WALKING in the countryside? Faced with a herd of cattle? Stay calm, approach with caution and pass wide and slow - and if you are chased, and you have a dog, let it go. Lesley Tate reports on being aware of the risks of walking amongst livestock and being responsible.

I'VE encountered a lot of curious cattle in my walks in and around Craven recently. They've raced up beside me and the dog as we've walked along paths next to their fields, always more interested in the dog than me. And, on more than one occasion, I've been on a footpath, half way across a field, when I've been spotted by a quietly grazing herd which has then stopped being quiet and shot over to see just what I and the dog are up to. It's then been a case of remaining calm and getting to the other side of the field as quickly as possible without breaking into a sweat and a trot - which seems to excite them even more. And, it's not just young cattle, but suckler cows with calves and the occasional bull. On one walk recently, I saw an English Longhorn bull, a Highland bull and a very large black one, complete with ring through its nose - which was lying right across the footpath I was walking along. I approached that one with great caution and was more than relived when a farmer appeared on his quad bike, got between me and the bull and helpfully waved us on. Had he not appeared, I was prepared to retrace my steps and take a different route, I really did not fancy my chances with the bull, even though he was lying down. On another walk, close to Whernside, the footpath went into a farmyard, and directly through an enclosure where a herd of sheep were tightly packed. The farmer, who was again standing close by, waved me through with a helpful: "They'll be fine, just take it slowly and don't make any sudden moves."

Of course, the countryside where we live is packed full with livestock, and at all times of the year in the case of sheep, and as responsible walkers, often with dogs, we need to be aware of the rules - and most important of all, we need to be aware of the risks.

The government's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issues advice for farmers, landowners and other livestock keepers for keeping cattle in fields where the public have right of access in England and Wales.

It suggests a number of 'reasonably practical' ways of controlling what it describes as the 'major hazards' to members of the public associated with keeping cattle in fields where the public have right of access.

There is a considerable network of public rights of way across the country and on top of that, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act of 2000 gave people the right to walk on mountain, moor, heath and registered common land.

The HSE regularly investigates incidents involving cattle and members of the public, with some resulting in death or serious injury. Almost all are in fields or in enclosed areas, and the most common involve cows with calves, and walkers with dogs.

Dairy bulls, such as Friesians, Guernseys and Jerseys, are not allowed in fields crossed by public rights of way. Beef bulls are also banned from fields with public rights of way, unless they are accompanied by cows or heifers.

Government advice to farmers is wherever possible to keep cattle in fields without public access - especially when they are calving, or have calves at foot.

Paths should be clearly marked so walkers do not enter fields without public access and fences, stiles and gates should be fit for purpose.

Farmers should also consider closely the temperament of any bull they plan to put in a field with public access, and if they know, or suspect it may be aggressive, put it somewhere else.

They should also consider putting up signs warning the public when a bull, or cows with calves, are in a field.

Craven councillor, Robert Heseltine, a member of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, says people should always approach cattle in fields with great caution.

"Even though I was born and brought up in a farming family, when I go out in the countryside, I always have a wary eye when I am in a field with cattle. My father always said you must never trust a bull and I will always keep a wary eye out in all circumstances," he said.

Cllr Heseltine said famers and owners of livestock in Craven were responsible and put warning signs at the entrances to fields where there were bull; they also made sure they were carefully watched, but stressed walkers needed to be careful too and if in doubt, back off and make for the nearest exit.

But of potentially more danger to the walker and rambler was the suckler cow with calf, which he said posed a greater risk to the walker.

And, if you have a dog with you and are crowded by a herd of cattle, let it go and get to safety.

"If you are approached by cows and they start to being aggressive, let the dog go, it will be the dog they are after, not the walker. You should then keep calm and get to safety," he said.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council, which is responsible for public rights of way in the county, outside of the national park, said if people experienced a problem while on a footpath or right of way, they should contact the council.

Attacks by cattle are relatively rare, but walkers should follow a few simple rules to reduce risks to safety.

1 Always walk around cows with calves. Walking between them can be seen as a threat.

2 If they approach, walk slowly and if you have a dog ensure it is at heel.

3 If you feel threatened, let go of your dog. It can run faster than cattle and escape.

4 If in doubt, do not enter the field.