Farmers advise people to keep their dogs close by

Peter Smith and his partner Caroline Duffield, from Tonbridge, Kent, were attacked by the animals as they took a stroll near their home.

The pair managed to escape from the cows with minor injuries after someone called to the herd from the other side of the field.

Mr Smith, said: "The cows just decided they wanted to kill the dog, so they charged at us and tried to get hold of the dog.

All I could think of was to try and get the dog out of the field so they would perhaps back off Caroline Duffield

"They threw us around and threw Caroline up in the air."

It is thought the dog the couple were walking for a friend disturbed the animals leading them to attack.

Cows often see dogs as a threat to their young and the intense heat may have caused them to be even more agitated.

Miss Duffield said: "I thought that was it. I didn't know what was going to happen.

"All I could think of was to try and get the dog out of the field so they would perhaps back off."

Advice from farmers to anyone walking past cows is to keep dogs close by and under control.