Dog attacks cost farmers in Northamptonshire region over £450,000 last year
The Midlands has seen a rise in attacks compared to the UK as a whole which has seen a decrease
An insurance company that looks after farmers in Northamptonshire and across the UK has revealed new statistics which show a growing issue of dogs attacking livestock.
In the Midlands including East Midlands, an estimated £452,000 were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in 2024, up 36% on 2023 (£331,000).
This contrasts the UK trend which saw a decrease in attacks with almost £1.8m of livestock injured or killed in these incidents, down 26% compared to 2023.
NFU Mutual is asking for dog walkers to be considerate of their surroundings and aware of the consequences of keeping a dog off leash around farm animals.
The report
• UK dog attacks on livestock cost almost an estimated £1.8m last year, down 26% compared to 2023
• NFU Mutual urges responsible dog ownership to prevent more horrific attacks
• 91% of dog owners surveyed keen to see new law to prevent incidents
The data comes as NFU Mutual’s new survey of 1,136 dog owners found 57% let their dogs off lead in the countryside but, worryingly, only 40% admitted their pet always comes back when recalled.
Forty-three percent believed their dog was capable of causing the death or injury of livestock, up 11% compared to the previous year’s survey.
And if present at an attack, just over half would intervene to stop it, while 20% would tell a local farmer and 17% would call the police.
Nine in 10 people said they would welcome tougher legislation on livestock worrying in England and Wales.
Tougher legislation
It comes as a new Bill improving powers available to police for dealing with dog attacks on livestock is making its way through Parliament.
NFU Mutual welcomes the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill, because it will support existing efforts to reduce these incidents.
Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual’s Rural Affairs Specialist told us: “Farmers across the UK are living in fear of repeat attacks, which cause horrific suffering to livestock and can traumatise all involved in dealing with the aftermath.
"Anecdotally, we’ve heard of many incidents where dogs have injured and killed sheep and the owner is powerless to stop it or is nowhere to be seen.
"Ignorance isn't bliss"
When speaking to Hannah we asked her what message she would like to get across the general public to prevent these attacks in the future.
She told us “Ignorance isn’t bliss when it comes to dog attacks on livestock; regardless of size, breed or temperament, all dogs are capable of chasing, injuring and killing farm animals.
"It is vital dog owners act responsibly and keep their pets on leads wherever livestock may be nearby to prevent these needless attacks.
“It is crucial people accept responsibility for their dog if there is an incident and report it, to a local farmer and the police, so that any injured animals are not left suffering in pain.”
Advice to dog walkers
NFU mutual has put together some advice for dog walkers. They're keen for the public to take note especially during lambing season, when they are most vulnerable.
• Keep dogs on a lead when walking in rural areas where livestock are kept but let go of the lead if chased by cattle
• Be aware that all dogs, regardless of size, breed, and temperament, can cause the distress, injury and death of farm animals
• Report attacks by dogs to the police or local farmers
• Never let dogs loose unsupervised in gardens near livestock fields – many attacks are caused by dogs which escape and attack sheep grazing nearby