WALKING with my children at St Wulstan's Nature Reserve I was shocked to encounter two out-of-control dogs worrying the cattle that graze there managing the habitat.

I spoke to the owner (one of a group of four) who robustly defended their anti-social action, telling me the cows were a nuisance for dog walkers anyway.

I watched on as the dogs bit at the cattle's heels and the four surrounded me vociferously, decrying my protestations.

Their arrogance and selfish blinkered attitudes were bitterly disappointing, but perhaps not uncommon in today's secular and urbanised society.

After a while the four otherwise respectable retired women moved on as the dogs had tired of their pursuit, returning their conversation perhaps to Sunday lunch.

One of my children wisely concluded, "It's the owner not the dog, daddy.".

Neil Chatten

Malvern Wells