BLIMEY! I never realised this dog walking was so dangerous.

But it seems that the year or so I have been exercising my Jack Russell in the countryside around Alresford was fraught with potential danger.

Apparently four dogwalkers have been trampled to death by herds of spooked cows in recent months.

The National Farmers’ Union and Ramblers have issued common sense guidance to minimise the risks.

Fortunately the cows on local farms with footpaths through the fields tend to be young-ish calves, more inquisitive than anything.

But on a couple of occasions it has been slightly disconcerting to see the bovines fixing me with a stare and beginning to slowly advance. Pints of lager aside, it’s been like being back at college when to walk into the ‘wrong pub’ was an invitation to trouble.

I’m lucky that my dog is so small that I can pick her up, tuck her under my arm, like the fashion accessory that she is, and striding with purpose, quicken my step. It seems to do the trick. So far.