IT was with horror that I head the news that a woman had been trampled to death by cattle when walking her dog near Beccles.This is truly a tragic story of someone who obviously loved her dog and the countryside and who was probably a very responsible dog owner.

IT was with horror that I head the news that a woman had been trampled to death by cattle when walking her dog near Beccles.

This is truly a tragic story of someone who obviously loved her dog and the countryside and who was probably a very responsible dog owner. A very tragic case that we may never get to the bottom of.

But there is a lesson for us all to learn from this.

We may have the best natured dog or dogs who would not intentionally hurt anything but most dogs have a playful nature and on seeing other animals, especially the young calves, they may have given chase just for the game, but we also know how any mother would protect her young against all odds if she thinks it is under threat.

So when walking dogs out in the country even if the livestock are fields away they must be kept on a lead. We all know how clever dogs are at gaining access to anywhere; even well fenced fields won't stop them.

The woman, I suspect, not only went into the field to protect her own dog but also to protect the young calves with such tragic circumstances.

I know I speak for everyone in saying my thoughts and sympathy go out to her family.

GLORIA MUIR

Hall Road

Kessingland