Cheshire farmer backs change to policing rural dog attacks

A farmer whose animals have been attacked by dogs twice said he hoped a change in the law would help bring more offenders to justice.

Phil Latham, from Cheshire, said he collected DNA and video footage after one attack but was told by the police it could not be used.

Chester South and Eddisbury MP Aphra Brandreth’s bill would give police more powers to use such evidence and extend the offence of livestock worrying to cover animals such as alpacas.

Mr Latham said the impact of dog attacks was “not just the money, but the heartache”.

Brandreth told BBC Politics North West the bill was about “responsible dog ownership”, and it had been prompted by her meeting Mr Latham last year.

The Conservative MP’s bill, the…