Following recent news about the passage of a piece of legislation that aims to improve the welfare of pet animals brought in to the country from abroad, the Countryside Alliance is pleased that another Opposition-led private member’s bill has now cleared the House of Lords and should receive Royal Assent shortly. This one, the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill, contains measures to strengthen the law against livestock worrying by dogs. 

This Bill was introduced in the House of Commons by Aphra Brandreth MP (Con, Chester South and Eddisbury) and taken up in the Lords by Baroness Coffey (Con), who had originally introduced it while serving as an MP in the last Parliament. As we reported in July, it is quite unusual for a government to support a private member’s bill brought by a member from the opposition. The Labour government’s support shows the level of agreement across the political spectrum on the need to go further in tackling livestock worrying. Labour had supported it when in opposition, and it has been gratifying to see it maintain that support in government. 

The law makes a series of amendments to the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 implementing new measures to deter and detect livestock worrying, including a power to collect and test for DNA evidence and enhanced powers around the seizure and detention of offending dogs. It also adds camelids (alpacas, llamas and vicuñas) to the list of protected livestock.  

Thanks to an earlier amendment from 1981, the 1953 Act already included appropriate exemptions so that the prohibition on dogs being ‘at large’ – not under close control – in a field where livestock are present does not apply to dogs belonging to the landowner nor to working dogs. We were keen to ensure these exemptions were maintained and, in the last Parliament, worked with Thérèse Coffey, then an MP, to that effect. We have also briefed parliamentarians in support of the legislation at key stages. 

Speaking shortly before the Bill was passed unanimously by the House of Lords, Defra Minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock said: 

“The passing of the Bill is clearly important for our farmers and their livestock. Its strength and provisions will send a clear message that livestock worrying is a serious offence, and that responsible dog owners must be accountable. The provisions will serve as a deterrent but also restore confidence among farmers and members of rural communities, many of whom live in fear of the devastating impact of such incidents on their livelihoods and the welfare of their animals.” 

We are glad to see another good piece of animal welfare legislation make it onto the Statute Book.