Farmers in Wales lost an estimated £385,000 worth of livestock to dog attacks last year, a rise of 23 per cent on 2024, according to new figures from rural insurer NFU Mutual.

The increase mirrors a UK-wide trend, with dog attacks on farm animals costing nearly £1.95 million, up 10 per cent compared to the previous year.

The figures come as the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act was passed earlier this year, giving police stronger powers to tackle dog attacks in England and Wales.

NFU Mutual’s latest survey of 1,407 dog owners reveals worrying attitudes in the countryside. More than half (57 per cent) let their dogs off leads, while 10 per cent admitted their dogs have no recall, and 44 per cent said their dogs returned only “some” or “most of the time”.

One in 20 dog owners confessed their dogs had chased livestock, while almost two-thirds did not believe their dogs could harm or kill animals. 72 per cent were not actively taking steps to stop their dogs from chasing livestock, and over three-fifths thought other dog owners did not treat livestock worrying as a serious issue.

NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist, Hannah Binns, said: “As a sheep farmer’s daughter, I know first-hand the hard work, long hours and emotional investment that goes into the lambing season. For farmers and their families, witnessing these horrific incidents or finding injured or dead livestock after an attack can be utterly heartbreaking.

“Farmers across the UK are living with the constant fear of repeat incidents, which cause immense suffering to livestock and can traumatise all involved in dealing with the aftermath. Anecdotally, we continue to hear reports of dogs injuring or killing sheep while owners are either unable to control their pets or are nowhere to be found.

“Ignoring the risks is never an option; regardless of breed, size, or temperament, all dogs can chase, injure or kill livestock. Even without physical contact, the stress of being chased can lead to exhaustion and stress, and in some cases separate young lambs from their mothers, which can lead to them being orphaned.

“It is crucial dog owners act responsibly by keeping their pets on leads wherever livestock may be nearby to prevent these needless attacks. If there is an incident, we urge those involved to do the right thing by informing a local farmer and reporting it to the police, so that any injured animals are not left suffering in pain.”

Rob Taylor, the UK Police NPCC lead for livestock attacks, said: “It is alarming to see a rise in the estimated cost of livestock worrying, and the dreadful impact it has on our farming communities. We have worked tirelessly to improve education as this is about responsible dog ownership, and the problem lays firmly with those owners.

“We look forward to a new law coming into effect in March and we believe it will make a real difference in how cases are investigated and dealt with by our courts.”