Dog owners have been issued a ‘worrying’ warning over new rules set to come into force from Wednesday.

On March 18, the laws on dogs in public places will be made much tougher, with unlimited fines for any dog owner whose dog is ‘worrying’ livestock such as sheep.

Previously, fines for dog owners worrying livestock were capped at £1,000, but from Wednesday financial penalties will be totally unlimited.

Livestock worrying is when dogs chase or even approach sheep in fields The law defines worrying as:

“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.

“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.”

Many dog owners also don’t realise that it’s fully legal for a farmer to shoot and kill dogs worrying their livestock.

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.

Carolyn Menteith of leading dog food subscription brand Tails.com says: "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.”

Puppies.co.uk, one of the UK’s largest dog marketplaces, are warning owners who walk their pets near farms to keep their dogs on the lead around livestock.

The penalty for livestock worrying will also soon include a maximum unlimited fine and up to one year in prison. Police also have enhanced powers to seize dogs suspected of the offence.

In January, a dog killed 21 sheep in a single day at a Cheshire farm, costing the farmer around £5,000 and causing serious anxiety. With these attacks seemingly common and farmers already facing financial pressures, more are saying they would exercise their right to shoot if a dog attacked their flock.

To understand the true scale of this issue, puppies.co.uk sent FOI requests to police forces across the UK to ask how many reports of livestock attacks, fines to owners, and dog seizures have occurred since 2021.

The responses show that at least 1,417 reports of livestock worrying have been recorded since 2021 by the police forces able to provide figures. Many forces said they could not supply the data because livestock worrying incidents are not recorded in a way that is easily retrievable, meaning the real number of incidents across the UK is likely to be significantly higher.

Among the forces that were able to respond, Police Scotland recorded the highest number of reports with 628 incidents, followed by North Wales Police with 455 reports and West Mercia Police with 289. Smaller totals were also reported by Nottinghamshire Police (17), North Yorkshire Police (16) and Merseyside Police (12).

The large number of forces unable to provide figures highlights how difficult it is to measure the full scale of livestock worrying across the UK, and highlights why stronger legal protections are being introduced.

A spokesperson for puppies.co.uk said: “The recent data is really worrying, and shows the full extent of dog attacks on livestock across England and Wales. We understand why these new laws are being brought in to curb this issue and deter owners from letting their dogs run around livestock.

“As an owner, it’s crucial to stay on top of law changes to protect your dog and other animals when walking around livestock. However, many still aren’t aware of these laws, even though they’ve been in place for decades. There needs to be more clarity when rules change so owners can keep their pets safe.

“Many owners believe that their dog would never attack another animal, but chasing is an animal instinct, and any dog can become aggressive, no matter their normal temperament. Responsible dog ownership includes understanding this and complying with any rules designed to prevent attacks.

“If you routinely walk your dog near livestock, ensure you keep them on a short lead, be aware of the recommended routes, and, if possible, avoid fields with cattle or sheep entirely, especially during lambing season. You should always follow the countryside code when in rural areas, which includes keeping your dog under control, cleaning up after them, and checking where you can and cannot walk.

“If your dog escapes and gets loose in a field with livestock, it’s up to you as their owner to get them back on the lead and leave as calmly and quickly as possible so as not to spook any livestock.

“Livestock worrying can result in serious harm and even death, causing farmers emotional and financial distress. It’s important to be respectful; these rules aren’t for nothing.”