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Closed petition Amend legislation relating to dogs in the presence of livestock
I want the Government to make it a specific criminal offence for owners to let their dogs off a lead if near livestock, and to remove the legal defence for killing or injuring a dog if the defendant can prove they acted to protect their livestock.
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If a dog causes damage to livestock, the owners should be charged and pay civil damages.
Existing legislation, including the Animals Act 1971, needs updating to reflect the views and attitudes towards all animals. Giving farmers a legal defence for killing or injuring dogs is disproportionate, when this is something that dogs are naturally inclined to do. The owners should be punished, not the dogs.
This petition is closed All petitions run for 6 months