Incident number: 939
Date of incident: 29/8/2024
Location: What3words Patrol.kicks.classmate . Whitehall near Hemyock
Group of bullocks
No dog, single walker
Account: “I started into the field, no cows present. They came from the left at the far end of the field and were just 3 or 4. Soon there were at least 15, I didn’t count. They started to watch me so I skirted away a bit, though they were close to my exit. In a few moments they gathered around me. I kept walking and speaking in as calm a voice as possible. I could hear them trotting behind me and I was quickly surrounded. I just kept going, from the left and slightly behind they all began to run together, like a stampede, but thankfully I attained the gate. A lady renting the house beside the field, owned by the farmer, asked what had happened as she had seen me in the field.
It was terrifying. I had no idea whether they would run towards me, I had no stick to fend them off. Completely upsetting, I felt fortunate to be unhurt.”
Comment: “I still feel very distressed, lucky to be uninjured. I had no help and could easily have been hurt.
Why are farmers allowed to keep bullocks/ bulls in public rights of way? At least without warning. It shows lack of any care for those whose right it is to be there.”
Cattle Safety 