Coronavirus: Dogs and their owners need to get out, says 70-year-old walker

Rod Oliver, who lives in Lisburn with his wife Eleanor, also runs a pet care business which he believes may have to be closed if the ‘lockdown’ goes on for a prolonged period.

Rod said: “Speaking absolutely personally and not businesswise I’ve got a very active dog – a German pointer called Twist. If he doesn’t get out at least once a day and expend some energy he would become completely uncontrollable in the house.

“As far as the business is concerned (Field ‘n Family Pet Care Services), last September I closed a lot of it down. We do dog walking, cat feeding, boardings for small dogs for people in the area.

“I’m expecting with the government putting a clampdown on non-essential travel a lot of folk will just not be going away for the weekend and leaving their dogs with us.

“My wife and I are both 70 and we’re not looking for new business. I’m not taking on any new customers.”

Of the couple’s plans based on government advice he said: “We anticipate by this weekend to be virtually self-isolating apart from taking our own dog out and possibly periodically popping out for essential food.

“To be honest if this goes on for several months we’ll have to consider whether it’s worthwhile continuing with any business.”

He added: “Pets are a big part of people’s lives.

“Surely it is far healthier for me to stick the dog in the back of the car, drive out to the country and get some fresh air and exercise.

“I’m far more likely to stay healthy if I do that rather than cocoon myself in the house 24 hours a day and probably eat and drink far too much.”

Rod and Eleanor’s daughters live in London and in Moray in Scotland, where his eldest daughter is marketing remote holiday properties as an ideal place for people to self-isolate.