A new law will mean that owners of dogs who attack or chase livestock could be subject to an unlimited fine, increasing from the previous maximum punishment of £1,000.
A survey from the National Sheep Association found that 87% of sheep farmers had experienced a dog attack on their flock in the past year, with many reporting multiple incidents.
NFU research published this year also found that the total cost of livestock worrying had reached £1.8m, with the Midlands seeing an estimated £452,000 worth of incidents.
Alongside the unlimited fines, police will now have greater powers to investigate incidents more effectively. These include entering premises to secure evidence or animal DNA to prevent future incidents.
Courts will also be able to hand down the cost of seizing and caring for detained dogs to the offender.
Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said: “Livestock worrying can have devastating consequences for farmers and their animals, with sheep, cows and other animals often suffering severe injuries, trauma or often death.
“These stronger protections will help keep livestock safe and give farmers more confidence that incidents can be quickly and properly investigated.”
Aphra Brandreth, MP for Chester South and Eddisbury, said: “I’m delighted that the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill has now passed through the House of Lords and become law. This has been a long journey, first introduced by Baroness Coffey under the previous Government, and I’m thrilled to have taken it forward to finally bring it to this stage.
“This Bill updates legislation to give the police stronger powers to tackle dog attacks on livestock. These attacks cause distress and financial loss for farmers and harm to animals, so this change will make a real difference in protecting rural livelihoods and animal welfare.
“I’m hugely grateful for the support this Bill has received from across Parliament and from farming groups, the police, and rural communities. It’s been a long time coming, but I’m proud that together we’ve ensured this important measure has become law.”
The changes to the Bill also extend protection to incidents that happen on roads or paths, recognising that attacks can happen as farmers move their livestock. It also expands the definition of livestock to include camelids such as llamas and alpacas.