Livestock Protection Laws: What Dog Owners Need to Know

Letting a dog off lead is not a right — it’s a responsibility.

I recently spoke to Dotty McLeod on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire’s Breakfast Show about the updated legislation designed to better protect livestock. The conversation highlighted a growing issue: many dog owners are unaware of how easily situations can escalate, and how serious the consequences can be when dogs are not under control around animals.

This legislation isn’t about blaming dog owners. It’s about education, prevention, and helping people understand how dogs learn, why chasing happens, and what responsible control actually looks like in the real world.

Why Has Livestock Protection Legislation Been Updated?

The updated legislation exists to protect:

• Livestock welfare

• Farmers’ livelihoods

• Fellow countryside users

• Dogs themselves

Livestock worrying causes significant harm every year. Stress alone can lead to injury, miscarriage, or death in animals such as sheep and cattle — even when there is no physical contact.

This is why the law has expanded its definition and increased enforcement powers.

What Counts as Livestock Worrying?

Livestock worrying is not limited to biting or killing. It includes:

• Chasing livestock

• Harassing animals

• Causing stress or panic

• Attacking or injuring livestock

A dog does not need to touch livestock for an offence to occur. If animals are distressed or forced to flee, that is enough.

What Are the Legal Consequences for Dog Owners?

Under the updated legislation:

• Police have greater powers to intervene

• Dogs can be seized in serious cases

• Unlimited fines may be issued

• Criminal records are possible

These consequences are not designed to be punitive for the sake of it. They are intended to encourage proactive responsibility, rather than reactive regret.

“My Dog Would Never Do That” Isn’t a Safeguard

Many owners genuinely believe their dog wouldn’t chase livestock — until one day, they do.

Dogs are animals, not machines. When adrenaline rises and instinct takes over, even well-trained dogs can make poor choices if they are placed in situations they are not ready for.

The law doesn’t judge intent — it judges outcome.

Chasing Is Natural — Not Naughtiness

Chasing is not bad behaviour. It is instinct.

Movement triggers a hard-wired response in dogs. Herding breeds are often more sensitive to this, but any dog can chase when arousal is high enough.

This matters because punishment or frustration won’t prevent chasing. Understanding and guidance will.

Why Chasing Gets Stronger Over Time

Dogs learn through repetition.

The more a dog practises an unwanted behaviour, the stronger it becomes. Each successful chase reinforces neural pathways that make the behaviour more automatic next time.

This is why prevention is so important — once chasing becomes habitual, it takes far more work to undo.

Puppies vs Adult Dogs — Can Recall Be Trained at Any Age?

Yes — reliably.

Dogs of any age can learn new behaviours. With consistent training, good structure, and the right environments, recall can become a default response rather than an optional one.

It’s not about age. It’s about practice, repetition, and management.

Why Early Freedom Can Create Long-Term Problems

Allowing off-lead freedom before recall is reliable often leads to:

• Reinforced chasing habits

• Reduced handler relevance

• Learned independence

• Increased risk around livestock

Freedom should be earned through training, not assumed.

Off-Lead Is a Privilege, Not a Right

Before letting your dog off lead, ask yourself:

“Will my dog come back every time — even if something exciting appears?”

If the honest answer is “I’m not sure”, then a lead or long line is the safest choice.

Using a long line:

• Prevents rehearsal of chasing

• Maintains safety during training

• Builds reliable recall foundations

• Protects livestock, dogs, and owners

It allows dogs to enjoy movement and exploration without the risk of irreversible mistakes.

Build Reliability Before Increasing Distractions

Recall should be trained in stages:

1. Low-distraction environments

2. Gradual exposure to new stimuli

3. Controlled distance from triggers

4. Proofing before real-world freedom

Skipping steps increases risk — not progress.

Provide Appropriate Outlets for Instinct

Dogs need outlets for their instincts. Suppressing behaviour without replacement leads to frustration and fallout.

Positive outlets include:

• Structured training

• Agility

• Scent work

• Controlled games that build engagement

These activities fulfil dogs mentally and physically, reducing the likelihood of instinct spilling over into dangerous situations.

Why This Legislation Matters to Every Dog Owner

You don’t need to live rurally to be affected.

Footpaths, bridleways, open fields, and farmland are shared spaces. One mistake can change lives — for livestock, owners, and dogs alike.

This legislation exists to support responsible ownership, not punish good people.

At Anglian Dog Works, my approach is simple:

• Educate, not judge

• Prevent, not punish

• Support owners to succeed

If you’re unsure about your dog’s recall, impulse control, or off-lead reliability, get in touch.

Final Thought

Letting a dog off lead is a decision — not a default.

With knowledge, training, and responsible management, we can keep dogs safe, livestock protected, and countryside access open for everyone.