The recent revision of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 has caused confusion within the equestrian community after it emerged that it does not explicitly protect horses while being ridden or driven on public roads, bridleways, or other public access routes.
The legislation was updated in March this year, with changes widely understood to extend protections against livestock worrying and dog attacks to roads and paths. Many horse owners and riders initially believed this meant ridden horses would now be covered in the event of incidents occurring in public spaces.
However, clarification sought through Defra has confirmed that this is not the case.
According to Defra, while horses are included within the legal definition of livestock and the Act does extend to situations where livestock are being moved between fields along roads and paths, it does not apply to horses that are being ridden or driven in public areas such as roads, bridleways, or open access land.
Instead, incidents involving ridden horses may fall under alternative legislation, most commonly the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, depending on the circumstances.
Defra also confirmed that in cases where a horse is attacked by a dog while being ridden, enforcement may rely on whether the dog was dangerously out of control. It noted that such assessments are made on a case-by-case basis, with decisions on prosecution resting with the Crown Prosecution Service and ultimately the courts.
This clarification means that riders cannot assume incidents involving dog attacks on ridden horses will be dealt with under livestock worrying legislation, despite initial expectations following the law change.
The position has been met with disappointment within parts of the equestrian community, particularly given the ongoing concerns around dog attacks on horses and the perceived need for clearer, more consistent legal protection for riders and carriage drivers in public spaces.
Campaigners such as Leash & Release, which works to raise awareness of dog attacks on equines and promote responsible dog ownership, continue to call for stronger protections and clearer legislation covering incidents involving horses in all environments.
The issue has renewed discussion around how existing laws are interpreted and applied, and whether further reform is needed to ensure consistent protection for horses both in fields and when being ridden or driven in public.