A North Yorkshire woman has been hospitalised and her dog killed after being trampled by cows while walking along the river Swale.

A relative posted on social media that she was walking along the bridleway with Lenny, her cocker spaniel.

She is currently in Darlington Memorial Hospital with a range of injuries: broken ribs on both sides, lost teeth, a five-inch gash on her head and broken bones in her foot and hand.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

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Lenny, who was on his lead during the incident, sadly didn't make it after suffering "severe injuries".

Her sister's partner, Dennis Ineson, posted on Facebook: "I would just like to sincerely thank the many kind people who helped my partner's sister today near Reeth.

"She was walking on the bridleway by the Swale when trampled by multiple cows.

"She is currently in Darlington Memorial Hospital with broken ribs on both sides, broken bones in foot and hand and lost teeth and an inch gash on her head but will survive.

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"Sadly Lenny the cocker spaniel on his lead when the attack happened and released as the cows attacked has not made it and passed away this afternoon as a result of his injuries."

A spokesperson for the Yorkshire Amulance Service Trust said: "We received an emergency call at 10.10am on Friday morning to report a female who had been injured by cattle in Reeth. 

"An ambulance and air ambulance were dispatched to the scene and the patient was conveyed by road to Darlington Memorial Hospital."