National Farmers' Union tells dog owners to leave their pets if they are attacked by cows after Richmond teacher's death

David Clark, who was in his 50s, was killed on Monday night as he walked his dogs in a field near Richmond.Another dog walker, an 82-year-old man from Lancashire, was killed in a cow trampling at Iveson in the Yorkshire Dales in May.

Now the NFU, which represents the farming community, has issued advice to dog walkers who use footpaths that pass through fields where livestock are kept.

Deputy chairman Stuart Roberts has assured them that most dogs can outrun cattle, unlike people.

While the instinct for owners to protect their pets is acknowledged, the NFU advises letting the dog off its lead, as cattle are likely to chase it and give the person time to reach safety.

People should not run from cows, but rather walk away slowly, as they are then likely to lose interest.

Cow trampling deaths are not uncommon in the UK - there have been almost 100 in the past 20 years, although they mostly involved farm workers rather than members of the public.

Walkers are usually using public rights of way when they are attacked, and are often accompanied by dogs. Cows tend to behave aggressively when they have calves with them.

Mr Roberts cautioned people against getting between mothers and their young, and to avoid running as cows are then more likely to give chase.

The NFU has lobbied the government for farmers to be allowed to temporarily close and divert public footpaths that pass through their land during calving season.

They have admitted that many walkers' representative bodies are opposed to the idea of rights of way being eroded, but argue that it is necessary for public safety in areas where most fields are accessible.

Certain breeds of cattle are banned from being kept in fields which footpaths pass through.

There were two more cow attacks in North Yorkshire this summer that did not result in fatalities.

On July 19, a couple were injured by cows while walking through a field near Huggate in the Yorkshire Wolds. One had to be airlifted to hospital.

In the same month a couple in their 50s were also attacked in Upper Wharfedale while walking their dogs, but escaped serious injury.

The official NFU advice reads:-

- Try to avoid getting between cows and their calves.

- Be prepared for cattle to react to your presence, especially if you have a dog with you.

- Move quickly and quietly, and if possible walk around the herd.

- Keep your dog close and under effective control on a lead around cows and sheep

- Don’t hang onto your dog. If you are threatened by cattle - let it go as to allow the dog to run to safety.

- Don’t put yourself at risk. Find another way round the cattle and rejoin the footpath as soon as possible.

- Don’t panic or run. Most cattle will stop before they reach you. If they follow just walk on quietly.