Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill

Lord Colgrain Excerpts

Friday 5th December 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Coffey (Con)]

My Lords, the farming community will be delighted that so many Peers are here for the Third Reading of this important Bill. Livestock worrying has devastating consequences for both animals and farmers, and it can be horrific, causing brutal injuries that are tragically often fatal. There are instances of stress causing pregnant livestock to miscarry, and separation of mothers and their young, leading to hypothermia and starvation. This modest Bill will modernise the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, ensuring it reflects the needs of modern-day farming. It will strengthen police powers so they can do their job more effectively, giving them powers of entry and allowing them to seize and detain dogs and collect evidence. At the moment, collecting evidence tends to rely on the good will of the owners of the suspected dog.

I was contacted this week by the noble Baroness, Lady Mallalieu, who I see is in her place, about a concern passed on to her—that the word “paths” in Clause 1(a) might be interpreted as referring only to footpaths, bridleways or similar. It is important to make it clear that “paths” had its ordinary meaning, and I intend to do that. Anyone who has driven on country roads will know that farmers move livestock. The Bill specifically extends the scope of the provisions so that they do not apply only to a field a farmer may own or where livestock are kept; it recognises that agricultural practices often involve animals being transferred from one field to another. The current legislation does not apply where animals are crossing a road and a dog is out of control, or in other sections that are not a specific field. In recognition of that, the Bill includes roads and paths as locations where an offence may take place. That will give farmers greater reassurance when moving livestock. I understand that “paths” will have its ordinary meaning. I hope that reassures the noble Baroness, and I am sure the Minister will confirm that in her response.

This Bill originally started two years ago, in December 2023, when I took it through the Commons as an MP. My noble friend Lord Colgrain stood ready last year to take it through this House, and then the election was called. I want to thank the new Defra Ministers, who recognised the importance of this issue and ensured it became a government hand-out Bill. That has allowed it a good passage. In particular, I thank Aphra Brandreth, who picked up the Bill shortly after becoming a newly elected MP in Cheshire and who navigated it through the Commons. I thank the NFU and all those who made multiple representations from right around the country. I particularly thank the officials from Defra, who have been working on this for a considerable time. This Bill is a straightforward way to make sure we help our farmers, whose primary role is to grow food to put on our plates. They should not be worrying, literally, about other people’s animals worrying their livestock. I beg to move.

[Lord Colgrain (Con)]

My Lords, before there are any Front-Bench responses, I would like to add my thanks to your Lordships’ House and the other place for the speed and constructive nature of the passage of this Bill. As I said at Second Reading, I have borne personal witness to horrible dog attacks on sheep, for which this Bill will make dog owners more accountable. The farming community is facing strong headwinds at the moment, and this small and seemingly innocuous Bill will provide, when it receives Royal Assent, the best possible Christmas present to all livestock owners.

[Baroness Mallalieu (Lab)]

I would like to add my voice to praise the noble Baroness, who has pursued this Bill for some considerable time, and to express gratitude both to her and to the Minister for allowing it to pass. From grateful sheep owners and dog owners everywhere: thank you.