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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the threat to livestock from dogs not under control of their owners.

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

Following recent reports on the issue, including by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, we are taking forward recommendations to modernise the relevant legal framework (the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953) for dealing with incidents of dogs attacking or worrying livestock.

We have carried out targeted consultation with key stakeholder groups representing interested parties, including roundtable events. This approach has allowed us to build consensus and reach a significant level of technical detail in terms of our policy development and consultation. Representatives from the police, farming and livestock associations, veterinary bodies and dog welfare groups have all been engaged in this process.

We have introduced these changes in the current Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill. Through this Bill we are enhancing the enforcement mechanisms available to the police and expanding the scope of livestock species and locations covered by the law. These improved powers will enable the police to respond to livestock worrying incidents more effectively – making it easier for them to collect evidence and, in the most serious cases, seize and detain dogs to reduce the risk of further incidents.