Kay’s tale of charging cows

sprinted to save her life after charge by cattle

Incident number: 873

Date of incident: 18.05.24

Site: In fields between Rugeley Trent train station and Colton


We were walking along a public right of way and entered a field close to a farm. The field was empty. We only got half way across the field when a herd of very aggressive cows appeared from the farm yard and charged us, we ran. This happened in a further 2 fields and on one occasion, both myself and my husband had to throw ourselves over a gate. My husband hurt his neck.

We were fortunate in that, although we are in our late 60’s, we are fairly fit, but if there had been a child with us, then it could have been a very different story. We were with a younger couple, who had a dog on a very short lead and we always kept to the field edge where we could.

We have been walkers for years and we have noticed that:-

1. The cows are getting more and more aggressive

2. Farmers are less tolerant towards walkers.

Although it cannot be proven, we suspect that when we entered the first farm, the Farmer saw us and let the cows in on purpose. The field was definitely empty when we entered it.

We are encouraged to exercise more and there is nothing that we would enjoy better than to take our Grandchildren out into the countryside. But there is always the fear that we will come across a field with cows in. Farmers clearly do not want people walking across their fields (on a public right of way) and are succeeding 100% in deterring us.

I know that Farmers are usually insured but I don’t care about compensation. I would like to not be injured or killed somewhere where I have every right to be. If we ever go on a country walk again (looking unlikely), then we will not be going in a field with cows in it but will find an alternative route which might not be on a public right of way. And if we are trespassing, then so be it.

I have reported this to the HSE.

Kay comments:
“I would welcome a law to be passed which says that Farmers should not put cows in a field where there is a public right of way, or they must put a fence up separating us from the animals.”

5 thoughts on “Kay’s tale of charging cows”

  1. I agree. I’ve been a Walker for more than 50 years. It seems that cows have become much more aggressive in the last 10 – 15 years. It is just not acceptable that we have to be terrified of walking a right of way. There is a footpath near where I live. The farmer has put up a fence so that the cows / bullocks are separated from the footpath. They are curious and come up to look but they are not aggressive – I think this is because they feel quite safe behind this low fence. I think this should be a requirement and farmers should get funding to do it. I’d be happy to contribute so I could walk safely. I was charged by a cow. It was a terrifying experience and has made me very nervous.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I agree with you on every front. Cows do not charge through hedges or fences to get at walkers. Even the flimsy electric fences seem to work.

      I agree there could be funding and I too would be happy to contribute.

      Like

      Reply

  2. Hi Kay. Wanted to say thank you for reporting this incident to the website. Just to let you know that I couldn’t contact you from the incident report as you didn’t leave an email address. Didn’t want you to think we didn’t want to reply.

    Tina.

    Like

    Reply

  3. I agree that cows seem to be getting more aggressive. Could it also be that the number of cattle put together in a field is more intensive? And farmers seem to be hardly ever moving among cattle on foot, in the fields. And when they work in proximity of cattle they also put themselves at risk, and accidents frequently occur. Nevertheless, the public exercising the right to use public rights of way should NOT be put off by the threat that cattle cause. I’ve given up walking in Northumberland on my own, where there is a lot of Aberdeen Angus cattle, in fields, farmyards, along the coast, and in the Cheviot Hills. In most of these areas the fields are so huge, it’s not even possible to assess the danger before exposing yourself. Some ‘fields’ are around minor roads, all open plan, as it were, or bridleways/ tracks that go into the hills. Again, after having had many scares, I no longer use them on foot. It’s a lamentable state of affairs. What good are public rights of way if they cannot be used by pedestrians?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a reply to Mrs Kathryn P Walker Cancel reply