With peak lambing season underway, the NFU, and are working together to raise awareness of the issue and urge people to keep their dogs on a lead around livestock.
The latest figures from insurer NFU Mutual show that farm animals in the South East of England worth an estimated 拢139,000 were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in 2024, up 23% on 2023.
This contrasts with the UK trend, which saw almost 拢1.8m of livestock injured or killed in these incidents, down 26% compared to 2023.
Many incidents go unreported
Livestock farmers in Kent have also reported a significant rise in attacks on their farm animals.
Kent sheep farmer and NFU member Tobin Bird, who farms near Cranbrook, started his dog training business, , 12 years ago to tackle the problem.
Mr Bird said: 鈥淭hese figures are very concerning and there are also many incidents that are not reported, which are not included in the figures.
鈥淧eople often come to me for dog training after an incident. I was training about 300 dogs a year. That shot up to 500 a year for a period after lockdown.
鈥淲e have seen a rise in dog ownership. People are often unaware of what their dogs are capable of and how quickly things can get out of control. It is vital that people keep their dog on a lead around livestock.
鈥淧eople need to be aware of their surroundings and make sure their dogs are properly trained. Treat-based training does not work when it comes to stopping dogs from chasing livestock.
鈥淚t is also important to check your properties and gardens are secure when you have dogs.鈥�
Huge emotional and financial cost
Livestock worrying includes barking, chasing, biting and killing. It is a criminal offence and dog owners could be liable for prosecution or a fine.
Under the Animals Act 1971, a dog could be shot if caught in the act by a landowner, as a last resort. Incidents cause anxiety, miscarriage, and terrible injuries, often leading to euthanasia by a vet.
Mr Bird said: 鈥淚鈥檝e seen some horrible incidents - it is awful to see animals suffer this way.
鈥淭he dog often thinks it is playing a game, but the stress of being chased can lead to sheep having a miscarriage. Livestock worrying also has a huge emotional and financial impact on farmers.
鈥淚 appreciate that most dog owners are responsible, but everyone needs to take responsibility for their pets in order to tackle this very serious issue.鈥�
Follow the Countryside Code
Samantha Padfield, operations manager for the Compliance Food Chain team at Kent Trading Standards, which works with farmers across the county, said: 鈥淲e want to make people aware of the risk to livestock if your dog is off its lead near a herd or flock. Its predator instinct can be triggered, especially if cows or sheep panic and start to run.
鈥淎s well as bites, the animals can injure themselves running or jumping in fear and there is the threat of miscarriage at this time of the year.
鈥淵ou and your family might also find yourselves in a dangerous situation with charging cattle.
鈥淥ur county is beautiful and there are footpaths there to be enjoyed, but to stop everyone鈥檚 day taking a terrible turn for the worst, heed the warning signs while you are out and about. Take unpredictability and risk out of it and simply keep your dog on the lead.鈥�
People are advised to follow the Countryside Code, .