Livestock and Wildlife: Dogs

(asked on 13th May 2022) - View Source

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help encourage dog owners to train dogs not to chase (a) farm livestock and (b) wild animals.


Answered by
Victoria Prentis Portrait
Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
This question was answered on 18th May 2022

The Government takes the issue of livestock worrying and chasing very seriously, recognising the distress this can cause farmers and animals, as well as the financial implications.

New measures to crack down on livestock worrying in England and Wales are to be brought in through the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, which was introduced in Parliament on 8 June 2021.The new measures will enhance enforcement mechanisms available to the police and expand the scope of livestock species and locations covered by the law. Improved powers will enable the police to respond to livestock worrying incidents more effectively.

The purpose of the livestock worrying legislation is to tackle the anti-social behaviour of those whose dogs worry or attack animals that are commonly found in agricultural settings and whose injury or death may have serious financial consequences for their keepers. Feral wild animals are outside the scope of this legislation. Protections for animals in their wild state are dealt with separately under different legislation.

In December 2021, Defra published research in collaboration with Middlesex University investigating measures to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog.  The research considers the effectiveness of current dog control measures, and the report makes several recommendations, including strengthening the accreditation of dog trainers and providing dog awareness courses for those with dog control issues. The report will provide the basis for the consideration of reform in this area and the Government is already working with the police, local authorities, and animal welfare stakeholders to consider the recommendations further.

Guidance is available to educate owners about handling their dogs responsibly in the vicinity of livestock and animals, in order to prevent the occurrence of attacks or chasing. Natural England recently published a refreshed version of the Countryside Code, which highlights that it is best practice to keep dogs on a lead around livestock. The Code also makes specific reference to keeping dogs in sight and under control to make sure they stay away from livestock, wildlife, horses and other people unless invited. Moreover, the Code helpfully sets out certain legal requirements, encouraging visitors to always check local signs as there are locations where you must keep your dog on a lead around livestock for all or part of the year.

In addition, dog owners can prevent incidents of chasing by undertaking appropriate training. It is important that dogs are trained to behave well, ideally from a young age, and introduced gradually and positively to different environments, people and animals. Reward-based training for dogs is widely regarded as the preferred method of training. Owners who have concerns about controlling their dog’s behaviour may take advice from their vet or a suitably qualified dog behaviourist or trainer. The Animal Behaviour and Training Council maintains national registers of appropriately qualified trainers and behaviourists and The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs also details best practice methods of training.

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