(1)The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 (“the 1953 Act”) is amended as follows.
(2)The title of section 1 becomes “ Offence where dog attacks or worries livestock on agricultural land ”.
(3)In that section—
(a)in subsection (1), after “a dog” insert “ attacks or ”,
(b)in subsection (2), paragraph (a) is repealed,
(c)in paragraph (b) of subsection (2A)—
(i)after “guide dog” insert “ or other assistance dog ”,
(ii)after “hunt” insert “ , but only if and to the extent that the dog is performing the role in question ”,
(d)in subsection (4)—
(i)before “worrying” insert “ attacking or ”,
(ii)before “worried” insert “ attacked or ”,
(e)in subsection (6), for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute—
“(a)to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months;
(b)to a fine not exceeding £40,000; or
(c)both.”.
(4)In subsection (2) of section 2, before “worrying” insert “ attacking or ”.
(5)The modification made by subsection (3)(e) applies only to offences committed on or after the date on which the modification comes into force.