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Chased by bullocks on footpath at Mickla Bridge Alvington

Incident number: 1186

Response ID: 316,445,138

Date of incident: 24.08.25

Location: Footpath at Mickla Bridge, just SE of Alvington (what 3 words exist.tentacles.tubes)

Status: Lone walker with no dog on PRoW

Kenny’s account:

“I crossed the railway line to the south on the footpath. I was aware of bullocks in the field north of the tracks but to the west, so I thought I was crossing into an empty field. After moving 20m along the footpath there bullocks stampeded across from the neighbouring field (I wasn’t aware the gate was open and a bridge allowed them to cross Cone Brook). They quickly started to surround me but, luckily, the barbed wire fence around the brook gave me space to get behind and I took cover, the bullocks remained pressed up against the fence. After 10 mins I crossed back into the field, shouted and hit the nearest bullock with a stick to clear some space. I moved quickly about 25m up the path where I was able to get through a gate onto a different path that crosses the old stone bridge. The bullocks chased after me and pressed on the gate. I then had to take a detour on the new path to Kerrin Lane as the bullocks would not leave and I didn’t think I could make the 100-odd metres to the next field on my original path to Alvington.”

Cattle Safety replies “We are very glad you have survived this ordeal and please could you report the incident Tell us about a health and safety issue – Contact HSE”

Cows crowding around us on the Pennine Way near Bellingham

Incident number: 1185

Response ID: 316,421,828

Date of incident: 22.08.25

Location: Bellingham, Hexham Pennine Way ///soup.chitchat.spill

Status: Two people with dog on lead on PRoW

Sarah’s story

“We were walking quietly and calmly through the field on the right of way with our dog on a short lead. The cattle were very interested and started crowding around us and our dog. We let our dog off the lead as we became increasingly concerned for our and our dogs safety as there was also a bull present. The cows chased our dog. Our dog came back to us, we managed to slow the cows down by shouting and waving our arms. We slowly managed to back out the field by shouting at the cows to stay away and walking backwards to the gate.”

Sarah adds “I would like to see cattle be separated off from footpaths.”

Steve took an obstacle course option to avoid cattle on public footpath

Incident number: 1184

Response ID: 316,374,502

Date of incident: 24.08.25

Location: Public footpath off A489 at rear of Montgomery Water next to Ditch/River Camlad

Status: Lone walker with no dog on PRoW

Steve’s account

“I entered the field from the stile and the public footpath was shown on AllTrails as being diagonally across the field. As I got further into the field I could see there was cattle and for me to reach the exiting stile I would need to go close to them. I decided to head closer to the boundary with a low fence and a ditch to my left. As I carried on walking I could see at least one of the cattle was a young bullock (horns) and it had stopped grazing and was looking towards me. At this point I realised that I couldn’t reach the entrance before the cattle could reach me and I decided to clamber onto the other side of the fence with the steep ditch still to my left. As I walked on this side of the fence the cattle started to approach me. I carried on on the other side of the fence but it then became apparent that my right of way was blocked by a wooden rail fence which allowed the cattle to reach the water . I turned back and started retracing my steps and the cattle were now close to the fence. I had only one escape route which was to descend the steep bank and cross the ditch and clamber up the steep bank on the other side which is what I did. I had cuts and scratches from brambles on my legs, as I was wearing shorts, and soaking muddy boots. I didn’t really know if cattle were on the other side but it turned out to be sheep. I then decided to continue along the ditch on the other side to run parallel with the public footpath to see if I could pick up the footpath further along. However I then came across another field which contained cattle, They looked like Jersey’s. I decided not to enter and walked inward and along the boundary field that contained the sheep. This eventually brought me out near a farmhouse and I was able to ask permission to go through the farmyard and back to the main road. I explained what had happened and the reason why I was on the farmland. The individual I spoke to explained that the land with the bullocks on wasn’t his land and after asking if I was OK directed me in the direction I needed to go to reach my destination.”

This walker was trampled and airlifted to hospital

Incident number: 1182

Response ID: 316,347,703

Date of incident: 17.07.25

Location: Public footpath , Buriton to Petersfield Hants,

Status: Lone walker with dog on the lead on a PRoW

Nigel’s story

“While walking on the footpath with my dog on the lead , about 20 cattle became very agitated, then charged.

I was trampled underfoot , suffering 11 fractured ribs 2 small fractures to the lower vertebrae and a bruised lung. I was found by another walker and was air lifted to hospital, thankfully my dog slipped her harness and ran off.

My dog found her way home thank goodness”

Nigel says that most people are unaware of the danger and is now recovering from his ordeal. We wish him well and thank him for informing others about the potential dangers of walking in fields of cows.

Several aggressive cows charging walkers in Snowdonia

Incident number: 1180

Response ID: 316,325,882

Date of incident: 14.08.25

Location: Trail north of Llyn Gwynant campground in Snowdonia

Status: Two people walking without a dog on PRoW

Chris’s Story

“Several cows were spaced around a narrow trail. Calves were nearby. One began mooing aggressively and approached us. I shouted and waved at it and it backed away. But as we passed it tried to come up behind us. More shouting and waving allowed us to move on. We then reached a lone cow slightly down the trail who moved aggressively towards us. We started moving slowly off trail and I took out my hiking poles. It charged by wife and I jumped in front waving the poles and shouting. It stopped and retreated, allowing us to carry on. We ran into a father and son heading down the trail and warned them. Hopefully they were ok.”

Not worth taking the risk with cows on path to the beautiful St Nectan’s Glen

Incident number: 1178

Response ID: 316,243,609

Date of incident: 08.06.25

Location: Halgabron, little Clifden farm at Tintagel footpath number 554/46/1 leading from the road to woodland adjoining St Nectans glen.

Status: Single walker with dog on lead on PRoW

Sue’s Story

“I booked a week camping at little Clifden farm. The footpath leads direct from the site to woodland and a local attraction St Nectans Glen. I assumed I could walk on the path daily with my dog. However the site owner has 3 large bulls in the field which put me off using it. I had to do a 1.5 mile detour some of it on a dangerous stretch of road instead. The site owner said they are friendly, however when I stood near the start of the path they looked very large and menacing, I was not prepared to take the risk. Had I known there were bulls on the footpath I would not have booked the holiday as I had planned to walk in the woodland daily with my dog, so this somewhat ruined my holiday.”

Sue’s further beliefs

“The site owner advertises this path as a route to the scenic waterfall so should at least make the path safer. She encourages people to walk through telling them the bulls are friendly and will follow them across. She told me very young camping children were running up to them feeding them grass. This is reckless behaviour in my opinion, and an accident waiting to happen, as a farmer she should know the risk, she is charging £20 a night for camping and ignoring the safety of guests and the public.”

Warning signs were present but cows not seen until too late.

Incident number: 1103

Response ID: 314,407,411

Date of incident: 11.05.25

Location: Near Amroth church in Pembrokeshire (what 3 words: pave.haggling.searching)

Status: Couple with dog on lead on PRoW

Sharon’s story

“We walked through the field from the woodland end and couldn’t see any cattle. They were lying down at the road end. One young one got up as soon as it saw/heard us approaching. We were still some distance away but they were clearly interested in us and others got up and started to approach. Most were young and not sure what sex. One older cow was snorting at us and coming closer. Our dog was on the lead but did bark at the cows as they were behaving quite aggressively. I tried waving my arms and shouting to make them move away but they just kept coming. I told my partner to let the dog go. This distracted the big cow a bit and we continued across the field. My partner managed to get through the gate with the dog but the big cow followed and my exit was blocked. Thankfully she turned away long enough for me to get through too. It was incredibly scary. The big cow was almost within arms reach when we let the dog go. I’m sure she wasn’t going to back off as clearly protecting the youngsters even though we hadn’t attempted to approach them.”

Sharon adds “Aggressive cow should not be on a public footpath or provide fencing, electric or permanent, to ensure safety of walkers”

Crawling under barbed wire fence for safety

Incident number: 1102

Response ID: 314,378,168

Date of incident: 09.05.25

Location: In between Easton, Hampshire and Winchester Hampshire, near Easton Lane

Status: Couple with dog on lead on PRoW

Chloe’s Story

“We walked into the field and kept close to the fence as there were cows near the footpath gate. Our dog was on short lead next to us. We tried to walk quickly through to the next gate but at least 5 cows started stamping and charged us. I had to climb under a barbed wire fence to avoid being hit by a charging cow. The dog’s lead slipped out my hand and the terrified dog tried to get back to me but being charged by cows. Eventually the dog got under fence, cows pushing up against the fence to get to us.

The dog was unharmed thank goodness. He came close to being trampled multiple times but is young and very quick.”

Farmer said “Once they smell fear, you’ve had it!”

Incident number: 1099

Response ID: 314,338,743

Date of incident:

Location: On the Wysis Way (60 mile trail between Monmouth and Kemble) near Taynton

Status: Group of walkers without of dog on PRoW

NKL’s story

“We all climbed the style, and noticed a farmer in the field with cows around him while he worked. He had a quad bike, and hopped back on – looking like he was leaving… The cows (bulls?) ran behind him. We stopped to allow them to follow the farmer… Hopefully out of the field. The cows noticed us and all started to run at us. We stayed still. But they kept coming. They got with a few meters of us and the farmer then drove between the nearest cow and our group and changed the cows direction. But there were others very close (now what happens with the quad bike and cows I don’t remember) but I must have had time to announce to the others that I was heading to a big wide trunked tree at the same time they’d all had the same idea. We were in the middle of a field with no fence to jump over. But we all made it to the tree and clapped and shooed them away for long enough that the farmer reappeared on his quad bike and said “do you want me to take you to the path on the other side” so with 5 of us and the farmer on a quad bike, we were driven to safety, cows running, and bucking behind us. The Farmer said during this journey “Once they smell fear, you’ve had it” (we weren’t worried till they ran at us). We made it over a style safely together. And the cows stood there all mooing loudly surrounding the style. As we gathered ourselves and walked parallel to the style the cows ran along side us still mooing and bucking. Honestly, we don’t know if they were dangerous, or lively and playful. But didn’t want to find out!” These walkers want “Signs, or fences on popular walking routes. So concerned about the next walkers to enter that field”

Very lively cows on popular walk in Cornwall

Incident number: 1098

Response ID: 314,300,999

Date of incident: 04.05.25

Location: Footpath approaching Rinsey from Trewavas

Status: Couple with dog on lead on PRoW

TT’s story

“We were on a walk in Cornwall and as we approached the footpath we met two walkers who advised us that the cows were ‘very lively’ in the field. As we climbed the high stone and earth stile we could see about a dozen heifers right at the stile. The heifers could only be seen from the top of the stile as it was a solid type. They couldn’t see our dog as she was the other side but no doubt they could hear and smell her. Although we are very experienced walkers and are both very fit and able, we could not see any viable or accessible alternative to the footpath. Had such an alternative been available, we would have gladly taken it. My husband went over the stile first and used his arms to appear big and get the cows away and then I followed. The cows were obviously very inquisitive but also aggressive, running at us and circling behind us. They were definitely not happy about us or our dog (who was on a lead and harness closely under our control). I also tried waving my arms and using my voice to get them to steer clear but they were getting closer and closer and circling us, more were joining from further down the field and we felt at huge risk of being trampled. I saw a small hole in the hedge line which was lined by thorny gorse and I plunged through it dragging our dog and closely followed by my husband as we feared we would not make it safely to the end of the field. We were left shaken and sustained quite deep scratches down my arm and leg but felt lucky that this was all that happened.”

TT adds “I would like to see farmers have to install electric fencing or other management of cows where there are footpaths in fields.”

Dogs killed and air ambulance called in this historic cattle attack near Ashbourne

Incident number: 1096

Response ID: 314,266,382

Date of incident: 09.07.2019

Location: Near Ashbourne (what3words) ///lavished.gear.birds

Status: Lone walker with three dogs on a lead on PRoW

This Ashbourne resident’s story

“I was walking my 3 dogs in the field when I noticed cattle grazing so I walked calmly & slowly towards them. At this stage I wasn’t frightened as I thought they are harmless creatures but then they all started to walk towards me before I knew it was on the floor being rolled. I became aware of hearing one of my dogs cry so I managed to sit upright amongst the cattle and pull my dogs towards me.

One called Mazy had been trampled to death, Marlee my second had also been trampled on but was alive just unable to move, and my third dog Burty was ok, so I unhooked them all leaving Burty to run away while I try to pick myself and Marlee up from the ground. I had to leave Mazy there.

As I stood up I was knocked again to the floor but I still held on to Marlee. By this time Burty had come back to me so I stood up holding both dogs under my arm as they were all small dogs but once again I was knocked to the floor. Burty ran under a gate that was roughly 10 yards from me, I watched him go as I just lay there thinking that’s it I’m done I can’t move due to having hurt my leg in the first fall.

Luckily two cars were lost in the same field as their sat nav took them both the wrong way so they approached that same gate near where I was laying but they couldn’t see me due to all the cows surrounding me so I managed to put my hand up in the air as I could see a car bumper near to where I was and then they saw me. They too were being attacked by the same cows but they managed to get me in their car and open the gate. I remember a motorcyclist coming towards the cars holding Burty asking if the dog belong to us. Apparently Burty ran out into the main road causing the motorcyclist to stop .

I was taken by ambulance from the side of the field to an air ambulance in the neighbouring field then taken to Stoke hospital. I suffered broken ribs, bumps to the head and cow hoof imprint on my left leg of which after many surgeries I am left with a shark bite image on that leg. At the time of the accident I was wearing a backpack that contained a flask of which saved my life.

I now suffer from PDSD from not only the accident but from losing my two best friends Marlee & Mazy”

Cows frightening walkers on coastal path from Mothercombe

Incident number: 1093

Response ID: 314,213,800

Date of incident: 24.04.25

Location: On the coast path heading from Mothercombe towards Butcher’s Cove

Status: Couple with a dog on a lead on PRoW

C Taylor’s story

“My partner and I were walking with our dog on a lead along the coastal path which passed through a field of dairy cows belong to Surfing Cow Gelato. One cow started walking towards us. We stopped and my partner waved his arms and made a noise. The cow stopped but the herd began walking, then trotting, towards us. Suddenly then were all running towards us. We ran through an open gate and closed it which deterred them but there were other openings in the hedge/gate. We only just made it through — the cows were a few meters behind us. We then started walking and the cows slowed down, still following us but this time they were walking rather than running.”

This walker wants “ A sign warning walkers about the cows and a path separating walkers from the cows”