The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill has successfully passed through the House of Lords and is now on its way to receive Royal Assent and become law. This marks a major step forward in protecting livestock and supporting rural communities.
First introduced by Baroness Coffey under the previous Government, the Bill updates legislation to give the police stronger powers to tackle dog attacks on livestock. These attacks cause distress and financial loss for farmers and harm to animals, and the new law will make a real difference in safeguarding rural livelihoods and animal welfare.
Aphra Brandreth MP explained,
“I’m delighted that my Bill has now passed through the House of Lords and is on its way to receive Royal Assent and become law. This has been a long journey, first introduced by Baroness Coffey under the previous Government, and I’m thrilled to have taken it forward to bring it to this stage.
This Bill updates legislation to give the police stronger powers to tackle dog attacks on livestock. These attacks cause distress and financial loss for farmers and harm to animals, so this change will make a real difference in protecting rural livelihoods and animal welfare.
I’m hugely grateful for the support this Bill has received from across Parliament and from farming groups, the police, and rural communities. It’s been a long time coming, but I’m proud that together we’ve ensured this important measure will soon become law.”
The timeline for Royal Assent will be announced shortly, and once granted, the Bill will officially become law.
The Bill introduces measures such as expanded police powers to seize dogs, collect DNA evidence, and impose unlimited fines on offenders. These changes reflect the growing need to address livestock worrying, which remains one of the most common rural crimes.
