Baroness Therese Coffey said: "We need to send a strong message to dog owners right across the country. Farmers are really frustrated that people are not in control of their animals, which can have a major impact and, frankly, too many people are often in denial about that."
A Bill which could modernise the scope of livestock worrying and provide police with greater powers to tackle incidents is one step closer to becoming an Act of Parliament.
Chester South and Eddisbury MP Aphra Brandreth confirmed her Private Members' Bill, the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill, had passed committee stage, a detailed line-by-line examination, last month in the House of Lords.
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Ms Brandreth said legislation will now progress to its third reading to either be passed or rejected entirely.
If the Bill passes the third reading, it will progress to the final stages for consideration of amendments and then Royal Assent, formal approval, from King Charles for the Bill to become an Act.
Police could be provided with increased powers to detain dogs, to gather more evidence at the scene of an incident, and produce unlimited fines to those breaking the law, according to the Chester South and Eddisbury MP.
Baroness Therese Coffey, who tried to progress a similar Bill which failed to progress in time due to the General Election last year, said years of hard work could finally pay off.
"Livestock worrying is an issue of significant concern for farmers and rural communities," the former Defra Secretary added.
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"It causes much distress and cost to animals and farmers.
"That is why I thank the Defra Ministers, who have recognised how important the passage of this Bill is.
"Candidly, they will be much thanked by farmers for doing so. I thank the Defra officials for their help too.
"I know that they have been working on this for some time - frankly, for several years. We are nearly there."
Baroness Coffey said livestock worrying is of the utmost importance to farming communities who have to deal with incidents first-hand.
"We need to ensure that not just what people would perceive to be an attack, direct contact with the animal by the dog, but worrying behaviour more generally is addressed," the former Deputy Prime Minister added.
"To be clear, though, this provision is not creating a new offence; it is clarifying the language throughout the Act.
"In effect, both attacking and worrying are already covered in the 1953 Act, but that is not clear throughout.
"We need to send a strong message to dog owners right across the country.
"Farmers are really frustrated that people are not in control of their animals, which can have a major impact and, frankly, too many people are often in denial about that.
"It is suggested anecdotally that quite a lot of the problems are caused by dogs escaping from their homes.
"Their owners may have no clue about it and would be mortified to know that their dog was on the loose causing such disruption.
"People already have the power to shoot dogs that are worrying livestock, but not all farmers or shepherds want to do that.
"They want the owners to be responsible. That is why I am keen to ensure that the deterrent is sufficiently strong.
"I believe that these modest and, I hope, sensible changes will be important for our farmers and for the animals for which they care."
The Bill's third reading in the House of Lords is scheduled to take place on December 5.
Ms Brandreth said she was delighted that the Bill is getting closer to the final stages.
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"My Private Members' Bill, which is all about dealing with livestock worrying and ensuring the police have greater protections when an attack on animals occurs, has passed Committee stage in the House of Lords," she added.
"We now just have the third reading to go, and if that goes smoothly, we will be looking to send it to the King ready for Royal Assent.
"Thank you to everybody who has supported this really important bill which will make a huge difference for animal welfare and will support our farmers at a time when they really need all the help they can."
The timing of the bill could be significant given the number of livestock worrying incidents which continue to take place on-farm.
Derbyshire Rural Crime Team has been notified of at least three incidents on farms in the county over the past month including a sheep which was killed by a dog attack at a farm in Buxton on October 24.
In the village of Furness Vale, 14 sheep were killed by dogs on-farm sometime between November 1 and 2, according to officers.
Home Affairs Secretary Lord Hanson said tackling rural crime, specifically livestock worrying, is on the Government's agenda.
Take the Lead
You can support Farmers Guardian's 'Take the Lead' campaign, in association with the National Sheep Association, to raise awareness of keeping dogs on lead when near livestock.
We can provide you with free signs, in English and Welsh, to place around your farm warning dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead near livestock.
To request yours, send a stamped self-addressed A4 envelope to: FG Take the Lead, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ.
We will be able to send up to 25 signs.
Alternatively, you can contact reporter Chris Brayford if you have been a victim of a livestock worrying incident and if you wish to share your story at [email protected].
