Killer Cows receives many varied reports of aggressive and scary behaviour by cattle, and several of our recently reported incidents are posted below. There does not seem to be one type of breed that is safer and we cannot assume that because cattle did not react the last time we walked through their field, they will be equally calm the next. Farmers can fail to spot when cattle are a risk – so how can we notice?
Our reports are split with 50% having a dog present, 50% not. These incidents have happened in quiet rural spots and in areas where there is a lot of public footfall. Each incident results in badly scared walkers; they are no longer able to enjoy the wonderful freedom of walking along a footpath without worrying whether there are cattle in the next field.
The guidance issued by NFU or The Ramblers can work in some occasions, but not in others. Signage doesn’t seem to be updated to reflect whether cattle are present at the time you are walking – so no help at all. Signs warning of cattle in fields don’t absolve the farmer of their duty of care to walkers, but they may deter some walkers – and some farmers may be happy with this result. There are farmers who are actively looking at ways to keep walkers safe and are proactively working with the legislative bodies – we applaud them. Our footpaths give us access to our countryside, we need to feel safe to enjoy them.
Read the varied accounts below –
Response ID 290,878,360 Report number 785
Date of incident: 31/05/2015
I was walking across the footpath that links Middlewold Farm campsite to Robin Hoods bay beach. A group of cattle were in the field on the opposite side to me. I was walking slowly until the cows took an interest in me, I walked quickly to a fence and dived over it. The cows appeared to want to join me, so I climbed a tree.
I suffered minor injuries caused by climbing the tree and leaping the fence and reported the incident to the campsite manager.
We should be able to use public footpaths without being put into danger. Clear signs explaining the dangers may help also.
Response ID 292,132,352. Report number: 796
Date of incident: 8/8/23
Where: SH 36596 92626 EAST 236596 NORTH 392626 nr Ffordd y Felin, Anglesey
2 people, no dog
We walked along the footpath into the field as the cattle we could see were relaxed and eating, they decided to follow and then surround us. We couldn’t find the exit so returned along the footpath, one cow following us a couple of meters behind, the rest to our left with the fence to our right, they were increasing in speed beside us as we tried to stay calm and not run. Then we saw the gate ahead and we ran until we got through the gate.
I’m not sure how this could of been prevented but it would be nice to hear some insight from people who work with these animals as up until this point I had never been bothered about cows.
Response ID: 292,462,247. Report number: 800
Date of incident: 15/10/23
Where: Footpath between Coronation Rd and Limestone Hall Lane, Church Lawford, nr Rugby.
Me and my two daughters (aged 11), used a footpath between two roads near my home. We entered a field that from first inspection had no livestock in it. We were roughly halfway across, when one of my girls commented that there was a barn with cows in it, and it seemed the gate was open. Just as I agreed that it seemed the gate was open, 25+ young cows came thundering out of the barn and cut us off from the style. They then surrounded us. They came right up to us, and it was completely terrifying. If I’d of been in my own it would’ve been bad enough, but to have my two girls with me was something else entirely. I literally instructed my girls to keep quiet and keep walking confidently towards the stile. It was such a relief to make it over the stile. My girls have been left scared to enter a field now, given time maybe I can reassure them that walking in the countryside is safe, but I’m not comfortable myself after that experience!!!!
At least there should be a sign informing people that cattle are present in that field. We wouldn’t have entered if we had known.
Response ID 291,817,465. Report number 791
Date of incident: 5/10/23
Where: Newick, earth camp fields. On the footpath. Lone walker, dog on lead, group of cows
I was on a footpath with up to ten cows on the opposite side of the field where I needed to exit the field. I walked slowly toward them dog in a lead. My dog was crouched into a submissive position as he finds large animals scary anyway. One cow began walking towards us, others start to follow. We changed course to go around them and the lead cow bucked and ran towards us, others followed.
My dog was cowering so I picked him up ( he’s a big Labrador) and started to run round the cows towards the exit. I put the dog on the ground (still on lead) he ran. All cows were now running after me and very close. I tripped and fell falling off the other side of the stile after pushing my dog through. The cows remained there in a group until after we walked off.
Cows need to be familiarised with walkers/dogs before being put out to pasture with footpaths. There should be signs to be able to contact the farmer after incidents.
292,533,766 Report Number 803
Date of incident: 16/10/23
Myself and my best friend were walking back up a Welsh mountainside to get to his farm. The only way we are able to get there is on foot, (we don’t drive, can’t afford,) so we have to walk through a field then jump over a gate/fence. Sometimes cows are there, sometimes they’re not. The cows have never been a problem until that night.
It was dark and wet, my friend had a bag on his back (just a few drinks in) and I had a full shopping bag in my hand, we used our phone torches and held them low and dimmed them. (Other nights we have walked past using these lights and the cattle remained calm and walked past us.) This night they walked right up to us and surrounded us, I froze in my tracks my legs were shaking!
Slowly breathing and trying to stay still until I felt safe enough to move a tiny bit further, step by step, I had to get to the fence where we could exit the field. One cow/bull started to charge at me but my friend stood in front of me and tried to calm the cows by speaking and putting his hands out. It was a very frightening experience, the thoughts racing through my head as I didn’t know if I was going to live or not. One cow was right next to me and she was huge, I couldn’t tell if she was curious because she was sniffing me but if I made one move they would all start running, panicking and charging or the worse. Especially the girl next to me, I kept thinking please don’t hit or kick me, she kept moving closer and the one behind would move in from other directions. It was twice that cow/bull charged at us, and the second time I thought that was it. We had to time it and everything, that fence was the only place we were able to climb over – all the rest was spiky wire fence.
That stare, I remember the look in that bulls eyes. I’m thankful for still being here tonight!
292,613,522 Report Number: 804
When: 16/10/23
Where: Haytor Vale, Dartmoor, group of belted Galloway
I had just set off across moorland walking a circular route. There were cows either side of the path but not on the path and I couldn’t see any calves with them. I had both dogs on leads and started my descent down the hill along the footpath. The next thing I knew the cows had ran infront and behind me and they were on all sides, basically I was circled and that’s when I was really scared.
I was charged from all angles but the cows stopped inches from me and my dogs, the cows then backed up and ran at us again, I waved my hands and screamed but didn’t move. A guy in the carpark at the bottom of the hill saw what was unfolding and ran up to help me as I had nowhere to escape or hide – it was open barren moorland. When the cow in front moved aside I edged forward slowly and continued waving my arms and screaming whilst slowly escaping. I know how lucky I was not to be hurt and it’s just reinforced my fear of cows, these cows looked so angry, I’ve always been hesitant and scared of cows since I was a child but wanted to overcome my fears, now I’m more scared than ever of them.
I think it would be helpful to have signage in carparks warning of the dangers, and advice on what to do if you are charged, I didn’t know what to do – I just knew not to run as only prey runs away. I didn’t let my dogs go because I didn’t want them bolting and getting lost, injured or being a nuisance to other wildlife or animals, I didn’t realise that’s some say to let them off their leads if threatened. My dogs didn’t bark/ lunge or do anything to startle the cows but I can understand dogs can be a nuisance and make animals wary or dislike all dogs.
Response ID 292,502,367 Report number 802
Date: 15/10/23
Where: A field next to Castle Howard Gardens in North Yorkshire
2 walkers, dog on lead
We set off on a walk from the village of Welburn, on a circular route I found on the all trails map. We had just crossed a bridge which brings us to the edge of the Castle Howard grounds and entered a field containing large black cattle and a bull. We put our dog back on her lead before entering the field.
The cattle very quickly became aggressive, charging and stamping their feet, unfortunately they were now between us and the gate. Our dog panicked and broke free of her collar, which was great – until she started running in the direction that we had just come; she was trying to escape back through the gate we had come in, but there were too many cattle to get past. Thankfully when I called her she did start running back towards us, not before getting stuck in some mud, fortunately she did manage to free herself and get back to us.
We then managed to make it to the perimeter fence and were faced with the challenge of scaling the 8 foot high fence and getting the dog through. We managed to get the dog through the bars of the fence and did manage to scale it ourselves, although it was not easy. We were then faced with a long walk back to our car.
We had passed a sign warning of cattle and a broken sign warning of a bull, as it was broken I thought this might be an old one and no bull in the field as a result.
Report number: 748
Date of Incident: 09 08 23
Location: Catstones Moor. Keighley. ENGLAND. GR 06973805. On public footpath.
Every year about this time the farmer releases his herd from the pasture onto Catstone’s Moor. The public footpath runs across the Moor to a village called Cullingworth. There must be at least 50 cows with calfs, they chase and charge at you. You have to run away to stay out of danger. These cows wonder freely often obscured by trees, it is very dangerous. There is no water for them to drink and this happens every year.
We have not been injured, our dog has managed to escape harm, we are just very frightened. We have reported this to the HSE, there is no investigation ongoing.
Case No. 752
Date of Incident: 09/08/23
Location Near Oakerthorpe, Derbyshire. ENGLAND. On public footpath.
5 walkers
The foot path we were on crossed a field to a narrow wooden footbridge across a small body of water. There was a group of heifers in the field, the route we were following didn’t allow for a detour, so we took the decision to cross the field via the public footpath.
The cows started to approach; the person with the dog managed to get across to the bridge but the remaining 4 of us had to skirt along the water line and hide between trees before we could safely reach the bridge as well. We weren’t injured, just frightened.
Cattle Safety 