Risborough Walker

Dreadful attack along the Rochdale Canal

Response ID 308,860,893

Report number 1032

Date of incident: 30/06/23

Location: Alongside the canal at Smithybridge (Hollingworth lake, Rochdale)

Account: “I was dog walking along the canal at Smithybridge. It is a tarmac public footpath, which cars use as a short cut. I had 2 frenchie dogs on leads, not barking. There was one cow half on the path and I was wondering whether to walk behind or turn round and take the 2 mile walk back instead. When I got to approx 5ft from it, it backed up a couple of steps completely blocking the path. When I turned to go back there were approx 8 more behind me. As soon as I turned they started scraping their hooves and mooing. I let go of the dogs, next thing I knew I was knocked (luckily) into a ditch.

I curled up into a fetal ball whilst they circled and tried to stamp on me. The noise was horrendous, I really didn’t think I would survive. Then it went quiet. I was afraid to even look up. I crawled in agony to the cattle grid ( I don’t know the distance but it took me about 30 mins). The dogs were sat waiting. I called a friend to come for me. We took the dogs back to the house and then she took me to hospital. I had 4 fractured ribs, a fractured collar bone and a bust ankle. I stayed overnight but had to look after the dogs, so signed myself out the next day. I called the police to see if they needed it on record…they said no it’s a civil matter.”

She adds “I would like the adverts on tv where there are men/woman stroking cows in a field to stop.”

Welsh Coastal path close call – saved by a dog

Response ID 309,843,934

Incident number 1041
Date of incident: 9/11/24
Location: Welsh Coastal path between Pembrey forest and Kidwelly https://w3w.co/inspector.lecturers.provoking

Description: Two of us were heading back after a long walk about 5pm, it had gotten dark. We met 2 young men coming towards us who warned us that cows had charged at them and they were now trying to find another way home, they did not have a dog with them. We had already walked 13 miles with less than 1 to go till we got to the car, plus we thought they might have been exaggerating, so we continued on.

“We came upon some cows that were blocking the path and going around them wasn’t an option (the surrounding area is wet) so we approached calmly but as soon as they’d seen us they started to approach, some faster than others and they charged then stopped, then charged then stopped. Their behaviour was very threatening. I put the light on my phone and used it to dazzle them and try get them to back off while walking backwards. I had my dog on lead who was calm and controlled initially, but when the cattle had basically surrounded us he started to bark and push them back, we had to continue to walk backwards because every time we turned they would charge. They eventually stopped following us but then we came across another group of about 20-30 blocking the path and had to go through it all again, I’m honestly not sure what would have happened if our dog hadn’t protected us.”
“I absolutely believe that our dog saved us and if something had happened to us we were in middle of nowhere and nobody would have found us for some time.”

Killer Cows notes this attack is on the same stretch of the coastal path as Glyn Austin’s attack – it appears that no safety measures have been introduced.

https://killercows.co.uk/2023/10/12/glyn-austins-tale-attack-on-welsh-coastal-path/

Cee wants footpaths kept open with electric fencing if cattle are in a field with a footpath.

Response ID 309,769,038

Report number 1040
Date: 8/11/24
Location: imported.perch.cursing Field between long lane and Ennys lane, St Hilary, Cornwall
Cows with calves in the field.

Description: I was walking my dog on a footpath across the field, she was on a lead, she is scared of cows so was pulling away from them. We got herded into the hedge by the cattle and then I got head butted and knocked over. I managed to get out of the field but then realised my phone had been knocked out of my pocket so I had to go back. I tied Kenza up and went to look for it. Unfortunately I was knocked over again and then there was a sustained attack by two or three of them. I really thought my number was up. They were trampling me and head butting. They only stopped when I stopped moving and I eventually managed to crawl to a gateway and escape into another field.”

“I have chipped a tooth, another is very wobbly. I had a nose bleed. I am covered in bruises and can barely walk. This has only just happened so I am not sure of the extent of my injuries.”

Update: Cee has now been assessed at hospital and found to have broken ribs and a broken vertebra as a result of the cow attack – these are significant and serious injuries that will take time to recover from!

Cee would like “warning signs when there are cows with calves in fields with footpaths and footpaths kept open with electric fencing, with fines for farmers who don’t do this.”

“I do think there could be an electric fence particularly when cows with calves are in the field.”

Response ID 309,309,590

Report number 1039

Date of incident: 4/6/92

Location: Easenhall Nr Rugby Warwickshire . Public bridleway. Belgian Blue cows with year old calves in the field.

Report: “My husband and I have walked through this field for many years with our 3 dogs on leads with no problems, our dogs were quiet. This particular day the cows were very noisy and unsettled. They ran down the slope towards us and bowled me over and then l was trampled. My husband managed to drag me away and two of the dogs ran away, one stayed with us.”

“I needed emergency hospital treatment for badly crushed legs and slight concussion. I spent several days in hospital and had treatment over months for ulcerated legs and was off work for 6 months.”

“We informed the farmer and the police and did try for some form of redress but after several months were told as we were fighting the farmers union we had no chance of success and we couldn’t afford to pursue it further. The local paper did a report on this subject. I do think there could be an electric fence particularly when cows with calves are in the field.”

Rammed to the ground by a cow on Castle Howards estate

Response ID 309,244,045

Report number: 1038

Date of incident : 1/11/2024

Location: Wilburn, Yorkshire on a walk by the castle Howard estate ///harmlessly.fitter.cowboys

2 walkers and baby, no dog. Cows and calves in field.

Account: “My husband and I were walking with our baby in a sling on me. The trail went through a herd of cows so we tried to go around them and as we walked by, a cow starting getting agitated. It then charged us and rammed my husband to the ground. As he backed away on the floor, it backed up and charged him again. We backed up slowly. Another cow came charging towards us looking upset and we walked slowly backwards and it stopped. No injuries (other than a wet bum but no bruising) but still quite scary!”

Father’s quality of life severely impacted after a cattle attack nr Chipping Norton

Response ID 308,967,877

Report number: 1036

Date of attack: 15/08/24

Location: Chipping Norton – on a popular public footpath through a field to the left of the London Road as you come into town.

Report: “On 15th August, my 83yr old father was found seriously injured and trampled by cows on a public footpath near Chipping Norton. That accident has fundamentally changed his life. He regularly walked that path through the field by himself as part of his usual 4 mile route. There were sometimes cows in the field – which he simply ignored. On the day of the accident, we don’t know exactly what happened as he doesn’t remember it (nor the following 11 days when he was in hospital). At c. 3.30 in the afternoon he was seen by the farmer’s wife, who sent the farmer out to investigate. It was obvious he was badly hurt, and he was taken to A&E by ambulance. Due to his lack of consciousness and subsequent confusion, I was not called until c. 9.30 that night. When I got to A&E I discovered he had been trampled, resulting in major injuries.”

Lisa will never go through a field of cows on her own again.

Response ID 308,966,531

Report number: 1034

Date of incident: 11/05/24

Location: Firle, near Lewes, Sussex

Lisa’s account: “I was walking solo on one of my favourite routes, making my way up to Firle Beacon on the South Downs Way. The path between Glynde and Firle takes you through a small field on the Firle estate, where there is usually a flock of sheep. This time, I could see that there was a herd of cows right at the other end of the field, and I wasn’t sure if they were on the other side of the fence. They were standing still so I figured I’d be ok. As I got halfway across, one cow turned to look at me then started walking towards me. Then it started trotting. I remember saying, “Oh no…” as it got faster, and others started to follow it.

I knew that the rule was not to run, but as they gathered speed, I decided in a split second to make a run for the gate. As they thundered behind me, I screamed as I ran. The field is next to a cricket pitch and behind a pub but no one heard me. I got through the gate in the nick of time and turned round to find a washed-out sign saying BEWARE – and then some unintelligible marker writing. I could just make out SUGGEST ALTERNATIVE ROUTE. As I stood there looking at the herd, the farmer drove into the field from the other side and proceeded to feed them. They obviously thought I was bringing their food. I was so stunned I didn’t go over to complain to him and continued my walk but I will never go through a cow field on my own again.”

Lisa would like “Proper signage from the farmer, if they are unable to cordon the animals off. In this case, there was an alternative route, and I could’ve taken it (if it had been properly signed), but by the time I realised there was a problem, it was too late.”

Another attack by a cow near Belstone

Response ID 308,834,896

Report number 1031

Date of incident: 27/10/24

Location: 2 people walking on the public footpath out of Belstone Cleave back towards Belstone on the top path near Skaigh.

Single cow, Belted Galloway.

Report: “We were walking single file along the narrow path when a single cow suddenly appeared from the undergrowth a couple of feet in front of us. In a split second it had knocked me to the ground and kicked me, my husband then shouted and it turned and head butted him in the chest sending him flying. It all happened in a few seconds, truly terrifying.”

“We suffered bruised ribs, legs and base of spine.”

Valerie suggests warning signs or maybe moving the cows to an enclosed field!

“I think that farmers should be more responsible about placing their stock where there is a public right of way”

Response ID 308,779,200

Report number 1030

Date of incident 30/06/24

Location: On public footpath above Berry Pomeroy Village, (nr Totnes)

Report: “We were returning from Berry Pomeroy castle to Totnes and took the marked footpath through a field that led down to Berry Pomeroy Village. Although there was a sign to keep dogs on a lead (it was just us two) and cow pats; there were no visible signs of cattle.

We had walked over the ridge and about half way down the field towards the exit gate and spotted around 50 cows (mainly Friesians) standing at the base of the field in the shade. We then noticed a young cow get up by the gate and proceed to walk to the herd who then surrounded it before they all decided to walk up the field towards us. Having walked half way downhill and realising that they were all heading towards us, we realised we would not be able to get down to the gate and needed to turn back up the hill. We calmly walked back up the hill with the herd some distance away but they were moving so quickly that we realised there was no way out – due to the hedge and barbed wire fencing. Just before they got to us we spotted a small gap in the hedge and managed to scramble under the barbed wire and over some more before ending up in nettles that enabled us to get to the adjacent field. Feeling very frightened and stung we got home that way.

Fortunately it was only two of us but had a family or young children been doing that walk or anyone with a dog the whole situation would have resulted in a serious situation. I was terrified. My partner took a video of the incident with them surrounding us at the hedge where we had crawled to.

The Local Authority were really helpful and I also reported it to https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm regarding a public right of way, but did not hear from them.

We are really keen walkers and love visiting different places. We are close to Dartmoor and I now have a phobia of walking in open spaces when spotting cow pats or cows grazing. In the past I would think nothing of walking around cattle and feeling safe. I think that farmers should really be more responsible about placing their stock where there is a public right of way as these incidents are becoming increasingly frequent. I fully appreciate that farmers are entitled to earn a living but not at the detriment of the public’s safety. We are always fully compliant and respectful of the environment when we are walking and always follow the marked footpaths. These incidents do seem to fall on deaf ears so I would like there to be stricter legislation brought out in order that we can enjoy our environment safely. On an occasion in Dorset we had to take a busy main road back to our camp in the dark as the public footpath went through a field with a huge black bull in it.”

Cows aren’t always visible when you enter a field.

Response ID 308,617,615

Report number: 1028

Date of incident: 21/10/24

Location: We were walking along the riverside from Grassington to Burnsall, in the Yorkshire Dales

Report: “A group of us were walking through the field, we had a dog on a lead. There were no warning signs to let us know cattle were grazing. We could see two cows in the far distance up a hill and we couldn’t see any other cows at this point. As we walked further my partner said, oh there’s lots of cows heading this way. They were moving quite fast and they started trotting. I turned around and walked calmly and quickly back to the gate. Two other people started running. My partner stayed with my elderly father in law and hurried to get him out as the cows were now right behind them mooing and swishing their tales. It was very scary. We felt if we’d gone further in the field the consequences would have been very different.

Signage should be clearly visible warning walkers that cattle are grazing. And to warn people especially those who have dogs that they could potentially be at risk.”

Killer Cows state: All too often cattle present in a field will spoil or stop a walk. So-called “experts” will advise you to assess the cows before entering the field – well that couldn’t work here. “Experts” ask you to assess whether they are just curious or after food – but are you going to stand in a field and wait for them to get to you to see if they are angrily trotting towards you or not? The solution is clear – separate walkers and cattle, with a fence if the cows have to be in that field. It is illegal to block or obstruct a public right of way, cattle that stop you walking are illegal.

Harry thought there was no way the cattle would be allowed to be free if they posed a risk.

Response ID: 308,551,446

Report number: 1027

Location: Walking on Heart of England route just up from Blockley village and in field that runs parallel with the road from Blockley to Batsford Estate.

Account: I entered the field with my Jack Russell in a lead. I walked a few feet away from the stone wall on the very edge of the field. The cows were a good distance away. One cow looked up and stared at me. She went over to her calf and then just ran at my dog. She head butted my dog and scooped her in the air. As my dog was in the air I grabbed her and the cow was bellowing like a mad animal. She turned away and I thought I was safe. But she then ran at me and head butted me in my chest. I stumbled but didn’t fall. I was so near the wall so I jumped over the stone wall and barbed wire and lay in a ditch. The cow stayed bellowing at me and my dog, snorting and glaring at me, in this ditch. I had just about a foot width between the wall and barbed wire and a wire fence on the other side of the ditch.

I managed to get my phone and I rang 999. I honestly thought I was going to die. This cow was just reaching over the wall trying to reach me. The call operator from the fire brigade was great. They asked if I had what 3 words, I didn’t. I lay in this ditch for over 5 minutes, wedged between wire and the stone wall. When I couldn’t see the cow I popped my head up over the wall to see if it had gone.

The cow had walked off, but as soon as it saw my head, she came running over again, bellowing and shaking her head. At one point she followed the wall in front of me, I think she was looking for an opening to get to me. After some time I heard a human voice. I shouted, “help help, I’m behind the wall, are there any cows in the field?” A lady shouted back- ‘no’. So I put my head up again and the cows had moved into the next field. They have free access across 4 fields all on the public footpath. This lady, and her husband helped me and my dog over the wall. I could hardly breathe I was so frightened.

I know the walk as I walk it at least once a week. So I walked as quickly as possible to the gate and onto the road. There I just broke down and sobbed and saw how cut I was from jumping over the wall and barbed wire. The fire brigade found me as I went to the farmer whose cattle they are.

I thought I was safe, as I have lived in the country all my life. But most significantly I thought I was safe as the cows and their calves were out and free to walk all over the Monarch’s Way that is a very very popular walking route.

I thought there was no way they would be allowed to be free if they posed a risk. How wrong I was..”

Harry has reported this to the farmer, the police and the Health and Safety Executive.

Family walk involved walking through cattle with calves

Report number: 989
Date of incident: 15/4/2016
Location: Merthyr Tydfil/ Aberdare way

Report: “We, f40, m35, son 4 and son 2 in a pushchair, walked along a track at about 3pm to the woods about a mile away. No cows around but they could be seen very far away up the mountain. When we returned at about 6/7pm, it was still light but about 20 cows with calves were blocking the road. We had to go through the centre of them to get to the end of the track and our car. I passed first with son 2 in pushchair and 1 dog on leash. My husband was holding my 4 year old sons hand and our other dog on a leash. He saw one cow staring intently and it took a step towards them. The entire herd looked like it was ready to run at them. My husband took a step towards it and stared it down. While also picking up our son slowly.

As crazy as it sounds, my husband growled at the cow. Don’t ask me why! But it worked and after a very tense 2 minutes of staring at each other, with the rest of the herd also staring at him, the cow turned and walked off taking the rest of the herd with it. I don’t know what would’ve happened if he hadn’t done that. I don’t know whether the growling or the staring down was what worked. But I honestly feel like he saved our lives that night. I’ve since had a phobia of sorts of cows. Which everyone, including my husband thinks is so funny because, after all, they’re only cows, right?!”

Further comment “We obviously need better signage of areas that have cattle but also include the dangers of walking there at dusk and during calving season. Something I didn’t know anything about before. I also think more education would be good. Children should be taught from a young age to respect the countryside and it’s animals. They learn about the green cross code so why not about countryside safety as well.”