“I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time”

Report No: 928

Date of Incident: 25/07/24

Location: Newdigate, Surrey, England

Account “I was crossing a field on my own (female 64, very fit) with 2 spaniel dogs on short leads on a footpath. I knew there were cows in the field, couldn’t see a bull, there were some calves but not particularly young, probably about 15-20 cows. I tried to keep as far away from the cows as possible but they started to follow me and gradually caught me up and began to surround me. I let go of the dogs which ran off but the cows did not follow them. One cow pushed me to the ground with its nose and then three or four others joined in head butting me. I curled up in a ball trying to protect myself and stayed still hoping they would lose interest which they did after a while and moved away to a different part of the field.

I then got up and found I could not walk. The cows then started to approach again so I started screaming ‘Help’ which had 2 effects. Firstly the cows kept away and secondly some one heard me and called the farmer. He came and picked me up in a truck (along with the dogs) and took me home. From there I phoned for an ambulance.

I had severe injuries, my pelvis was broken in 6 places, bone broken in forehead, my arm was severely damaged although not broken. I had extensive bruising. I was admitted to hospital via ambulance. My dogs were unharmed”

Respondent states:- “Farmers need to be more careful about their cows. Perhaps they should use temporary electric fencing for footpaths. I do not think permanent signage is helpful – bull in field – which I ‘ve seen before doesn’t help when its permanent and should only be used when its true. Temporary signage would help with the type of animal being kept. Some fields are so large you can’t see what animals are in there. The field I was in had no signage but the cows were apparent.”

Respondent states – “I reported this to the farmer, I don’t think it needs investigating – but I do think it should be noted somewhere. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, without actually doing anything wrong.”