A DOG walker who was seriously injured when he was trampled by cows on Monday (August 26) was rescued by a passer-by.

In a comment on facebook his daughter says that her father, thought to be in his 60s, is an experienced herdsman and was walking a long way from the herd through a public right of way in a field in Priory Hill, St Neots.

His daughter says that the dog was on the lead and that her father was approached by a calf, which he tried to shoe away but she says that three of four cows “were already on top of him”.

She then describes how her father’s life was saved by a man who happened to see the incident.

“My father is a retired herdsman, he’s been walking in fields of cows for more years than many of you have been alive. This is a freak accident.

“He didn’t stand a chance in using any techniques to settle the cows or get them off him as he was soon on the ground surrounded by 10 plus cows and if it wasn’t for this guy being at the right place at the right time, the consequences do not bare thinking about.”

Following the incident the victim was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in a serious condition.

The police said that the farmer had been informed and that no offence had taken place.

A similar incident occurred in 2010 on St Neots Common, when a 58-year-old dog walker suffered a punctured lung after being trampled by cows.

In June countryside groups sent out warnings after a 66-year-old man, also walking his dog, was trampled to death by cattle in Turleigh, Wiltshire, in May.

Advice from the Health and Safety Executive warns walkers that cows, while usually passive, can become aggressive when protecting their young, suffering from illness or even due to adverse weather.

This aggression increases when dogs are around.

The cows have since been removed from the field.