MIGHT I be allowed to make a plea to all dog owners? Please, please, be vigilant at all times as far as your pets are concerned and ensure that they don't wander into busy and dangerous roads.

On Sunday night, June 24, I was travelling in a coach along Wells Road, Malvern, when a collie-type dog darted in front of the vehicle. The driver braked suddenly, there was a thud - no doubt owing to the hilly incline of the road - but the animal was unharmed; I saw it out of the right hand side window running off as blithely as a hare. However, the driver thought he had hit the dog, and so did several local residents, whose accusatory attitude only served to aggravate the driver's state of shock. Fortunately, I was able to allay the driver's fear, help him to calm his nerves and reassure the onlookers that the dog was certainly very much alive and kicking.

The owner of the dog said she had been visiting at one of the houses, along with a number of dogs. As they were being put in the car, she said, one of them "spooked" and ran into the road. I suggested she use a lead in future, and keep a better eye on them all.

Had it not been for the coach driver's quick reaction, that lady would be minus one dog. It's a blessing that there was no traffic immediately behind us, or a very serious accident could have occurred. I hope the driver concerned is properly commended, as he deserves, for his action. He, and all his passengers, were terribly shaken by the incident.

So all you dog owners, if you value your pets, please take good care of them and might I suggest that it might be wiser not to go visiting with more animals than you can easily control.

Thank you in anticipation of this opportunity to bring this to your attention.

D RODRIGUEZ, Merryhill Crescent, Hereford.