Author: Ruth Livingstone

Walker, writer, photographer, blogger, doctor, woman, etc.

Walker killed by cattle in the Dales

First reported death this year of a walker killed by cattle in the UK

[We are sad to report the first death this year of a walker killed by cattle in the UK.]

Death in Yorkshire

On the 30th May, a couple of elderly walkers were strolling through a field near Ingleborough, when they were attacked by a herd of cows. Tragically, the man died of his injuries. The woman was severely bruised, but survived.

According to the outdoors magazine ‘Grough‘, the walkers had two small terriers with them. According to other reports, the cows had calves which they may have been protecting. Read the BBC news report of the incident, which was also reported in the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Another death in the time of virus

While hundreds of people are dying every day from this horrible Covid-19 virus, it is easy to forget that the peaceful fields of England can contain hidden dangers too.

As the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions begin to ease, we urge people to be careful, and continue to report cattle attacks to us.

You can read some of our advice for walkers here.

 

Header photo by Gary Butterfield on Unsplash

Warning: avoid carrying plastic bags!

A close escape from cattle, and a lesson learnt.

This communication is just for your information. I have had a few slightly scary encounters with cattle on my numerous country walks, but with one incident there was an explanation you need to know about. Continue reading “Warning: avoid carrying plastic bags!”

Sophie’s Story: chased by a bellowing cow

I dropped the dogs’ leads – and ran for my life.

On the 26/11/2019, I was walking with my friend along a public bridleway through a field, near Lartington, County Durham. (Grid Ref NZ015168).

We’d already been through several fields of sheep and cattle, with my two dogs, both on a short lead. Continue reading “Sophie’s Story: chased by a bellowing cow”

Three near misses

More stories from walkers who have met aggressive cattle.

Recently, we have posted a series of reports that describe nasty injuries caused by cattle attacks.  Of course, for every person injured, there are many more who have been badly frightened, who have been forced to turn back from a walk, or have had to make a hasty exit from a field of cattle.

Here are three such stories of ruined walks. Continue reading “Three near misses”

Mike’s Story – charged by a cow

It charged, and we ran for our lives.

On the 10th September, I was walking along a public footpath in a field between Bidborough Woods and Southborough Woods in Kent. I was on my own with my dog and saw no warning signs about cattle. There was long grass on either side of the path, and my dog was about 20 feet behind me. Continue reading “Mike’s Story – charged by a cow”

Abigail’s injuries

Our footpaths should be safe, particularly in an area promoted as a place for recreational walking.

Recently we published Abigail’s story, where she describes being pushed from cow to cow before being knocked to the ground. (You can read her account of the cattle attack here.)

Since posting the story, Abigail has sent us photos of her injuries. Her leg was badly bruised and required stitching and repeat dressings.

Abigail's leg

Continue reading “Abigail’s injuries”

Abigail’s story: pushed from cow to cow

They went for my dog, and then surrounded me.

On the 23rd July 2019, I was walking with my dog on a public footpath along the western shore of Coniston, in the Lake District.  We encountered a group of cows on the footpath. They went for my dog, and then surrounded me, pushing me from cow to cow. Continue reading “Abigail’s story: pushed from cow to cow”

Andy’s story: knocked down on a walk

I lifted my legs up and started kicking the attacking cows in the face

On the 8th September, this year, I was walking on a public footpath near Ashbourne in Derbyshire. I was on my own with my dog on a lead.

I saw a group of cows were in the field I was about to enter. They were heifers and brown in colour. I normally have no problem dealing with cows, so I entered and began to walk across the field. Continue reading “Andy’s story: knocked down on a walk”

Lucy’s story: Butted and trampled

I was knocked to the ground, and repeatedly kicked and head butted

On the 11th August this year, I was walking with my dog on a public right of way, near Shipton under Wychwood, Oxfordshire.

I noticed the cows in the distance, and so I called my dog to my side, put her on a short lead and made her walk to heel. She is a Labrador and is used to being walked around livestock. Continue reading “Lucy’s story: Butted and trampled”

Scramble over barbed wire

Maybe I should just pack wire cutters?

I was on a public footpath in Anglesey with a companion, and we were headed downhill east from Bod Feddau (shown on 1:25000 OS explorer Anglesey East) through a field at SH593797. We saw some bullocks in the field, and we took a low key detour to avoid the field they were in. We had no dog with us.

There was a connecting gate we hadn’t noticed. The bullocks caught sight of the pair of us and came at us at a gallop. We climbed over a couple of barbed wire fences to avoid them, getting our clothes ripped in the process.

Getting very fed up with similar incidents on Anglesey. Many farmers seem to be obstructing the footpaths with problem cattle. There were approx 25 bulls in this incident and they looked to be at least 10 months old, and possibly Limousin; which seem to be common locally. Getting to the point when I’ll just pack wire cutters to make escape easier and safer.

I’ve reported it to the council but have had no reply.