Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Livestock Worrying

Thursday 22 July 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial measures are being introduced as part of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill to address livestock worrying.
  • The new legislation will cover more species and locations, strengthen enforcement, and allow police to collect evidence in serious cases.
  • The Minister is willing to meet with colleagues to discuss further strengthening of the legislation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robin Millar
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Farmers in Aberconwy have reported incidents of dogs out of control posing a threat to livestock. Recently, five ewes were killed by two attacks in one day.

Question

What steps are being taken to help tackle livestock worrying? Farmers in Aberconwy have been speaking about the threat that dogs out of control pose to livestock. Dan Jones from Great Orme reported just yesterday that five ewes were killed in two attacks on a single day. This week, I supported my hon. Friend Virginia Crosbie's Bill to amend the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 because this is a UK-wide problem.

Answer from Victoria Prentis

New measures are being introduced as part of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill. These will expand species and locations covered, enhance enforcement, and provide improved powers for police to collect evidence. In serious cases, dogs can be seized and detained. I would be delighted to meet colleagues to discuss this further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifics on new measures and timeline for legislation were not provided in detail.

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Q2 Robin Millar
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Farmers in Aberconwy have reported incidents of dogs out of control posing a threat to livestock. Dan Jones from the Great Orme recently lost five ewes in two attacks.

Question

Will the Minister meet with colleagues to discuss how legislation can be strengthened further? This week I supported my hon. Friend Virginia Crosbie's Bill to amend the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 because this is a UK-wide problem.

Answer from Victoria Prentis

I would be delighted to meet colleagues to discuss this important subject. New measures in the Bill specify that a dog will be considered to be at large unless it is on a lead of less than 1.8 metres or the dog remains in sight of the owner, who is aware of the dog's actions and confident that the dog will return if called.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details about specific legislation amendments were not provided.

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