Walkers need to respect countryside

OF course it is sad to learn of the deaths of walkers in incidents with cattle on footpaths across fields, and devastating for their families.

However, the responsibility for the safety of walkers is firmly in the hands of those walkers.

It is wise to educate oneself about the possible reactions of animals and to try to read the body language of animals on entering their territory.

Any animal will act to protect its young and one must be very watchful and wary in the company of cows with calves. Any herd will act as a mass and weight and speed can be a dangerous combination, and so it is far better to know the signs and avoid confrontation.

As a cross-country walker of 50 years experience, I have encountered people who are clearly completely ignorant of how they should behave in the fields, which are a farmer’s workplace. This has particularly applied to dog walkers. Mostly their animals are neither on a lead nor under close control, but are straying across fields in danger of fouling the very grass which the farmer is growing for cattle or the crops which will eventually be food for humans. It seems that as soon as these folk step off a pavement, they think that there is no need to pick up their dogs’ droppings and if they do, some leave the bag of contents to fester at that location rather than taking it home for disposal.

The other problem with out of control dogs is the disturbance to farm animals and wildlife. This situation was exacerbated by the increase in numbers of dog walkers in local fields during the lockdown period earlier this year. Respect and common sense applies when walking in the countryside, as in most other aspects of life.

Jenny Colvin

Yeovil