To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to increase the financial penalty for the crime of livestock worrying by dogs to ensure there is a serious deterrent for dog owners.
Answered on
27 February 2024
The Government takes the issue of livestock worrying very seriously, recognising the distress this can cause animals and their keepers. The Government is supporting a Private Members’ Bill to amend the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. The Bill will improve police powers to enable the police to respond to livestock worrying incidents more effectively and to act as a deterrent.
Livestock worrying is principally a crime of negligence, not of intent. Those found guilty of committing an offence face a penalty of a maximum fine of £1,000. The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill will maintain this maximum penalty.