DOG owners planning walks in the Yorkshire Dales National Park during the August Bank Holiday week are being reminded to take extra care around cows and their calves.

The advice is always to keep your dog on a lead and to avoid going near cattle

Jon Avison - YDNPA

The advice follows several reports of walkers being surrounded by cattle in different parts of the National Park.

Jon Avison, Head of Park Management with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: "Everyone knows that cattle are very curious about dogs and will gather in a group and follow one, which can be an unnerving experience for the dog and its owner.

"Added to that is the fact that cows with young calves are - like almost any animal - naturally protective of their young so, when you put the two together, you have a potentially dangerous situation for walkers and their dogs.

"The advice is always to keep your dog on a lead and to avoid going near cattle if at all possible - and never walk between a cow and its calf.

"If they do start to follow you and get too close, let the dog go - it can run faster than you and the cattle will follow it."