On the 23rd July, 2023, I was walking on a public footpath near the village of Hawkley in Hampshire (the Liss Footpath between Snailing Lane and B3006, Hawkley CP Footpath reference 109/19/1). I was on my own with my dog on a lead.
There were a group of cows with calves in the field. They were a “Stabiliser” Breed see the farm’s website for full details: www.hatchmoorfarm.com/stabiliserbreed.htm
At first, the cows followed me across the field keeping a safe distance. I am an experieced walker and this is usual behaviour I have experienced many times. When I had walked 50 metres from the entrance stile, a large female cow started to attack without warning.
I was struck three times. On the third attack the cow trampled me into the ground and my right leg was badly injured.
I shouted loudly for help, but at the time of the incident the farm appeared to be deserted. For 20 minutes I lay on the ground while the cows ran around the field, enticed by the two larger adult cows which were bellowing loudly.
My call to the emergency services, after I was struck down, was useless. I requested police and ambulance, but the call operator failed to realise the attack was ongoing, took far too long asking unnecesary questions, and insisted on getting an ambulance to come and rescue me from the middle of the field – but did not realise that the cows would have immediately attacked the ambulance crew! I managed to limp to the gate from the field into Snailing lane where I managed to get help from one of the residents.
The incident was reported to Hampshire Footpath officer on the day it happened, but after a week no action had been taken to make the footpath safe for other walkers. I revisited the site exactly a week after my attack to take photographs, and it was exactly the same as at the time of my attack!
My dog had a minor limp for a week , possibly caused by whiplash from lead/collar when it was kicked by the attacking cow.
I saw no warning signs when I entered the field, and am reporting this now because other walkers need to be warned of the danger.
Report Reference: 287630743
Photos: Nick’s own
Cattle Safety 