Take the Lead sign ripped down from farm gate by angry dog walker

Farmer Guardian editor Ben Briggs received an anonymous letter with the torn-down sign which was described as ’objectionable and rude’.

It read: "This sort of sign is incompetent and unhelpful. It fosters a deeper gulf between farmers and the majority of other country people and visiting countryside users.

"It is objectionable, rude and overstates a small problem.

Disgusting: some moron has ripped down & posted me 1 of FG’s Take the Lead signs & said dog attacks aren’t a problem! pic.twitter.com/DoB169n4nc

— Ben Briggs (@FGBen)

Disgusting: some moron has ripped down & posted me 1 of FG's Take the Lead signs & said dog attacks aren't a problem! pic.twitter.com/DoB169n4nc

— Ben Briggs (@FGBen) August 14, 2017

"Please ask dog owners to keep their pets under control, rather than ordering them to keep dogs on leads - something farmers have no right to do.

"At this time, during Brexit, farmers should be reaching out to country people - not just shouting at them."

The ’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.

It aims to raise awareness of livestock worrying and reduce the number of dog attacks.