WHY do some dog owners have to be so selfish and thoughtless?

It was a beautiful Monday morning so I decided to take the scenic route to work along the riverside footpath. But my pleasure was short-lived.

A woman approached me with a large, very lively, bouncing dog, not on its lead.

It was completely out of her control and ignored all her instructions. I stood still and braced myself for the inevitable impact. It bounded up and leapt at me, leaving muddy footprints on my clean shirt.

The woman gave a perfunctory apology and carried on along the path. I was very shocked and upset.

I am 69 and, luckily, quite fit and healthy. A lesser mortal could have been knocked to the ground by such an impact. I dread to think what could have happened had I been a small child.

Please keep your dog on its lead when there are other people about, particularly if you have little control over it. Footpaths are for the use of all pedestrians, not just dog owners.

Susan Hill, Malmesbury