Dog owners face unlimited fines under new Bill
Why dog owners will face unlimited fines for breaking strict new law
- Dog owners in England and Wales now face unlimited fines for their pets worrying livestock, removing the previous £1,000 penalty cap.
- The new legislation extends protection to camelids, including llamas and alpacas, placing them on par with other farm animals like sheep and cattle.
- Conservative former deputy prime minister Baroness Therese Coffey steered the Bill, emphasising the devastating impact of livestock worrying on animals and farmers.
- The updated law will broaden its scope to include roads and paths, offering greater reassurance to farmers when moving their livestock.
- Police officers will also be granted new powers to seize dogs that pose a risk of repeated attacks on farm animals.