Tony will think twice about entering a field of cows again

Incident number: 943

Response ID: 306,653,816

Date: 30.08.24

Location: Near Whitton, Shropshire. (What 3 words besotted.dividing.curving)

I was walking with my dog who was off the lead but walking at my side close enough that you would not have noticed it was not on a lead. We were following the public footpath along the field edge and had seen the cows (about 15 or 20) on entering the field, but as they were 150 or so meters into the field and 30 or so meters in from the footpath and laying down I did not consider them a risk. As we drew level with them several of them stood up and started to gesture that they were not happy about our presence. We moved on quickly and the ones that had stood began to move towards us at a pace that was gaining on us. We picked up speed and so did they until we were running, and thankfully they gave up their pursuit. The dog didn’t seem bothered just surprised to see me move at such a pace; I however was quite shaken and will think more than twice before ever entering a field of cows again.

Tony says “I would like to see all cattle fenced off from public footpaths and bridleways etc. It is insufficient for farmers to consider liability insurance sufficient and there need to be more prosecutions when incidents occur. Many of these public rights of way existed long before the field configurations they now cross and almost certainly the cattle have come after the right of way. It is unacceptable that the public have to face these risks while enjoying these rights of way and must be protected!”