DOG owners are being warned to keep their pets under control in the countryside – or face the possibility of prosecution.
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act was passed earlier this year, following prolonged industry campaigning, granting police enhanced powers to address dog attacks on farm animals in England and Wales.
New figures released by Stratford-based rural insurer NFU Mutual estimate that farm animals in the Midlands worth £438,000 were severely injured or killed last year in dog attacks.
While that marks a three per cent fall in the Midlands on the previous year, the national figure was ten per cent up at £1.95million.
The data coincides with findings from a new NFU Mutual survey of more than 1,400 dog owners which revealed 5 per cent let their dogs off leads in the countryside.
But alarmingly, one in ten admitted their dog has no recall while 44 per cent said their dogs came back only ‘some’ or ‘most of the time’.
One in 20 dog owners confessed their dogs had chased livestock, and more than three-fifths felt other dog owners in their area did not treat livestock worrying as a serious issue.
Despite this, some seven in ten said they were not actively taking steps to prevent their dogs from chasing and almost two-thirds did not believe their dogs were capable of harming or killing animals.
NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist Hannah Binns said: “As the lambing season gets underway, a time when pregnant ewes and newborn lambs are vulnerable, it is deeply concerning to see the estimated cost of livestock worrying rise to nearly £2 million in 2025.
“As a sheep farmer’s daughter, I know first-hand the hard work, long hours and emotional investment that goes into the lambing season. For farmers and their families, witnessing these horrific incidents or finding injured or dead livestock after an attack can be utterly heartbreaking.
“Farmers across the UK are living with the constant fear of repeat incidents, which cause immense suffering to livestock and can traumatise all involved in dealing with the aftermath. Anecdotally, we continue to hear reports of dogs injuring or killing sheep while owners are either unable to control their pets or are nowhere to be found.
“Ignoring the risks is never an option; regardless of breed, size, or temperament, all dogs can chase, injure or kill livestock. Even without physical contact, the stress of being chased can lead to exhaustion and stress, and in some cases separate young lambs from their mothers, which can lead to them being orphaned.
“It is crucial dog owners act responsibly by keeping their pets on leads wherever livestock may be nearby to prevent these needless attacks. If there is an incident, we urge those involved to do the right thing by informing a local farmer and reporting it to the police, so that any injured animals are not left suffering in pain.”
Dog owners are being warned they could face prosecution if their pets attack farm animals.
