LATEST figures from NFU Mutual estimate that farm animals in the South West of England worth an estimated £225,000 were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in 2024, falling 37 per cent compared to the previous year.

It mirrors the UK trend which saw almost £1.8m of livestock injured or killed in these incidents, down 26 per cent compared to 2023.

The data comes as NFU Mutual’s new survey of 1,136 dog owners found 57 per cent let their dogs off lead in the countryside but, worryingly, only 40 per cent admitted their pet always comes back when recalled.

And 43 per cent believed their dog was capable of causing the death or injury of livestock, up 11 per cent compared to the previous year’s survey.

And, if present at an attack, just over half would intervene to stop it, while 20 per cent would tell a local farmer and 17 per cent would call the police.

Nine in 10 people said they would welcome tougher legislation on livestock worrying in England and Wales.

It comes as a new Bill improving powers available to police for dealing with dog attacks on livestock is making its way through Parliament. NFU Mutual welcomes the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill, because it will support existing efforts to reduce these incidents.

Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual’s rural affairs specialist, said: “Farmers across the UK are living in fear of repeat attacks, which cause horrific suffering to livestock and can traumatise all involved in dealing with the aftermath. Anecdotally, we’ve heard of many incidents where dogs have injured and killed sheep and the owner is powerless to stop it or is nowhere to be seen.

The Midlands was the worst-hit region by cost, with dog attacks on livestock costing an estimated £452,000, followed by the South West.