UK dog owners warned over new law with unlimited fines

A fresh dog walking regulation comes into effect from Wednesday morning — with all owners put on notice. Dog owners are being cautioned they could face substantial financial penalties for distressing livestock whilst exercising their pets across England and Wales.

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 has been approved and signed off by the Labour Party government and is designed to modernise the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.

It will take effect on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the government confirmed. The legislation now bolsters the powers available to police and the courts, enabling them to respond more robustly when incidents occur. The government said: “This change to the law is not about restricting dog walking. It is about making sure people can continue to enjoy the countryside while keeping livestock safe, protecting animal welfare and supporting the work farmers do every day.”

The amendments clarify that attacking livestock is handled distinctly from worrying livestock. It broadens the law to encompass livestock-worrying and attacks occurring on roads and paths and incorporates camelids (as llamas and alpacas are routinely farmed), reports Birmingham Live.

The revised law also establishes a new defence for dog owners, exempting them from liability where the dog was under another person’s supervision at the time of the offence without the owner’s permission, for example if the dog was stolen. Labour states that the new legislation also introduces fresh powers permitting a court to order an offender to pay costs related to seizing and detaining a dog.

It escalates the potential penalty from a fine of up to £1,000 to an unlimited fine. Under the law, the government can seize and detain dogs, take samples and impressions from a dog or livestock and grants police the powers to enter and search premises to identify, seize and detain a dog for the prevention of future incidents.

In a cautionary note for dog owners, the government says: “Responsible access to the countryside is encouraged. Be aware of your surroundings when walking near livestock.

“A dog does not need to make physical contact with animals to commit an offence under the new law. Chasing or disturbing livestock can cause harm.”