21 Aug 2018
Farmers Guardian Take the Lead campaign
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Aim of the campaign
- Helping farmers to take the lead and address the growing problem
- Urging the public to take the lead and keep control of their dogs
What we are doing
- FG is working with leading farming and rural organisations to raise awareness of livestock worrying and reduce the number of dog attacks
- We are targeting dog, lifestyle and countryside magazines to raise the importance of the issue which costs businesses millions of pounds each year and leaves farmers devastated
- We have produced signs for farmers to put up around their fields which will be sent out with copies of Farmers Guardian on April 11. In the meantime, a downloadable poster to warn walkers of the consequences of livestock worrying is available now on our website
- FG will be speaking about the issue to 10,000 people at the Just Dogs Live show at the Peterborough arena this summer and will also be giving out free signs at the major agricultural shows
- In conjunction with our partners BVA and NSA, we will spread the message through social media and the national and regional press, both print and broadcast
Follow and support the campaign on twitter with #FGtakethelead
Getting our Take the Lead signs
We have 1,000s of livestock worrying signs which you can nail to gateposts or fenceposts near footpaths to highlight the problem to walkers.
If you would like some of these signs, please send a stamped, self-addressed A4 envelope to
FG Take the Lead, Farmers Guardian,
Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park,
Preston, Lancashire,
PR2 9NZ.
You will need at least three First Class or Second Class stamps on to cover postage costs. We will be able send up to 25 signs.
Wide ranging support for FG’s Take the Lead campaign
Farmers Guardian’s Take the Lead campaign has been backed by a wide range of high profile rural groups including the Women’s Food and Farming Union, British Horse Society, Lake District National Park, Countryside Alliance, Farmers Union of Wales, NFU Scotland, NFU and NFU Mutual, The Farming Forum, CLA, Ramblers and the RSPCA.
Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) president, Harry Sinclair
Livestock worrying is a serious issue in Northern Ireland, which can have a significant impact on farm businesses and it is particularly concerning there has been a rise in incidents in 2013.
Livestock worrying is something that is preventable and the education of dog owners and farmers via campaigns such as ‘Take the Lead’ is paramount.”
Dominic Shann, Scottish National Heritage (SNH)
“There’s no doubt it is great to be out with your dog in Scotland, but it is important dog walkers remember their dogs can frighten and cause distress to sheep, cattle and other farm animals. Irresponsible dog-walking causes problems for farmers, wildlife and other visitors alike.”
Ryan O’Meara, K9 Magazine editor-in-chief
“For thousands of years dogs and livestock have been able to live harmoniously and it is a simple lack of attention to dog training and a refusal to acknowledge the serious consequences of allowing to dog to worry livestock which is at the heart of the problem.”
Tim Farron, South Lakes MP
“Walking in the countryside is something we all love to do and as a dog owner myself I know that a small minority of owners ruin it for everyone. I hope this campaign will help make a difference and I want to pay tribute to the Farmers Guardian for launching it.”
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