Cornwall livestock worth £225,000 injured or killed in dog attacks last year
Farm animals in Cornwall and the wider South West worth an estimated £225,000 were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in 2024, according to the latest figures from NFU Mutual.
Although the total represents a 37% fall compared to the previous year, rural insurers say livestock worrying remains a serious concern for farmers across the region.
Nationally, almost £1.8 million worth of farm animals were injured or killed in dog attacks last year - down 26% on 2023 - but campaigners warn the emotional and financial toll on farming families remains significant.
Farmer Olliver Stephens told us of his traumatic experience loosing one of his animals:
"You have to put them where the most suitable place is for them. And you put a lot of trust in the public."
"Twice daily I go out there and I cheque them and I go out there and I find the whole herd huddled up extremely tight and stressed in one corner of the field. From counting them I knew one was missing."
"So I go around the boundary and have a look and that's when I can see the trail of destruction where it's one animal has been chased" he told us.
"I found it upside down completely dead. So, that's a total loss and a bill from our local disposal company to come and pick it up."
He went onto remind people of the consequences of having an uncontrollable animal by livestock.
Farmers in the Uk are legally allowed to protect their livestock, which means they can injure or kill any dog that is worrying or about to worry livestock.
Concerns over dog control
The figures come as a new survey of more than 1,100 dog owners found that 57% allow their dogs off lead in the countryside. However, only 40% said their dog always comes back when recalled.
Worryingly, 43% of owners believed their dog was capable of causing the death or injury of livestock — an increase on the previous year.
If present during an attack, just over half said they would step in to stop it, while 20% would inform a local farmer and 17% would call police.
Nine in ten respondents said they would support tougher laws to tackle livestock worrying.
New legislation progressing
The data has been released as the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill makes its way through Parliament. The proposed law would strengthen police powers to investigate and respond to dog attacks on farm animals.
NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist Hannah Binns said farmers often live “in fear of repeat attacks”, which can cause horrific suffering to animals and leave owners traumatised.
She added that while the fall in claims is welcome, “many incidents still go unreported” and urged dog owners to keep pets on leads near livestock and ensure they are under close control at all times.
The Midlands was the worst-hit region by cost last year, followed by the South West.
Farmers are reminding walkers that even well-behaved dogs can chase or injure sheep and cattle, and that owners can face significant fines and compensation claims if their pets attack livestock.