Overview
- The law removes the previous £1,000 cap and introduces an unlimited fine for livestock-worrying offences in England and Wales.
- Police gain new powers to detain dogs considered an ongoing threat and to enter premises to secure evidence, including animal DNA.
- Courts can require offenders to pay the costs of seizing and caring for a detained dog.
- Offences are clarified to apply on roads and public paths, and the definition of livestock now includes camelids such as llamas and alpacas.
- The National Farmers’ Union and the Farmers’ Union of Wales welcomed the change, citing NSA data that 87% of sheep farmers reported attacks in the past year.