphaned lambs.