New bill could help protect Dartmoor livestock

New legislation designed to strengthen the protection of livestock from incidents of worrying is progressing through Parliament. 

Sponsored by Aphra Brandreth, the MP for Chester South and Eddisbury, the Livestock Worrying (Amendment) Bill, if passed, will introduce key changes to the law surrounding livestock worrying, including a broader definition of the offence, increased penalties and enhanced powers for investigating suspected incidents.

This Bill will be particularly beneficial to Dartmoor, an area that has experienced numerous incidents over the years where dogs have caused harm to livestock on the moors. 

One such incident occurred on Langford Farm, near Tavistock, on Sunday, February 4, 2024. 

In this attack, a dog killed 45 sheep, with 13 ewes and four lambs injured and later put down. This event was one of the worst livestock worrying incidents in recent months, highlighting the urgent need for reform.

The Livestock Worrying (Amendment) Bill began in the House of Commons and has successfully passed both the first and second readings. 

It is currently in the committee stage and is progressing through the legislative process.

If passed, the Bill will amend the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 to make the following changes:

• Broader Scope of Offence: The bill will extend the offence of livestock worrying to include incidents on roads and paths, which were previously excluded.
• Expanded Definition of Livestock: Camelids, such as alpacas and llamas, will now be considered livestock under the law.
• Increased Penalties: The bill proposes higher penalties for offenders, including increased fines and the possibility of imprisonment.
• Enhanced Investigative Powers: Law enforcement will gain greater powers to seize and detain dogs involved in livestock worrying incidents, even when the dog’s owner is not present.
• Updated Terminology: The bill will differentiate between "attacking" livestock and "worrying" livestock, making it easier to handle legal cases.

One of the most significant aspects of the bill is the seizure and detention of dogs involved in livestock worrying. 

The Bill allows police to seize dogs if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the dog has attacked or worried livestock. 

If the dog’s owner is not present, the dog will be detained until the owner comes forward and covers the costs of its seizure.

If the dog is not claimed within seven days, it may be rehomed or disposed of by the authorities.

Additionally, the Bill mandates the creation of a register of seized dogs, ensuring transparency in how seized animals are handled. 

This register will be accessible to the public for inspection, ensuring accountability.

In 2024, a previous attempt to introduce similar reforms under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill sponsored by Dr Thérèse Coffey MP, was stalled due to the general election. 

The current Bill, sponsored by Aphra Brandreth, aims to pick up where the previous effort left off, offering a more comprehensive approach to livestock protection.

For farmers like Ali Dawe, who were directly affected by the 2024 livestock worrying incident in Dartmoor, the Bill could provide vital legal protection.

With increasing numbers of visitors and dog owners on public moors, the bill would help ensure that responsible dog ownership is enforced in areas where livestock graze.

If passed, the bill would be a critical step in addressing the ongoing issue of livestock worrying, particularly in rural areas like Dartmoor, where such incidents have caused considerable distress and financial loss to farmers.

With increased penalties, expanded definitions of livestock, and enhanced investigative powers, the bill represents an important step towards ensuring better protection for farm animals and greater accountability for dog owners. 

As the bill progresses through the Committee Stage, its supporters hope it will soon become law and provide much-needed safeguards against livestock worrying incidents.