The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
(DAERA) and the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) are reminding dog
owners to take precautions to prevent livestock worrying and
protect animal welfare during lambing season.
Livestock worrying remains a serious issue for farmers, causing
harm to animals and creating disruption on farms. Dogs attacking,
chasing or even just being at large in fields holding livestock,
can lead to injury, miscarriage or death.
These incidents also often result in significant financial loss
for farmers, including veterinary costs, lost income from injured
or dead animals, and damage to farm infrastructure like fences,
hedges, and gates caused during the event. The aftermath can also
create emotional distress for farmers, who must manage the
consequences and ensure the welfare of their remaining animals.
Livestock worrying is not limited to physical attacks; dogs
running at large can frighten animals into escaping, causing
further risks on roads or neighbouring properties.
DAERA Minister said: “Livestock worrying can
have devastating consequences for animals and causes significant
distress to farmer families. Even a short chase can have
devastating consequences for livestock, and in most cases these
incidents are entirely preventable.
“The law is clear. It is a criminal offence to allow a dog onto
land containing livestock unless that dog is under control. Where
a dog worries livestock by attacking, killing or chasing animals
in a way that causes injury, suffering or financial loss to their
owner, the person in charge of that dog may face
prosecution.
“Simple actions make a real difference. Keeping dogs on a lead,
ensuring they cannot stray from homes or gardens, and taking
steps to manage their behaviour around livestock are all
essential. My Department will continue to raise awareness of
livestock worrying, but the responsibility lies with dog
owners to act responsibly and protect animal welfare.”
UFU Deputy President, John McLenaghan, said: “Behind every
livestock worrying incident is a farming family left to deal with
the devastating aftermath of a dog attack. For many sheep farmers
across Northern Ireland, lambing season is already one of the
most demanding times of the year. To then discover dead or
severely injured animals because a dog has been allowed to roam
is both heartbreaking and unacceptable.
“The financial impact is significant. A recent NFU Mutual report
highlights a £152,000 cost to farmers in 2025 due to livestock
losses in these cases. However, the true cost goes far beyond the
financial figure. There is the emotional toll on farm families,
the trauma inflicted on livestock, and the lasting impact on
flock performance to factor in.
“There can be no ambiguity about where responsibility lies.
Livestock worrying is a criminal offence, and dog owners have a
legal duty to ensure their pets are controlled at all times. Too
many people still believe their dog would never chase or harm
livestock. The reality is that any dog, regardless of breed, size
or temperament, can cause serious damage. Even without physical
contact, the stress of being chased can result in pregnant ewes
aborting lambs or young lambs becoming separated and dying.
“The message is simple and unequivocal: if you are walking
anywhere near livestock, your dog must be on a lead and under
control. Not just when you think there is a risk. At all times.
Preventing livestock worrying is entirely within the control of
dog owners, and there is no excuse for failing to act
responsibly.”
The Department and UFU are highlighting that owners must keep
their dogs under control, especially near farmland, by using
leads and ensuring pets cannot stray from homes or gardens.
Farmers are also encouraged to regularly check their stock,
maintain secure boundaries to deter access by dogs, and
communicate with neighbouring farms if loose dogs are sighted.
When incidents occur, it should be reported promptly to the
council dog warden for investigation.
Notes to editors:
1. Livestock worrying is an offence under the Dogs (Northern
Ireland) Order 1983:
(i) Restating the law about the control of dogs and extending the
provisions with respect to stray dogs, the control of dogs on
certain roads and on land and, in particular, providing a penalty
for attacking a person in addition to the penalty for worrying
livestock; and
(ii) Providing for district councils to enforce the law through
officers of the councils (Dog Wardens).
