NFU working to stamp out rural crime

Rural crime and livestock worrying is a problem facing many NFU members and figures from NFU Mutual reveal that farm animals worth an estimated £2.4 million were severely injured or killed by dogs in 2023, up 30% on the previous year.

It’s one of several issues the NFU is campaigning for, and by raising awareness of the issue and how it affects members, the hope is to help members of the public understand the impact and why controlling their animals near farmland is so important.

Overwhelming emotional devastation

NFU member, Emily Gascoigne, understands the issue very well. This is her story.

“In early 2023, I witnessed first-hand the devastation that a livestock attack can cause. A dog had broken into our flock of sheep, leaving several severely injured breeding ewes.

“The emotional devastation was overwhelming, but what made it even worse was the feeling of helplessness.

“Although the offender had been seen, they fled before they could be identified and left us with no way to hold them accountable.

“Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common. Livestock worrying continues to rise, costing farmers financially and emotionally. And yet, despite the scale of the issue, so many cases go unreported or unresolved.”

DNA testing could be a game changer 

Emily continues: “One of the biggest challenges when an attack happens is identifying the dog responsible.

“In some cases, a farmer may witness the attack but, more often than not, we only find the aftermath – sheep dead, injured or missing.

“DNA testing could be a game-changer, providing a definitive link between a dog and an attack.

“However, while current testing methods are effective, they rely on collecting samples quickly, which is something that can be a major barrier in real-world farming situations.

“By the time police can arrive, crucial DNA evidence may be lost or degraded, making it difficult to prove which dog was responsible.”

Emily is supporting a research project at Liverpool John Moore University that is focusing on making DNA evidence collection more accessible.

Taking samples is currently most often left to specialist crime scene investigators, but this isn’t always realistic in rural and remote areas.

Emily continues: “The research is testing whether police officers on the ground – or even farmers and vets – could reliably collect DNA samples themselves using simple, cost-effective methods.

“While it is still in its early stages, if it is successful it could lead to faster investigations, increased prosecutions and a stronger deterrent against irresponsible dog ownership.”

Aims to strengthen laws

It’s clear that there is a vital need for change. The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill, sponsored by Aphra Brandreth MP, and supported by the NFU, is currently going through parliament and aims to strengthen laws and grant the police more powers to tackle livestock worrying.

The NFU has been at the forefront of lobbying for these changes, ensuring that farmers have the legal backing they need to protect their livestock.

DNA testing is referenced in the proposed legislation, but for it to be effective, the right systems need to be in place as soon as the bill becomes law.

Research such as that being undertaken by Liverpool John Moore University could be crucial in making that happen.

“Of course, DNA testing alone won’t solve the problem, but it is a powerful tool that could help make a difference.

“If we can prove its reliability, it could lead to a national rollout, equipping regional police forces across the country with a scientific method to identify dogs and prosecute reckless dog owners.”

Underreporting a key issue 

Another large-scale barrier to tackling livestock worrying is underreporting.

In 2023, only 14 cases were officially recorded in Dorset, yet Emily knows through conversations with farmers that the true number was much higher.

“Many incidents go unreported because farmers feel nothing will come of it, but this only means that the scale of the problem is vastly underestimated.

“If every farmer reported each attack, it would send a clear message to police and policymakers in government that this is a serious and continually growing problem.

“It strengthens the case for more funding, better enforcement and stronger laws to better protect our animals and farms.”

Emily, like so many of our members, understand first-hand how frustrating and heart-breaking it is to deal with a livestock attack.

But by working together with the authorities and with the NFU – by reporting every incident, improving evidence collection and pushing for legislative change – together we can take meaningful steps to protect farm animals and hold irresponsible dog owners to account.

Join the NFU today and add your voice to the issues that matter and help us to shape a brighter future for British farming.

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