A person who owns, or is in charge of a dog which worries livestock on any agricultural land commits the offence of livestock worrying.
The term ‘worrying’ means:
- attacking livestock;
- chasing livestock in such a way as may be reasonably expected to cause injury or suffering; in the case of ewes, this includes abortion or loss or reduction in the number of offspring;
- not having a dog on a lead or under close control when close by, or in a field or enclosure with livestock.
If you are concerned about your livestock being worried or have witnessed an offence please contact your local police on 101 or in cases of an emergency dial 999. For more information on Worrying livestock please see Devon and Cornwall Police: Livestock worrying | Devon and Cornwall Police (devon-cornwall.police.uk)