Collingham, 38, said he was “very upset” when a dog killed a lamb and caused stress to multiple pregnant sheep at his farm in 2024.
“My livestock were victims of it when a group of walkers on my farm lost control of their spaniel, which ran off and mauled and killed a lamb before I could get to it,” he added.
“The dog had no history of such behaviour, and the owners were about a kilometre away and had given up searching, believing it would make its own way home.
“It was the classic ‘my dog wouldn’t do something like that’ attitude.”
The farmer said the recent Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill, external gaining Royal Assent was a “huge step forward” in stopping the problem.
The new amendment empowers police to introduce stronger enforcement powers and increased penalties for irresponsible dog ownership.
Police are now able to take DNA samples or mouth impressions from dogs they suspect of worrying livestock and ensure offenders can be ordered by the courts to pay the costs incurred by seizing and detaining a dog.
Collingham said he still wants people to enjoy the countryside but wants them to do so “safely and responsibly”.
