SIR – This letter is a request for tolerance among the many users of the canal by Perdiswell, Worcester, in particular the rather rude cyclists who I encountered the other day who called my dog “stupid” for inadvertently walking in front of them.

The towpath is for walkers, cyclists, fishermen and anyone else who cares to share this wonderful resource.

No one group has any right to be there more than another so getting impatient just because a dog walker means you have to slow down is totally inappropriate.

I have contacted British Waterways and a spokesman said: “Dogs must be under control on British Waterways towpaths but we do not specify whether this should be on or off the lead.”

As for insulting my dog, she is 14 and a little deaf at times, so her feelings wouldn’t have been too badly hurt as she probably didn’t hear.

KATHRYN THURGOOD
Worcester