Risborough Walker

Hungry bullocks charge at walkers

Incident number: 1304

Date: 27/08/26

Location: We were walking the Outer Aylesbury Ring and had left Gypsy Bottom on our way to Ashendon, Buckinghamshire

13 walkers, no dog

Libby’s report: Our walking group is completing the Outer Aylesbury Ring, one section at a time, the path we followed was obviously not walked a lot, one wooded section was tricky with a fallen tree and some barbed wire as a trip hazard, but we continued until we arrived at the field. The field in front of us was huge, all grass was scorched, and our footpath passed along two borders of it. It contained a very boisterous group of young cattle that came charging over to us, very close. We had a discussion at the stile, the alternative was to walk along a main rural busy road with tricky bends – so hard to see walkers until you’re right on them, a large group would be at risk. 4 people opted to walk back to the road. The rest of us opted to walk across the field keeping very close together. (Cattle have poor eyesight and so a cohesive group of people are seen as a big animal and cattle will stay away – that was the reasoning- but it felt scary.)

One group member walked to a nearby gate and lured the cattle away from the stile while the rest of us crossed into the field. We all bunched up together as the cows came charging over to us, they were very frisky and came very close. We tried clapping our hands and shouting – but that brought them closer. We think perhaps the farmer fed them near that stile and he probably summoned them by shouting and waving his hands. So we just kept quiet after that.

I carried a huge branch that had fallen on the ground and others had walking poles, we just tried to make ourselves as big as possible in their eyes. They charged off and then ran round back to confront us again and again, coming very close each time. They were snorting and jostling and lowering their heads towards us – which is aggressive behaviour. Eventually we came to a scabby line of trees, we walked on the far side of these and the cattle stopped following, even though we were still in the same field as them. We must have convinced them we had no food and weren’t worth chasing. We slowly (the ground was a little uneven) made our way to the exit stile and very gratefully left their field.

None of us were injured, but it was intimidating to walk across that field. A fence separating us from the cattle would have sorted both the worried cattle and walkers.

Because we were a large group, with no dog, and had agreed before we entered the field that everyone would stick together, I felt we were safe to walk the field. (Not completely safe but better than the road!) BUT I would not have felt safe if we were a smaller group, single walkers would have been at risk by those cows I think.

I wonder if this is how cattle are behaving across the parched fields of England and Wales at the moment? If so then large groups of walkers (RAMBLERS) be careful and stick together to be safe.

Near miss in the Itchen Valley

Incident number 1300
Date: 23.08.26
Site: Brown trail – Itchen Valley, Nr Southampton ///owner.press.duck
Single walker, no dog

Walkers report: The cows were grazing. I walked through the field and they all looked up at me. One started to walk over, about 10/15 meters away then started to sprint at me. Other cows started to try and corner me off. Had to run out of field and was chased, no calves were present. Cows then decided to go around to another gate to try and chase me again. I got out of the field safely.

Experienced walker attacked on Dartmoor asks – are cows more belligerent?

Report number: 1297

Date: 16/08/26

Location: Next to Vitifer Mine Carpark (on the B3212) just down the road from the Warren House Inn, Dartmoor, Devon. Close to ///pairings.always.survey. Warren House Inn, Postbridge, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6TA

Terri’s report: “It was around 9.30am. I was walking up the hill from Warren House Inn to recce the start of a Ramblers’ Walk I was due to lead from 10.00am – I wanted to know if there was a better path to join the main track. There was a group of about 10 Highland Cattle with calves sheltering under the tree by a spring/stream close to the Warren House Inn. A few cows were standing in the road (B3212) and holding up traffic – to an extent where one car pushed a cow with its bonnet to try and persuade the cow to move. This group of cars had gone by the time I descended towards the carpark – but another group of cars (about 3, plus a motorbike) were held up by the same group of cows. I decided, as I was crossing the road, to help, by shooing the cows out of the road. I had my collie cross dog with me on a lead at the time. (In hindsight, this would seem a rash thing to do, but I have never not had a cow move when I’ve shooed it before!). I came around behind the static van stationary in the road and shooed the cow that was in the middle of the road, my dog was behind me (hiding). The cow came toward me instead of moving away, advancing her wide horns and swinging her head up and down – As I put my hands out to avoid being gored (not that it would have done much good!) – my right hand was nicked by a horn (and started bleeding) and my left hand was bruised – and swelled up a short while later (going to be an awesome bruise) and I was pushed backwards to the extent I fell over onto the road – but (fortunately) the cow then turned towards the edge of the road and didn’t trample me as I fell. A calf cantered off to follow it – and as I got to my feet I thought “Aha – mother protecting calf!”. The people in the van, plus a couple of people in another van in the carpark, plus another Moorland Guide also witnessed the incident. One of the women gave me an antiseptic wipe for the cut on my left hand, and everyone was asking me how I was. I was mainly feeling a bit shocked and a little stupid too, for approaching a Mama cow with my dog in tow. I think I’ve bruised my shoulder from where I fell over in the road, but very glad I didn’t come off worse. My dog was fine, she hid behind me and didn’t bark and gave the cows wide berth!”

“One of the Ramblers accompanying me on the walk is a member of Dartmoor Preservation Society and he said he intended to report the incident to the National Park.”

Terri wanted this incident to go on our website to “remind others that shooing Mama cows who have calves is NOT a good idea (especially with a dog in tow). They are so much bigger than us. I didn’t realise initially that there was a calf with this cow as it was not in the road but under the tree with the rest of the herd.”

Terri added: “We (the Ramblers) were wondering if cows were getting more belligerent because farmers are not so hands on – and use more machinery (eg quad bikes) to handle them. These cows were maybe in not such a good mood as I saw a couple of cows lock horns with each other, under the tree AFTER I had been attacked by one of them.”

Cattle safety comments – “we’re glad Terri is ok apart from cuts, bruises and aches”

“What do people think? In your experience are cattle more belligerent? Do let us know.”

“even the most experienced walker can be caught out, calves can be hiding in the long grasses and well nigh impossible to see, so advice to avoid getting between a mother cow and her calf can be difficult to follow.”

Family escape from aggressive cattle over barbed wire fence

Report: 1296

Date: 18/07/26

Location: 52.2403290, -1.3127479 Just looked up on map and copied from Google maps. It was on a footpath going towards Napton on the Hill, Warwickshire.

Kirsty’s Report: “We were walking across a field with cows in the far distant corner, a long way from where we were and we noticed they looked agitated. Then they suddenly all started running full speed towards us. We’ve never seen cows behave like that before. We were in danger and had our 12 year old daughter with us so had to run to nearest fence which was unfortunately barbed wire. We had no choice but to climb over the barbed wire fence to escape to safety. After we escaped we saw the cows closer and they were scraping at the ground looking very aggressive and agitated. We didn’t have a dog with us and never got anywhere near them, didn’t see any calves either so don’t understand why they reacted like that. It was terrifying. Had the cows been closer when stampede started we would not have made it out uninjured especially with the barbed wire fence.”

Kirsty added “I didn’t know how to report these incidents until I read BBC Countryfile article with this website. We need more awareness of the dangers and how to report incidents. Our family haven’t been for a walk since and it was almost a month ago. It really frightened us. We had a stressful situation finding a way out and couldn’t find a way around the cows so had a very long walk back the way we came in hot weather having run out of water too. I don’t think barbed wire fences are appropriate in fields with cows and footpaths, that made our escape to safety so much more hazardous and difficult to escape without injury.”

Cattle Safety comments:

Here is a link to our webpage giving details of who to contact after an attack Report an Incident – Cattle Safety

Link to the Countryfile article mentioned above Fear not! Here’s how to stay safe while walking near cows | Countryfile.com – please note we have many issues with this article!

Devon or Staffs; dog or no dog; near misses with cows happen – they need fencing off

Report: 1291

Date: 3/8/26

Location: Cullompton, highbanks, Devon. W3W ///relocated.waters.request

2 walkers, no dog

Single cow, ? Charolais

Report: “We were walking along the opposite side of the field next to the bushes, the cows were down by the river. They had moved around a bit, but they weren’t near us and we weren’t near them, a couple were still coming out of the river, a couple were grazing they were all near each other. There were no signs of aggression from any of them that we saw. We didn’t see the cow running at us before it was right next to us it had b-lined straight for us from across the field, we’re not sure what set it off. In fight or flight we jumped into a thorn bush as we had no time to move and it stood and stared directly at us for 5 minutes before walking back to join the herd and continue to graze. A couple of the cows in that group had little scuffles after that but it took 20 minutes till we felt comfortable enough to leave the bush and they were far away enough again. It’s a very public area with plenty of footfall generally, but there were only a few people out as it was between 9-10pm and no one was in the area at the time it happened.”

“I’m unsure on how to feel as it is a very public area. I haven’t had any issues before, they’ve been curious but I’ve never had an experience like that. I know a lot of kids and dog walkers walk through highbanks. I also know you’re meant to act bigger to scare them off but we had no time to think before it was next to us and fight or flight kicked in.”

Report 1294

Date 6/8/26

Location: Public Footpath between Bilstone and Congerstone in Staffordshire

2 walkers 1 dog on a lead

Group of cattle (?Holstein) black and white

Elizabeth’s Report: “We were walking with a Jack Russell on a lead and after entering the field the cows started walking then running towards us we tried to backtrack to leave the field but couldn’t make it in time. We jumped over a small barbed wire fence and were trapped between the cows and a canal. My husband came to rescue my son and I by yelling and swinging a cane. The cows only cleared off for long enough for us to run towards the gate to escape but they were close on our heels.”

Boisterous cattle on the Cotswold Way stop walkers following the path.

Incident number: 1290
Date: 2/8/26
Site: On the Cotswold Way public footpath at Sands Farm (between Dyrham and Pennsylvania/ (Cold Ashton) just before where the Cotswold Way crosses Gorse Lane. The very approximate coordinates are 51.468770,-2.378849.
Type of cow: Boisterous group of young cattle.
2 walkers, no dog.

Report: “At approximately 12:00 noon, Sunday 2nd August 2026, my mother and I were forced off the Cotswold way footpath due to being charged by a herd of young, boisterous cattle. We were following the Cotswold way sign posts, which took us into and signposted us across the field, we were definitely following the correct route. The field was shortly before the Gorse Lane crossing.

Cows with calves across major walking route

Incident number 1287
Date: 26.07.26
Site: Winnats Pass loop trail
2 walkers and dog (on lead)

Report: “The cows were stood next to the gate we needed to get through, as my friend and her dog carefully passed them to get through the gate a cow turned to her and began walking fast towards her, it’s head was bowed, I froze and stayed where I was – she managed to get through the gate unharmed. The cow was now stood directly in front of the gate staring at me, and I was stranded in the field. My friend on the other side of the wall moved further down and began calling the cows and they eventually headed toward her, clearing the path for my exit and I managed to escape unharmed.”

Comment: “Since this is a major walking route in the Peak District, full of fields and farms – the farmers should move the cows when they have young calves. It could have ended a lot worse.”

John was nearly killed by cows, HSE decide that a few signs will make this safe for future walkers.

Report: 1284

Date: 02/08/21

Location: Todmorden, West Yorkshire. On footpath from East Whirlaw Farm to Style Road. Approximate map reference 255 936 on OS Map OL21

Single careful walker, no dog

John’s report: “I skirted around a group of cows as I walked downhill, but a number of the calves started to follow me. After that the cows started to run towards me and as I stumbled and fell , one or two cows trampled on me. I managed to phone my wife who came to assist me with our brother-in-law. My sister-in-law went to the farmer’s house and asked him to move the cattle. He was very reluctant, saying that it was his son’s job. He was only persuaded to move them when the air ambulance said that it would be dangerous to land with the cattle in such close proximity.”

Letting go of his dog probably saved Michael’s life

Report 1259, Response ID 329,768,059, Single walker and dog, group of cows with calves and a bull

6/6/26 Location: Between Blore & Thorpe, Ashbourne on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border. On a bridle path between Coldwall Bridge and Coldwell Farm. The Limestone Way runs through the field as well as another public right of way. What three words are ‘chop.doubts.rotation’

Michael’s report: “Dog on the lead, tucked in behind me. I saw the cows with calves, and gave them a really wide berth but I saw a couple of cows running towards me from a distance away. I was knocked to the ground and then the other cows started gathering around. I sustained a serious leg injury which requires surgery. I let go of the dog and he bolted towards the gate and the cows chased him which probably saved my life.”

Michael added “Better signage would be a start. Also I’ve been informed by other farmers that it’s not appropriate to keep cows with calves near a very busy public footpath, there are 3 public footpaths running through the field in question. The following day a sponsored walk was taking place with 300 walkers set to walk through the field. I believe the farmer was made aware of the walk but chose not to move his cattle.”

Killer Cows comments: Michael has informed Police, HSE, Local Council Rights of Way Office, the Farmer, The Peak District National Park. We hope he makes a good recovery.

Cows used our dog as a football

Report 1256 Response ID 329,756,083 17/5/26 2 people and dogs Location: Staplehay, Trull Somerset, Spearcey Farm

SW’s report: It’s a public footpath with 2 adjoining fields, with a river on one side, which the cows also access regularly. As we entered the second field we immediately noticed that there were 2 or 3 calves with the 20 or so cows (the bull we noticed later). Within 10 m of entering the field the cows started running towards us so we immediately let off the dogs. Unfortunately one is slightly geriatric and a little unaware of her surrounding, so she trotted 3-5 meters from the path at which point she was immediately charged. The cows then surrounded her and started to use her as a football, basically taking turns to butt and try to stamp her. We of course were terrified and tried to make some noise and scare them off of her, to little or no avail.

Aggressive or curious cattle? Either pose a risk to walkers.

3 recent reports follow, 2 with dogs, 1 without. All the walkers felt worried enough by the cattle’s behaviour and exited the field across potentially dangerous routes. People may argue some of the cows were “just” curious or playful rather than aggressive. If a 1/2 ton of animal is “curious” and comes charging towards you or pins you to a gate, that is dangerous. Cattle pose a risk to walkers. So what is the solution?

Signs indicating dangerous cattle in the field will not happen as the law states no dangerous animals should be kept on land with public access. Banning dogs across fields of cattle clearly will not solve the problem, half of our reports are from people with no dog. Educating people to “respect the cows” will not help, you can respect a charging cow as much as you like, but it won’t make you safe. Giving cattle a wide berth, not getting between a calf and mother, having a calm dog on a short lead – all good ideas but we have reports from those who follow all the above and yet were attacked. The solution is fencing off cattle from walkers. Read the following reports and decide what you would do in that situation.

Are more field exits a solution to escape from aggressive cattle?

Report: 1243
Date: 14/5/26 Location: The incident happened on the Dales Way. In the field between the railway line on Lambrook Beck and the Beck houses. This field is in the Dales Way between Sedbergh and Burneside.

Rajiv’s post: We were walking on a public footpath on the Dales Way when our path was blocked by a herd of cows who were blocking the only exit to the field in which we were. One of the black cows walked towards us aggressively and there were two to three other cows right behind this cow who were also looking and walking towards us. We immediately walked away and tried to hide behind a tree. The aggressive cow followed us right up to the tree and chased us around the tree for a little bit. This led to a standoff where the cow was on one side of the tree and we were on the other. Eventually, when the cow was distracted, we walked briskly towards the exit and the cow followed us. We dodged the cow behind another tree, while avoiding the other cows from the herd, and eventually found a path for a brief moment which allowed us to navigate to the exit and escape. If the tree had not been there, there was no way for us to avoid the cow which was directly following us in an aggressive fashion.”
“A solution could be to have multiple exits on fields that are occupied by cows. This will allow walkers to navigate away from a single exit in the event it is blocked by cows. I also observed that a lot of accidents are while attempting to jump over barbed wire or over fences, and having multiple exits will allow walkers to escape safely.”