A beloved beauty spot frequented by dog walkers and other visitors alike is also a location where it’s “lawful for farmers to shoot dogs to protect their livestock”. Every spring, the matter of dogs roaming freely at Dartmoor National Park generates considerable discussion, particularly during the livestock breeding and ground-nesting bird season.
Visitors to wild beauty spots such as Dartmoor may not be aware that livestock including sheep, cattle and ponies roam free on the open moorland, these animals are not wild, but owned by farmers – and one issue they face is dogs chasing or attacking livestock.
In 2025, officers initiated an enquiry following a devastating dog attack in Devon which claimed the lives of 19 ewes and 24 lambs, while canine attacks on livestock throughout the UK resulted in damages approaching £1.8million during 2024. Now, as reports Devon Live, new Government legislation has strengthened law changes to “strengthen protection for livestock”, with the bill receiving approval in December 2025 and taking effect next month on March 18.
The Dartmoor National Park authority cautions dog owners about livestock worrying (Image: Alberto Menendez Cervero via Getty Images)
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A statement on the Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) farming blog clarified that “livestock worrying can happen when a dog attacks, chases or is loose among livestock”.
The Defra blog states: “Dogs don’t need to make contact for harm to occur. Fear and stress alone can harm livestock, and, in severe cases, cause them to die.
“The impact on livestock keepers can be devastating. They face financial loss as well as personal distress.
“Farmers will soon have clearer and stronger legal protection against livestock worrying.”
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 received Royal Assent in December 2025, becoming law and modernising the longstanding Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.
Defra continued to clarify that “it has long been an offence to allow a dog to worry livestock” as legislation was introduced in 1953. However, since that time, “livestock numbers in England and Wales have doubled” and “more people visit the countryside with their dogs” nowadays.
If a dog chases a pregnant ewe, the distress can cause an unborn lamb to die even if no attack takes place (Image: Wirestock via Getty Images)
The legislation “now strengthens the tools available to police and the courts so they can respond more effectively when incidents happen”, Defra clarified, referring to the amendments to the bill.
The Dartmoor National Park website also cautions dog owners about livestock worrying — and draws attention to other issues concerning wildlife on the moor, such as (often rare) ground nesting birds.
Dartmoor National Park Authority states: “Livestock worrying – when a dog chases, attacks or causes distress to livestock – is a serious concern and can have devastating impacts for the animals and their keepers. It’s lawful for farmers to shoot dogs to protect their livestock.”
Skylark chicks in a ground nest are also vulnerable to predators (Image: Mike Powles via Getty Images)
The authority further added: “Report livestock worrying to police on 101 or by contacting Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society on 07873 587561 giving as much information about the incident as you can.
“Keeping your dog on a lead helps protect our birds which nest on the ground, such as skylarks, meadow pipits and curlews. A loose dog can easily cause them to abandon their nests, eggs and chicks – a real tragedy for our wonderful wildlife.”
Dartmoor National Park further advises: “Please keep dogs on a lead, during the livestock breeding and ground nesting bird season (March 1 – July 31) – and at all times anywhere near livestock.
“During warmer weather when our population of adders are likely to be basking in patches of sunshine. Remember: don’t let your dog chase animals or birds.”