A VICIOUS and unprovoked assault on a farmer who challenged three men with dogs loose on his land has prompted police to launch a manhunt.

Eric Miller needed hospital treatment after he was attacked from behind, then kicked in the head and chest while he was on the ground.

It happened after the trio trespassed on to his land and he went outside to ask them to control their dogs.

The assault occurred just as 54-year-old Mr Miller was sitting down to dinner with his family on Wednesday evening at their County Durham farm.

Mr Miller, an arable and cattle farmer, had been particularly concerned because the men had been heading towards fields where his sheep were grazing, with two dogs off the lead.

He said he had caught men with dogs on his land at Neasham, near Darlington, on average twice a week since July. “I have had several incidents of late with dogs on farmland,” he told The Northern Echo.

“These lads were going along the track, heading in the direction of the sheep.

“I felt like I needed to follow them to tell them to get the dogs under control. I think two of them were drunk.”

Mr Miller, who runs Neasham Springs Farm, spoke to the men and asked them to put their dogs on leads, but was met with abuse.

“They were being aggressive.

I was remonstrating with one of them, who had just made some insulting comments about my family, and another one whacked me over the head.

“I was down on the floor and they were kicking me in my ribs and head before I managed to get to my feet.”

The men ran away across fields towards Neasham village.

The police have issued descriptions of the men. The first is described as in his early 20s, about 5ft 10in and wearing a blue hooded top and a back pack.

The second was 16 or 17, with short, spiky hair. He was wearing tracksuit bottoms.

The third had a thin face and a shaved head. He was about 5ft 6in. The dogs were lurcher types.

Detective Constable Jonathan Stoker said: “The aggressors had the chance to leave the premises without fuss, but instead chose to get involved in confrontation and carried out a vicious and unprovoked attack.”

Anyone with any information about the assault is asked to call Darlington CID on 0345- 606-0365.