All dogs, regardless of size, breed or temperament are a potential danger to livestock.

Factors leading dogs to worry livestock include boredom, lack of socialisation or attention seeking.

Under current legislation it is an offence for a person to be the keeper of a dog which attacks livestock.

What happens to the dog that has worried livestock?

1. Where a dog has attacked or killed livestock the court may make an order directing the dog to be destroyed.
2. Where it appears to a court that a dog has chased livestock in such a way as might reasonably have been expected to cause injury or suffering to the livestock or to result in financial loss to the owner of livestock the court may:
   • make an order directing the dog to be destroyed; or
   • make an order directing the dog to be kept confined in a building, shed or other enclosure from which it cannot escape.

A court must be satisfied of a dog's involvement beyond reasonable doubt before an order for destruction or confinement may be passed.

Farmers Rights

A farmer may shoot a dog in his vicinity if the animal is not under the charge of a person and is worrying, about to worry or had worried livestock and if he has no practical means of identifying the owner or there is no means of preventing or ending the worrying.

Heavy Price to Pay

If it is proved beyond reasonable doubt that a dog was involved in the worrying of livestock the the court may make an order for its humane destruction and impose a heavy fine plus additional court fees on the owner. In some cases the farmer may also file a claim for compensation, these costs may exceed thousands of pounds.

Country Code

• When near livestock or on any land where livestock are present and have a right to be there your dog must always be on a lead.
• Never leave your dog unattended - as it only takes a matter of seconds for a fluffy sheep to whet his desire.
• Familiarise your dog to livestock before visiting rural, animal-populated areas.
• Train puppies at a young age (before 12 weeks of age) and allow them to socialise with other animal species to reduce the fascination and the tendency to chase later in life. Training in the six commands of basic obedience - stay, come, sit, heel, leave and down - will give you confidence that you will be able to control your dog.
• Reward your dog with a pat on the head or a special treat when he reacts mutely to livestock. Eventually the dog will recognise the link between the treat and good behaviour.
• Remain relaxed and nonplussed when your dog becomes excited around livestock, otherwise the dog will recognise it as an attention seeking technique.