Thanks everyone.

I thought the botb suggest a 15 minute walk is ideal for them at this stage. I did keep her on a lead. Not that it helped much under the circumstances as the attack still happened.

Maisie was happy to come out on a lead. I didn't coerce her at all. I know she won't want to leave her pups for long and we could easily turn around and be indoors again within minutes. The recreation ground is immediately adjacent to my house.

Maybe I read it somewhere else and not in the botb.

I'm glad I asked the question.

I will just confine her to the garden in future until things settle down a bit.

Phew!