Incident number: 1011
Response ID: 307,774,747
Date of incident: 03.06.24
Location: Mow Cop, Cheshire on a walk from a walk book
Status: Couple with no dog on PRW
Joyce and David’s story: They are a couple from Canada who like to come to England to walk once or twice a year. They had an incident with cattle 10 years ago and since then have become much more cautious.
“We entered a field with a small herd of bullocks (about 10-12) spread out about 40-50 metres away from us. The walk went across the field, but we decided to walk along the fence line to keep away from the bullocks. This was moor land and quite wet & muddy. The bullocks started coming towards us to have a closer look. Initially they stayed on the drier top of the field following our slow progress as we wallowed in the mud at the edge! As we neared the end where we had to cross the field to get to the stile, the bullocks kept coming closer behind us. At one stage they nudged one of us in the rear. We kept calm and kept talking to them. Eventually we got over the style with no further incident. The bullocks appeared to be more curious than aggressive. We could not move fast in the mud & they could have easily harmed us without meaning to.”
They add “We realize that it would be expensive for farmers to fence off the footpaths from cattle. Alternatively, we suggest that farmers create temporary footpaths that take walkers around their fields with cattle with appropriate signage in order to provide safe transit for walkers.”
Cattle Safety 
I agree that farmers should be able to create temporary footpaths – it would be a very sensible solution in many cases, including mine when I was attacked by a herd of Red Devons in Cornwall. However our UK law forbids landowners from blocking or diverting PRW, even when danger is present, without a lengthy and costly application process that is rarely successful. An illogical system that enshrines all PRW regardless of modern day conditions.
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I have a feeling it might also have something to do with the Covid lockdowns. Cows became used to not having people around, and when everyone was free to walk anywhere again, they definitely became less tolerant of humans.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I am certain there has been a change to more threatening behavior. My father was a farm worker for many years and I am convinced most cattle were calmer in those far off days. These days most animals live in a more controlled environment with only one type of grass to eat instead of meadows containing all kinds of nutrients. Also the feed is probably different from years ago as we have moved to a more intensive system. Yes, footpaths need protection.
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