Delivering knowledge and skills for the future of shooting
We would like to hear from you to help shape BASC’s training courses and educational provision for the future.
Get information on the legal shooting season for mammals and birds in the UK.
Learn about our current conservation projects and how you can get involved.
Comprehensive information and advice from our specialist firearms team.
Everything you need to know about shotgun, rifle and airgun ammunition.
Find our up-to-date information, advice and links to government resources.
Everything you need to know on firearms law and licensing.
All the latest news and advice on general licences and how they affect you.
For the majority, the topic of livestock worrying brings up image of an out-of-control dog chasing sheep round and round, until exhaustion or worse takes grip. However, many people may not realise that it can also significantly impact other types of livestock, including gamebirds (when kept).
The combination of an out-of-control dog and a release pen or rearing field makes the risk of gamebird fatalities, injuries and stress very real. This is not to mention the distress and anger caused to any owner of livestock.
The combination of an out-of-control dog and a release pen or rearing field makes the risk of gamebird fatalities, injuries and stress very real. This is not to mention the distress and anger caused to any owner of livestock.
BASC was, from the outset, supportive of the Scottish Parliament’s Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill, first introduced by SNP Emma Harper MSP.Â
Having received royal assent, the Act has brought tougher penalties for livestock worrying. It has also provided an extension of the offence to include an up-to-date list of livestock species, including gamebirds (when kept).
The inclusion of gamebirds was welcomed by BASC Scotland’s gamekeeping working group and Scottish members.Â
By providing a raft of evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s rural economy and connectivity committee, BASC was able to secure the inclusion of enclosed gamebirds within the Bill.
As part of a wave of new welfare legislation, the UK Government has made its intentions clear. It will update its livestock list to include enclosed gamebirds and deer through the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill.Â
Like in Scotland, these changes will help reassure game farmers and gamekeepers that they will be protected from gamebird worrying through the courts.
What is missing from this new Bill is the introduction of tougher penalties for those found guilty of livestock worrying. This has been raised by BASC alongside many farming and rural organisations. Â
Feedback from BASC members has shown the Covid pandemic has resulted in more dogs and people visiting the countryside.Â
Considering the damage and stress that out-of-control dogs can cause, it is only right that the punishment fits the crime.
If you have been victim of dogs worrying gamebirds in pens, please contact alex.farrell@basc.org.uk. Sharing your experiences will help us to present a full picture the Bill next comes up for debate.
Do you need assistance from our game and gamekeeping team? Head to our dedicated pages to find online advice and guidance, and to get in touch.
We would like to hear from you to help shape BASC’s training courses and educational provision for the future.
Read the joint statement issued in response to the NGDA’s announcement regarding lead-free supply chains from 1 July 2022.
Read our update and response to the removal of GL43 by Defra, which covers the release of gamebirds on or within 500m of protected sites.
Sign up to our weekly newsletter and get all the latest updates straight to your inbox.
© 2023 British Association for Shooting and Conservation. Registered Office: Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham, LL12 0HL – Registered Society No: 28488R. BASC is a trading name of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 311937.
If you have any questions or complaints about your BASC membership insurance cover, please email us. More information about resolving complaints can be found on the FCA website or on the EU ODR platform.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.
Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.
Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!
More information about our Cookie Policy