Two major changes to pet ownership laws are coming in with dog walkers facing unlimited fines
Pet owners are being alerted to two significant legal changes arriving in the coming months across the UK. Those who don’t comply with the regulations risk facing fines and having their animals confiscated.
Fresh rules for dog walkers are due to come into effect in March, with pet owners potentially facing unlimited fines and having their dogs seized. Updated legislation takes effect on 18 March 2026 – broadening police powers and meaning dog owners could face considerable penalties if their pet falls foul of the regulations.
The legislative shift affects people whose dogs attack livestock and will see potential fines rise from £1,000 to unlimited, plus ‘the power to seize and detain a dog where they have reasonable grounds to believe there is a risk that the dog could attack or worry livestock again. ‘.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stated: “Livestock worrying can happen when a dog attacks, chases or is loose among livestock. Dogs don’t need to make contact for harm to occur. Fear and stress alone can harm livestock, and, in severe cases, cause them to die.
“The impact on livestock keepers can be devastating. They face financial loss as well as personal distress.”
The new legislation concerns people who own primates – whilst there are also sanctions that could affect anyone taking their dog for a walk. The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 will take effect on 6 April 2025, with a 12-month transition period.
From 6 April 2026, anyone privately keeping a primate in England will require a licence and must meet welfare standards matching those demanded in zoos. The licensing requirements cover the following species: Marmosets, Tamarins, Squirrel monkeys, Spider monkeys, Capuchin monkeys, Lemurs, Lorisids (also known as bush babies).
Councillor Andrew Last, Cabinet Member for HR, Corporate and Regulatory Services at Northampton Council, issued a warning: “These changes are about putting animal welfare first and recognising that primates have highly complex needs. Our priority as a Council is to make sure people are aware of what’s coming, understand the standards required, and have time to plan ahead.
“We want to support owners with clear information and guidance so that no one is taken by surprise when the licensing scheme comes into effect. ” Anyone currently keeping a primate, or who might be impacted by the changes, is urged to seek advice early and examine the licensing conditions well before April 2026.
Dog walking changes
The act which comes into force on March 18 is worded so that attacking livestock is treated separately from worrying livestock. This reframing helps make the violent nature of livestock attacks much clearer. It doesn’t create a new offence as both behaviours are already covered in the 1953 act, but it does make the distinction explicit.
Rules include:
introduces a new defence for dog owners to exempt them from liability where the dog was in the charge of another person at the time of the offence without the owner’s consent, for instance if the dog was stolenintroduces new powers allowing a court to order an offender to pay expenses associated with seizing and detaining a dogprovides a clear deterrent by increasing the penalty from a fine of up to £1,000 to an unlimited fine
In addition, the law gives police new and improved powers to improve their investigations, including:
the power to seize and detain a dog where they have reasonable grounds to believe there is a risk that the dog could attack or worry livestock again. The dog can be detained until an investigation has been carried out or, if proceedings are brought for an offence, until those proceedings have been determined or withdrawnthe powers to enter and search premises to identify, seize and detain a dog for the prevention of future incidents, to collect samples or impressions, or seize any other evidence
For more information on the dog walking law click here.
Licensing process for keeping primates
Law comes into force in England after April 6 2026. Local authorities are responsible for administering and enforcing this licensing regime. Local authorities must make sure that:
individuals who apply for a licence are likely to meet the licence conditionslicences are not granted to individuals that are disqualified from keeping primatesthey take appropriate enforcement action against those individuals who do not have a licence when they shouldthey monitor compliance with the licence conditions themselves
For more information on the primate law click here.
