I was terrified, and couldn’t find my dog anywhere.
On the 1st June, 2022, I was walking on a public footpath on Hob Moor, near Acomb, with my two small dogs on a lead. A herd of cows came towards me, and I let my dogs off the lead.
Continue reading “Sarah’s Story: my dogs were chased by a herd of cows.”Unprovoked attack by cows on The Weaver’s Way
On the 30th May, 2020, I was walking from Acle to Berney Arms along the Weavers Way path. The incident happened after passing through Halvergate and crossing the Fleet river into open countryside.
Continue reading “Andy’s story: leapt over a fence to escape”Be vigilant. Give cattle a wide birth. Provide notices…
On the 20th of August, 2021, I was knocked down and badly injured by cattle, as was my friend Tony. I describe my experience here: David Gosling’s story: knocked down and tramped on
I was lying on the ground with a ton of cow above me.
On the 20th of August, 2021, I set off from Buxton with my friend Tony, for what we expected to be a gentle 10 mile walk.
Continue reading “David Gosling’s story: knocked down and tramped on”I was screaming for help whilst holding on to the tree.
A few days ago, on the 24th October, we were attacked by cattle.
Paul and I went for a walk in Little Ribston Hall fields, keeping to the public footpaths and with our dog, Poppy, on her lead as advised on the gate. We walked past the sheep and over the bridge where we passed cows on either side of the concrete road (a public footpath) and had a wonderful walk.
On the way back, some of the cows were crossing the footpath, but there were around 50 cows still standing on either side of the path, so we could not walk around them. We were new to the estate and we had no idea of any other routes. We decided to keep Poppy on her lead as advised on notices and we kept to the path.
By the time we got closer, the cows had moved off the path… but they soon surrounded us, and began mooing and circling around us.
They managed to spilt me and Paul up. The cows were trying to trample Poppy, and Paul was going round in circles trying to keep her safe. One of the cows head butted Paul in the shoulder. I was screaming for help whilst holding on to the tree and screaming at Paul to pick up Poppy. No one could hear us as the cows were so loud.
Luckily Paul managed to get Poppy to the cattle grid and was going to tie Poppy up and come back for me. I shouted at him to stay with Poppy and I slowly let go of the tree. I did not look at the cows and walked slowly away, knowing cows were each side of me.
As soon as I could not see any cattle out of the corner of my eyes, I ran… and collapsed into Pauls arms.
When we looked back, we saw the cows had two calves with them in the field. I know that all they were doing was looking after their babies, and they were very angry at us for being in the field.
Paul had a bruised shoulder and later took cocodamol for pain. Luckily, Poppy was unharmed. Paul saved her life as the cows tried to trample her. She was terrified.
Later, I phoned Harrogate Borough Council, but they said it is nothing to do with them. It was up to us to call the land owner and report it. I did that, but the land owner just said he can graze cattle wherever he wants and ‘sorry it happened’. He also told us we should have let Poppy off her lead to run away. He said we should have found an alternative route on an ordinance survey map, but it was our first time walking in the area, and we did not know of any other route.
Even though it was a public footpath, the owner can apparently graze his cattle where he wants, but it would have been good if there were warning signs about the calves. We have learnt a very big lesson.
I just wanted to put this post on to warn others about this situation as we were both terrified. We are lucky to still be alive.
Respondent ID 256526757
Photo credit: Chris Heaton, image on Wikimedia, Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0
When they saw me, they charged.
On the 28th August, 2021, I was walking with my partner between Gillamoor, North Yorkshire, to Hutton-Le-Hole. We were on a public footpath crossing farmland.
Continue reading “Keith J’s story: charged by bulls”We both fell on the floor.
On the 20th August, I was walking with my husband along the Monsal Trail, near Bakewell, Derbyshire.
We came to a stile where 3 bullocks and a cow were standing. We walked calmly in order to pass them – when, suddenly, the cow charged at my husband and rammed its horn into his stomach.
Continue reading “Maxine’s story: rammed by a cow”I made it to the stile just in time.
On the 9th June, 2021, I was walking on my own along a public footpath in Wales, near Whitchuch. I was coming back from the Woollen Mill at Solva and walking across fields to get back down into Solva.
Continue reading “Alison’s story: sprint to the stile”I was encircled by a large herd of cattle…
On the 7th August, 2021, I was walking across a grazing field near Wentworth, South Yorkshire, where there was a herd of cows, bullocks and calves. I was on a well-used and well-signed footpath. I had my dog on a short lead, which I always do when walking where there is any risk of encounters with livestock.
Continue reading “M Wood’s story: charged by cows”cornered by herds of cattle
On the 9th August, 2020, I was walking along a public footpath in Norton village, near Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire (grid reference TL 23241 34541). I was on my own and didn’t have a dog with me.
I noticed the cows as I was walking through the footpath, but they were in a far corner and peacefully grazing. As I reached around midway through the field they began moving towards me. They then blocked my path and one ran towards me. I put my hands up and talked calmly, backing away slowly. They continued pursuing me. I fell over while walking backward and the same one approached again. I ended up backing back to the gate and leaving the field.
My main worry would be if that footpath was used by children, or families with children who didn’t know how to behave around cattle, this incident could have ended much worse.
Respondent ID: 240210409
2. A couple’s story
On the 9th August, 2020, we were walking on a public footpath near Brailsford, Derbyshire, in a field just southwest of the Post Office.
We saw a group of black bullocks standing in the field, so decided to give them a wide berth (c. 70 metres). We have been through this field before, but the cattle have either all been lying down or have been in another part of the field c. 250 metres away. However, today they were standing up.
I noticed that very soon they started walking purposefully towards us. I would estimate that there were approximately 15-20 animals.
I ran to the gate, but my wife isn’t as quick. She picked up a stick, which she waved at them in order to keep them at bay. I went back to help her, and started shouting and screaming at the bullocks to provide a decoy. This helped to distract them, and to allow my wife to get to the gate too.
It was very frightening, especially for my wife.
We did report the incident to the police. Ideally, we’d the cattle to be moved somewhere else so that they are no longer a nuisance to those using a public footpath. Failing that, some warning signs MUST be put up if the farmer doesn’t wish to face prosecution.
Respondent ID: 240210310
3. CS’s story
On the 19th August, 2020, I was walking along a public footpath near Morton, Derbyshire (Grid Reference SK 40048 60921). I was on my own in the field, with my two dogs on a lead.
One of the cows in the field took a dislike to us and started stomping and huffing. Then it got ready to charge!
The herd cornered us. I had to climb through a barbed wire fence to escape, as unable to find another way to safety. The dogs were unharmed, but I had some scratches and bruises.
Respondent ID: 240476237
The bull appeared in front of the gate… about two metres away.
On the 13th June, 2021, I was walking with a group along a footpath in Eaton Dale, near Alsop en le Dale, in the Peak District (Grid reference: SV 16978 55586)
We came to a field with a waterhole next to the gate. Did a check of the field before entering, and saw there were cows but did not see a bull or calves. They looked like dairy cows.
Continue reading “Chris’s Story: a scary encounter with cows and a bull”I trust cows, but I know when they turn…
On the 3rd April, 2021, I was walking with my family through Aston Hall Farm, in Wen, Shropshire. We were following the footpath, and I had my working gun-dog on a lead, who has been brought up on our own farm. We didn’t see any warning signs, but there was cattle in the field – a group of heifers and bullocks, dairy cross.
Continue reading “A Farmer’s Story: charged by cattle”
Cattle Safety 