Nurture Veterinary Hospital has warned dog owners to keep pets on short leads near livestock after tougher laws came into force.

Dog owners in Wells are being urged to take extra care in the countryside after changes to the law on livestock worrying came into force.

A spokesperson for Nurture said: "As of 18th March 2026, the Dogs Protection of Livestock Act 2025 is officially in force across England and Wales."

They added: "Livestock worrying now officially includes chasing or causing distress - physical contact or a bite is not required for an offence to occur."

The practice said the law now also covers incidents on roads and paths, not just open fields, and includes animals such as alpacas and llamas.

The Vet Hospital warned owners that the previous £1,000 cap on fines had gone, meaning courts can now hand out unlimited fines.

The spokesperson added that police officers can now seize and detain dogs, enter premises with a warrant and even take DNA samples or dental impressions from a dog to link it to an incident.

They also warned: "If there is a risk of a repeat offence, your dog can be held by the police, and you may be billed for the costs. To stay safe, you must keep your dog on a short lead whenever you are near livestock. 'Under close control' is no longer enough if your dog is loose in an enclosure with sheep."

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