Tributes to vet killed by cattle

Ms Crowsley's death has been described as a 'tragic accident'

Tributes have been paid to a Cheshire vet who was trampled to death by a herd of cows as she walked her dogs.

Liz Crowsley, 49, from Warrington, was on the Pennine Way, outside the village of Gayle, near Hawes, in the Yorkshire Dales, when she died on Sunday.

Police believe the cattle became aggressive after seeing Ms Crowsley's two dogs, a spaniel and collie-cross.

Simon Jones, a fellow partner at the Willows Veterinary Group, called Ms Crowsley "a much respected friend".

Mr Jones, who worked with Ms Crowsley at the veterinary practice near Northwich, added: "It's with deep sadness and regret that we announce the death of our much respected friend and colleague.

"Liz was a highly respected colleague and will be hugely missed by her colleagues, friends and clientele."

'Deeply sad'

Ms Crowsley qualified as a vet at the University of Liverpool in 1984 and became a partner at the Willows in 1991.

She leaves her mother and a brother.

North Yorkshire Police said they were called to a "commotion" in the field at 1220 BST on Sunday.

A holidaymaker said he found Ms Crowsley's body after realising something was wrong and moved the cows away from the area.

Nicky Paull, president of the British Veterinary Association called her death "a deeply sad and tragic accident".

The Health and Safety Executive has launched an investigation into the incident.

Ms Crowsley's two dogs were believed to have been uninjured and are being looked after in kennels.

Walkers have been warned about similar attacks by cattle.

A spokesman from the National Farmers' Union said: "Just occasionally, they will decide they feel threatened, particularly if you have got a dog and they have got a calf and they become over-protective."

In a separate incident, a 46-year-old man suffered spinal injuries and had to be flown to hospital after being tramped by a cow on farmland near Bath.