The National Trust look after the land around Pennard, Southgate and Three Cliffs Bay, on the Gower Peninsula, South Wales. There is common land across this region and cattle have rights to roam freely over this small tourist hotspot. There is a golf course at Pennard adjoining the common land and the cattle roam across this also.
This is spectacular landscape, Swansea tourist board name this as one of the most photographed areas in Gower. The tourist board suggest several walks that can be taken around here and the Welsh Coastal Path traverses the area. This region sees a high number of visitors.
But neither the National Trust nor the Swansea Tourist Board warn of the dangers posed by the cattle.
We have identified 9 reports of stampedes or threatening and aggressive behaviour by the cattle in this region; our first report is from 2021, but the other 8 are from 2023, all were placed by members of the public onto Killer Cows reporting site. These reports provide evidence that these cattle are behaving in a way that is dangerous to the public. Most of these incidents are not being followed up by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and without our site would not have been connected and the danger may have been missed. We need a central database that people can report all incidents too, so dangerous cattle can be identified before someone is killed or badly injured!
Killer cows believe that all of these attacks and incidents could have been extremely serious. Not one school child, walker or tourist or golfer did anything wrong – surely they should expect to be safe on such a famous, well-frequented, coastal footpath area?
The amount of cattle on this common land appears to have increased so perhaps this is why the cattle are behaving so dangerously? Should there be restrictions on the size of the herd grazing? Can the aggressive members of the herd be removed?
253,846,272 report number 339
First incident – Bitten by a cow
Date of the attack: 14/8/21
I was walking with my family at 3 cliffs bay, Gower, Swansea. There were a lot of cows grazing on the public footpath which has a wall one side and a river the other. 3 cows moved towards me as I was walking past. One each side of me and one in front. I had no where to go but to try and walk past. My family had already moved in front of me before the cows had moved. One of the cows which had large horns went for me. I tried to get past it but it bit me on the top of my thigh. Luckily it did not break the skin but I have a very painful large bruise. I hate to think what would have happened if it had bitten one of my children. I am writing to notify you for your records as cow attacks on the Gower keep increasing and I believe farmers should be able to be held liable for the actions of their livestock.
“Commoners rights in Wales need changing to stop cattle roaming near the public.”
286,371,139 incident number 676
2nd incident – Charged at by a group of cattle
Date of the incident: 1/6/2023
On a footpath across common land near Pennard Golf club
2 people, no dog
A group of cows and a bull came charging down a narrow path, we had to dive into bushes to avoid them, otherwise we’d have been seriously injured because there was no way they were going to stop. “Luckily we weren’t injured but we were badly scared.”
287,129,857 report number 713
3rd incident – over 80 school children at risk from a stampeding herd!
Date of the incident: June 2023
Pennard Castle on Pennard Burrows, near Swansea. Land owned by Pennard Golf Club, which has Commoners Rights. One such Commoner,a farmer, exercises his right to graze cattle. The burrows is criss-crossed by bridleways and other rights of way.
In view of the fact that footfall and outdoor learning around the Castle and Pennard is increasing, I feel a duty to report an incident in June.
At approximately 11.30 I had a group of yr 5 pupils on residential undertaking a field trip on ‘fairies and ancient medicine’. We walked to the castle and as we were discussing it’s history the cows stampeded over the brow of the hill.
The situation was very dangerous and having grouped and moved the children to one side, a dog then disturbed and scattered the cows. I was able to hurry the children into the corner of the castle and shout the cows off. It was a very high risk situation and luck was a part of it. There were calves and two highly strung bulls.
There were three other field trips out, literally in the path of the cows as they ran down into the valley to the river. There were approx 20 cattle, cows and calves, in the herd. And 29 children in my school group and approx 20 in the other school groups.
I myself have been actively chased by cows over the years but the responsibility I had to these children was absolute and I think something has to be done urgently to safeguard everyone from life threatening situations. The responsibility surely begins with the farmer demonstrating he has managed risk.
“Luckily no one was injured – but we were all badly frightened.”
Reported incident to Pennard Golf Club, HSE are investigating.
287,426,262 incident number 728
4th incident – Charged at by cattle
Date of incident: 24/7/23
Pennard burrows
2 people, no dog
A group of cattle came bellowing and charging towards us – had to move out of way quickly, we were badly shaken.
287,292,041 incident 719
5th incident – chased by a cow
Date of the incident: 24/7/2023
I person, no dog
I was walking across Pennard golf course and a cow started to chase me. This is happening too often, at times the herd is seeing running downhill across the uneven terrain. “If there were small children walking I dread to think of the potential outcome.”
Response ID 287,865,358 incident number 743
6th incident – cattle stampeded towards us
Date of incident: 28/7/23
Pennard golf club. About 40 cattle, a mixed herd in a stampede, bullocks, heifers, cows and calves.
We were playing golf, as we approached the green and without warning a herd of mixed cattle stampeded over the hill approximately 30 yards from us. All we could do was stand our ground and try to look large. It was terrifying, one cow missed by inches. Thank goodness there were no children present.
“Cattle should be always kept in closures. Common land should be fenced.”
I reported to HSE, no one investigating.
292,236,054 incident 798
7th incident – lunged at by a cow
Date of the incident: 31/7/23
2 people, 2 dogs on leads
Southgate (near Pennard)
I had to pass a group of cows on a public footpath. Both of my dogs were on leads and walking calmly at my side. A cow lunged towards me and only stopped when I screamed. My partner shouted at the cow and it turned away. We then confined our walk. That evening, I sent an email of complaint to the HSE. Their customer service dept replied to say they wouldn’t be investigating as the onus was on the farmer to make a risk assessment.
Response ID 287,292,478 incident number 720
8th incident – charged at by a cow
Date of incident 25/8/2023
The incident took place outside Pennard Golf Club club house on the Golf Course. Southgate, Swansea
I was walking to the golf range to begin teaching a golf lesson. Whilst on route, a cow charged at me unfortunately causing me to quickly turn away . It was then when I slipped on the wet grass and twisted my knee subsequently falling down a bank . I was very fortunate this cow didn’t maul me on the ground. This incident will happen to more golfers if nothing is done about this.
Treated in A&E and sent home, incident reported to the farmer, apparently HSE are investigating .
“I would like the farmer to have more controlled measures to look after his cattle to ensure incidents like this do not happen again .”
289,390,985 incident 768
9th incident – charged at by a cow
Date of incident: 29/08/23
Pennard Golf Course
Two of us were playing golf on Pennard Golf course, near Swansea. I walked up a bank to see if the green was clear to proceed with my next shot safely, and the cow charged at me with no warning. It was about 5 metres from me and I tried to get away from the animal , As it was on a steep slope I fell and hurt myself. I was on the ground, but fortunately the cow ran off.
Luckily I was not seriously injured, I had a bruised lower back and had banged my head. I reported my injuries to the golf club.
“No one is investigating what could have been a much more serious attack.”
Cattle Safety 