I am a dog owner and am in the habit of walking on Southwick Hill.

On Saturday, I saw signs on the gates asking that no one cross the land, in order to reduce the risk of spreading foot and mouth.

The signs were very polite, explained the risks and asked for our co-operation.

Unfortunately, some people were ignoring the signs and walking with their dogs on the land where cows graze.

Presumably, these people were animal lovers. Did they not realise their selfish arrogance could result in the mass culling of cattle in this country? And, on another level, the financial ruin of countless farmers?

Southwick Hill is only one of many sites in the Brighton and Hove area shared by farm animals and dog walkers (I saw similar signs at Seddlescombe). If the signs are ignored everywhere, the spread of this dreadful disease will very soon escalate.

-Graham Jordan, gjantiques2000@netscapeonline.co.uk