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Olivia Midgley, ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian editor, said:

"The impact of dog attacks on livestock cannot be underestimated. While animal deaths and serious dog bites are a very visible result of livestock worrying, there are also the invisible costs of an increased chance of the animal aborting and the stress caused by the attack resulting in problems with health, fertility and growth rates.

"Livestock worrying can have a huge impact on animal health and welfare, and also causes considerable stress and financial loss for the farmer.

"We want to encourage responsible dog owners to Take the Lead when it comes to safeguarding both their dogs and livestock when out walking in the countryside. It is important to remember that even for the best trained dogs, instinct can take over, so we are urging dog owners to keep their dog on a lead when around livestock."

READ NOW: Livestock worrying costs farmers £2.4 million a year

Free signs warning dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead near livestock are available through ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian's Take the Lead campaign, in association with the National Sheep Association.

To request yours, send a stamped self-addressed A4 envelope to: FG Take the Lead, ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ.

We will be able to send up to 25 signs.