Lambs with Ewe (Image: Kev via Pixabay)
Spring is finally here and the sun has also made a few appearances. These days, lambing takes place anytime between November and May, but March is the busiest month of the lambing season in the UK.
Here in the North East we are lucky to be surrounded by so many farms and countryside where we can see lambs being born, feeding from their mum (ewe), and the best part, watching them play and jump.
Sadly, seeing the joys of the lambing season is not always the case. Having even well-trained dogs off their leads whilst walking in areas with livestock can do serious harm to sheep, cattle, and their Young. Livestock fleeing from dogs are often killed or seriously injured by their panicked attempts to escape, causing untold damage to fencing and field boundaries in the process. Dogs can also cause pregnant ewes to miscarry their lambs due to the stress of being chased. Dogs may also attack the ewes or even their lambs, again, ending in either of them being killed.
Responsible dog walking and the law
We are appealing for dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead when enjoying the countryside - especially when walking through public footpaths on farms. Whilst many owners are unaware of the impact their dogs can have on sheep and cattle, it is their responsibility to ensure attacks or livestock chasing does not happen.
Whilst allowing a dog to worry livestock has long been an offence, it was agreed that the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 was no longer fit for purpose, with livestock numbers increasing over the years and a greater number of people walking dogs in the countryside.
On 18th of March 2026, the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 came into force in England and Wales, with amendments to the 1953 legislation covering livestock worrying incidents on public rights of way, roads, and fields.
Puppy on countryside path (Image via Pixabay)
Rather than restrict dog walking in the countryside, this new amendment to the law aims to protect the work of farmers in England and Wales and keep livestock safe, which is especially important for sheep and lambs during lambing season.
From the March of 18th this year, some of the key changes under this law include the £1000 cap for fines becoming unlimited for livestock worrying, and Police may also seize and detain dogs who are deemed a risk, as well as take DNA samples to link dogs to attacks.
Advice for dog walkers
As a dog walker, it is important to be aware of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 and to use public rights of way, roads, or fields responsibly when walking your dog. The UK Government has issued some useful advice for dog walkers, which includes:
Follow The Countryside Code when visiting livestock areas
Any dog is capable of livestock worrying - always keep dogs under control and in sight
It is good practice to keep dogs on a lead when walking in rural areas where livestock are kept, but let go of the lead if chased by cattle
Always follow local signs
Report any incidents of livestock worrying to the police or local farmers
Ensure dogs cannot escape from homes or gardens near livestock fields
Source: www.gov.uk
With this useful advice and greater awareness of the impact and implications of worrying livestock, we can all continue to walk dogs responsibly and enjoy the wonderful countryside all year-round.
