Livestock insecurity cost British farmers nearly £2 million last year as dog attacks continued to wipe out herds ahead of lambing season.
New figures from rural insurer NFU Mutual estimate that animals worth £1.95 million will be seriously injured or killed in livestock attacks in 2025, an increase of 10% on the previous year.
The findings, taken in conjunction with a survey of more than 1,400 dog owners, suggest that many people still underestimate the risks posed by pets in rural areas.
One in 10 dog owners admit their dog has no memory, but 57% said they still take their pet off-leash when walking in the countryside. A further 44% said their dog returned only “some of the time” or “most of the time.”
Livestock concerns include dogs chasing, attacking, or causing distress to livestock, even when there is no physical contact.
One in 20 owners confessed that their dog had chased livestock, but almost two-thirds said they did not believe their dog was capable of harming or killing livestock.
The figures follow the passage of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act (Amendment), which increases police powers and allows tougher penalties for attacks in England and Wales.
NFU mutual rural affairs specialist Hannah Binns said the increase was particularly worrying at such a critical time.
“As the lambing season begins, we are very concerned that the estimated cost of livestock will rise to nearly £2 million in 2025,” she said.
“For farmers and their families, it can be extremely heartbreaking to witness such a horrific incident, or to discover injured or dead livestock after an attack.”
Ms Binns warned that any dog, regardless of size or temperament, could cause harm.
“Ignoring risk is never an option. All dogs, regardless of breed, size or temperament, can chase, injure or kill livestock,” she says.
Rob Taylor, head of livestock attacks at the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said the impact on rural areas remained severe.
“The estimated cost of livestock is rising and the dire impact it is having on our rural areas is alarming,” he said.
He added that police hope the new law, scheduled to come into force in March, will improve the way courts investigate and handle cases.
Regionally, the Midlands was the worst-hit area in England with losses of £438,000, with costs in the South East more than doubling on the previous year to £330,000.
NFU Mutual is appealing to dog owners to keep their pets on leashes near livestock, to report accidents and to never allow dogs to roam unsupervised near grazing animals.
Lamb slaughter is on the rise in many parts of the country, and insurance companies warned this spring that responsible dog ownership could prevent further unnecessary losses.
