New laws designed to protect livestock from dog attacks have come into force.
The changes make livestock worrying and attacking livestock separate offences and give courts stronger powers to deal with incidents involving dogs chasing or harming farm animals.
Courts can now seize and detain dogs involved in offences and require owners to pay the costs linked to their care, while fines for livestock worrying have been increased and are now unlimited.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said the changes will help deter offenders and ensure anyone responsible for attacks is “rightly punished”.
Recent data from the National Farmers’ Union showed farm animals worth £1.95million were injured or killed by dogs in 2025, a 10% increase on the previous year.
Sergeant Skinner from Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team said incidents can have both a financial and emotional impact on farmers and officers welcome the additional powers to tackle offences.
Police are urging dog owners to keep animals on a lead near livestock, stay on public footpaths and remain vigilant when walking in the countryside.
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