SHOWING a 'red light' to letting dogs off the lead near livestock has had a dramatic impact in cutting attacks on a farm where problems had been on the rise.

Both farmer Rob Brown and local countryside access officer Chris Scaife believe the 'traffic lights' scheme could be taken up in other areas in a bid to reduce incidents.

The project, which started as a one-year pilot scheme in January 2017, has gained national attention, with a report on dog attacks produced in the autumn by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare citing it as a good example of preventative work.

About half a dozen of the signs featuring red, amber and green colours have been put up on footpaths running through Brierton North Farm, outside Hartlepool.

Mr Brown said 'green' told walkers that they were a couple of fields away from any livestock and they could let their dogs off the lead, though they should keep them within reach.

The 'amber' signs were around the farmyard and pastures where livestock were present and asked them to keep dogs on a lead.

They put up the 'red' signs at sensitive times such as the run-up to lambing time and when the tups went out, which asked dog owners to take alternative routes or, if they were not prepared or able to do this, to keep their pets on a lead at all times.

He said there were three paths running across the farm, with routes through the farmyard, across pasture and around the edge.

They had noticed an increase in attacks by dogs, then about three years ago there was a particularly bad one which left three ewes dead, others badly injured and lambs orphaned.

He contacted Hartlepool Borough Council because he wanted the footpaths to be closed, but feedback suggested this would draw opposition and would not be feasible.

So instead Mr Scaife, the council's countryside access officer, suggested trying the signs, having heard of a similar scheme involving nesting birds in the South Downs.

The signs cost about £2,400, met by the council and funds from the police and crime commissioner, and have proved highly successful so far as people walking with their dogs on the footpaths are concerned.

Mr Brown said they did have an incident about a year after the signs went up, which led to the death of one ewe, while another which appeared to have recovered died shortly after lambing due to previously undetected wounds, but the dogs involved had been with a group of poachers at night.

In the case of people walking their pets during the day, where previously they had seen a rise on problems with dogs getting away from their owners and attacking sheep, the signs had made a real difference.

"Everyone either has their dog on a lead or they take the alternative route shown on the signs," he said. "The issue we had before was people walking through with their dogs, and letting their dogs run loose, and then getting a fright when their dogs attacked a sheep."

He added: "Anyone who's got a footpath going through their farmyard or a stock field, I would say look at it, so long as they can provide an alternative route."

Mr Scaife said although the pilot scheme had now ended they had decided to keep the signs in place because they had worked so well. One of the

benefits of the signs was that it balanced the interests of the farmer and the walkers. "You are asking for the walkers' help, making them feel involved," he said.

"We thought it was an opportunity to help the landowner and still make sure the rights of way were there to be used."

Mr Scaife said the scheme was being looked at in other areas and he believed it could work elsewhere, though it would have to be adapted for each individual farm. For example, Mr Brown also had arable land which could be used for dogs to run, which may not be possible in completely livestock areas. He added that other farmers would probably have to cover the costs of any signs on their land.