I WANT to draw your attention to a serious problem which I have encountered while walking my dog on the pavement. The problem is caused by runners, of which there are many these

days.

I walk a large white fluffy dog. She may appear to be a very placid dog who would not harm a fly, but she is actually a German Shepherd. She naturally protects me because that is what German Shepherds do – that is their nature of course.

Recently, I was casually walking my dog along and then in a split second, completely out of the blue, a runner came up from behind us – no warning at all.

It was just a matter of luck that my dog did not attack this man. It was such a close call that it took me a full hour to gather myself together again after this incident. He has no idea just how lucky he was that day. He came within a few inches of my dogs head when he ran past.

This happens on a fairly regular basis to me on the pavement. Why oh why do these runners think they are invincible? Do they not think at all?

I am very happy to pull my dog a safe distance away from runners but how can I when I do not even know they are there until they pass me at lightening speed - from behind.

It is even more dangerous for them when it is raining and I have my hood up on my coat because then it is totally impossible to hear them. Do I have to get my hair wet to keep the runners safe? It is a ludicrous situation.

It is my dog who will be blamed at the end of the day if she goes for any of these runners and that is not fair and it is not right.

I am very responsible with my dog, and the runners should be more responsible with themselves rather than leaving it all to me.

Christina Haslam, via email