Nearly four in five shepherds have been attacked by a dog in the past year, and calls for new action are growing as lambing season begins.
The National Sheep Association (NSA) is preparing to launch its annual Dog Involved Sheep Trouble Awareness Week, warning that incidents are common as daylight hours get longer and more dog walkers head into the countryside.
The campaign, which begins on March 30, coincides with peak lambing season, when ewes and newborn lambs are most vulnerable. Farmers frequently report sheep becoming exhausted and being chased, lambs aborting, or being attacked and fatally injured.
Sheep anxiety refers to dogs chasing, attacking, or causing distress to livestock, even if there is no physical contact.
The scale of the problem is underlined by industry figures. A recent industry survey found that nearly four in five shepherds have experienced a dog attack on their flock in the past year, often multiple times.
Separate research from NFU Mutual estimates the total cost of livestock of concern across the UK in 2024 to be £1.8m, with the Midlands accounting for £452,000 and the South West £225,000 of losses.
The issue has also led to stricter legal action. The Dogs (Protection of Domestic Animals) (Amendment) Act 2025 has received Royal Assent and strengthens existing domestic livestock concern legislation in England and Wales.
Maximum fines have been increased from £1,000 to an unlimited fine, and police have been given greater powers to intervene if dogs pose a continuing danger to livestock.
The NSA said the issue continues to have a serious impact on animal welfare, farmers’ mental health and business survival, and reports of attacks have increased in recent years.
For the first time, the association is asking dog owners across the UK to share their experiences of worrying about sheep.
The aim of this research is to identify where there are gaps in education about responsible dog ownership and how farmers, organizations and the public can work together more effectively to reduce accidents.
Awareness Week begins with an online results event for journalists and agriculture writers on Monday 30th March from 12pm to 1pm.
The campaign will run throughout this week under the hashtag #LeadOn, reminding dog walkers to keep their pets on a leash when around livestock. A media toolkit has also been released to encourage broader participation in spreading the message.
The NSA said the 2026 survey results will help shape future teaching, education efforts and collaboration with the public.
With lamb farming taking place in large parts of the UK, the association stressed that responsible dog ownership is essential to protect livestock, protect rural livelihoods and prevent inevitable suffering on farms.
The National Sheep Association represents sheep producers across the UK and is funded by its sheep farmer membership.
