UK dog walking laws: how to avoid unlimited fines near livestock this summer

Key takeaways: what’s changing with your countryside walk (and what to do)

• Fines just got scarier: As of March 2026, penalties for “livestock worrying” jumped from £1,000 to unlimited fines. “Worrying” can mean attacking livestock, chasing them or any action that causes fear, like wandering around loose or barking up close.

• Use leads: We always recommend walking your dog on a leash, but especially around farm animals and Open Access land.

• Plan ahead: Research your routes beforehand to find livestock-free areas, check seasonal grazing patterns, and stay away from fields during lambing season (February to April).

• Police powers have expanded: Officers can now seize dogs, search properties, and collect DNA evidence if they suspect your tailmate has worried livestock or might do so again.

• Stress counts as worrying: Chasing, barking at, or simply being loose among sheep all count as livestock worrying. The law is not limited to physical injury.

• It’s not just about fields and farmland: The new law applies to roads and public pathways, too.

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What's actually changed with these new laws?

We know these laws sound scary, but don’t panic too much. If you walk your dog on a leash and keep a close eye on them during your walk, you’re already fine. You don’t need to abandon those important, memorable countryside walks.

Keeping on top of things is a good idea, though.

The big overhaul: March 2026

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 came into force on 18 March 2026.

Here’s what the law says in Plain English:

• Increased penalties: The maximum penalty for worrying livestock isn’t capped at £1,000 anymore. It’s an unlimited fine.

• Livestock definition: Alpacas, enclosed game birds, farmed deer, horses and llamas joined cows, goats, pigs, poultry and sheep are as protected livestock.

• More locations: Applies to not just agricultural lands - it applies to roads and public paths now too.

• It’s not just attacking: Chasing and being off-lead among livestock counts as worrying.

• Police powers have increased: Police can now detain and seize dogs suspected of offences to prevent future incidents. They can also enter a premises with a warrant to collect evidence, like DNA samples and teeth impressions.

• Liability: Courts can order pet parents to pay expenses from the detention and seizure of their dog.

• Defence for theft: There are some protections for pet parents, who can get an exemption if their dog was in someone else’s charge without their consent.

Why has this legislation been passed?

The main reason was the financial cost of livestock worrying. It was estimated at nearly £2 million per year, a 10% increase on 2024. Farmers felt the old £1,000 fine wasn’t enough of a deterrent with the rising incidents.

The original law was over 70 years old and no longer accounted for how we use the countryside today, nor did it account for how many more dogs are in the UK and the greater diversification of animals that farmers now rear.

Additionally, before March 2026, police felt like they lacked the specific powers needed to prove a dog was responsible for an incident. Now, they can seize and test a dog’s DNA to prove this.

What’s "livestock worrying"?

Livestock worrying is a very broad term, and your dog doesn’t actually need to touch livestock for it to count as worrying.

Here's what counts as worrying:

• Barking at farm animals

• Being loose in a field with livestock

• Chasing livestock

How to avoid unlimited fines near livestock

Use leads all the time

You’ll need to keep your dog on a lead on all Open Access land whenever there is livestock around, but also as a blanket-rule between 1st March and 31st July.

And we know your dog loves to be off-lead and free, but with this new law, it’s probably too risky.

Check empty fields properly

An empty field isn’t an invitation for your dog to run off. Make sure you do a proper check first - you’ll be surprised where some livestock, especially smaller animals like lambs, can hide away.

Plus, livestock can move pretty quickly between fields, and your empty paddock may soon become a cow crew’s favourite hangout.

Refer to the Countryside Code

This will help you outside of just walking your dog in the countryside. Keep your dog in sight and refer to the Countryside Code’s advice when you can.

Road encounters: prepare for the new legal minefield

The new law covers public paths and roads, too. So stay prepared there as well - if you see livestock along roads or a farmer taxiing them across roads, then keep your dog on a lead and let them pass.

Planning safe summer walks with your tailmate

We don’t want your summer countryside walk to become a legal stress minefield. But a bit of planning beforehand is all you need.

Do your homework

We’re not saying to abandon that spontaneous walk through somewhere new. But just do a quick check of the general area where you’re walking - there are online maps and local forums out there that can share livestock sightings and suggest livestock-free alternatives.

Choose your routes well

Pick routes away from farm animals if you can. Even distant livestock can spell trouble with your tailmate’s strong nose.

Woodland trails, parks and livestock-free zones are the risk-free options.

Lambing season needs extra care

Be extra careful during lambing season (February to April). That’s where sheep become especially anxious (who can blame them), and your dog can spike their stress to dangerous levels. This can cause disastrous health consequences, like pregnancy loss.

Farmers often post signs asking dogs to stay out of specific fields, complete with dates showing exactly when restrictions apply. Follow this guidance religiously: farmers know their animals better than anyone, and they wouldn't ask unless it mattered.

What to do if cattle chase your dog

It’s scary when this happens, but it’s usually because the cow feels threatened by your dog more so than you.

If this happens, drop your dog’s lead. They can outrun the cow (you probably can't), and it’ll keep you safe. Move away from the cows and put your dog back on the leash when safe to do so.

Remember: don’t stress too much, and enjoy the time with your tailmate

We get that the new law can sound scary, and the repercussions are serious. But if you use a lead, plan ahead and keep your tailmate front of mind, you’ll almost certainly avoid any issues.

These changes aren’t just for farmers; it’s to help protect our pets, too.

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FAQs

What if my dog is on a lead but barking at sheep?

This would be a reportable offence under the new law as livestock worrying. We’d recommend getting your dog away from the sheep with your lead as soon as possible.

The unlimited fine is due to the result of the behaviour, not necessarily what caused it. The economic loss of sheep losing their pregnancies due to stress can affect farmer’s tight margins considerably.

Does "close control" mean I don't need a lead?

In legal disputes, the lawmakers expect pet parents to be in “close control” of their pet. Some people interpret this as a dog being off-lead but close, but increasingly, the courts interpret this as a fixed lead, especially on Open Access land.

We’d recommend always using a lead.

Who is liable: me or my dog walker?

The new law clarified this. The person in charge of the dog at the time of the incident is liable. But the pet parent can still be sued in court for damages to livestock.

Always make sure your dog walker has specific public liability insurance for livestock incidents.