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.”
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!”
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’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.”
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!
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.
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.”
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.
Location: The walk was one mapped out by the local pub ‘The Smoker Inn’. According to the photo I took, the location was Wood Tenement Farm, Pinfold Lane, Plumley WA16 9RR.
Status: Two people without a dog on a PROW
Our reporter said
“When we entered the field the cows were quite a distance away in a far corner, we walked quietly across the field to the next gate (following instructions). The cows started to walk towards us, at first a 2 or 3 then more and more of them, so we quickened our pace. In the end we had to run as they were running after us, we just about managed to climb the fence. It’s possible they were curious but there were lots of them and if one of us had fallen there was a possibility we’d be trampled. These are big animals, lots of them, running at speed. My friend and I are in our 50s, so not really up for a chase and a pole vault over a gate. At the time it wasn’t funny, it was pretty scary and I’d think twice about crossing a field with cows in again.”
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.
Location: Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. Using the Vale Trail route 9
Status: More than 10 people with no dog
Our reporter stated “The cows started staring at us and snorting and then advanced towards us and surrounding us. They came very close, then another cow started running towards us, but headed off the cows that were surrounding us. It was terrifying. We thought we’d be safe because it was a public walkway printed on the Vale Trail Website on the Councils main website. I reported it to the Vale of Glamorgan Council and asked that they could reroute the walk as I explained the cows were aggressive, it took some time for the council to acknowledge and they explained that the farmer was not getting back to them, they did say that they would warn the public by stating that t the walk includes cattle on the route, I contacted them again to say it was not enough and they said that they had contacted the farmer again and written a letter, but the farmer had not replied. There would have been room to segregate the cows from the public to keep the public safe. Check out www.valeofglamorgan.co.uk and select valetrails route 9
Please! Please! Please! Segregate the cows from the public. Walking the Vale Trails should be safe and a place for walkers to enjoy. The farmer should have placed notices of vulnerable times of the year when cows might have been particularly aggressive/protective, but no warning was provided.”
Location: On Dartmoor above Belstone. On a path used by other walkers going downhill into valley to cross a stream.
Status: A group of 3-5 people with Dog on Lead on PROW
Peter’s story which was reported to Dartmoor Councillors
“We were walking on Dartmoor having entered the moor from Belstone. We passed various cattle without incident. We decided to use a path going down to a valley bottom in order to get back to Belstone. On a very narrow part of the path we were suddenly aware of cattle behind us led by adult cow. We stood aside on bank to let them through, me on the other side of the path from the others. We had no means of escape. The lead cow bellowed and started attacking me with feet and head. I fell in to scrub and then fell over an edge in to an area lower down which probably saved me from serious injury from the cow. My friends screamed at the cows and my partner hit the attacker cow repeatedly with her coat. The cows then turned and went off. I had grazing to my legs under my jeans and bruising I think to my ribs in my back. I managed to walk back to the car at Belstone.”
He adds “Warning signs should be erected, although we couldn’t have predicted the attack and we weren’t being followed by cattle when we took the path going downhill. As it was on Dartmoor I assume the cattle can’t be confined.”
Location: From Thornton le Dale, through Ellerburn, up through Dalby Forest
Status: Two people with no dog on PROW
Bex’s story
“Myself and my daughter were hiking back through Dalby, from the visitor centre, returning on the same route we had hiked in on earlier. We attempted to go through field we had come through, but there were cows with calves all over the path and everywhere, so we hung back to discuss whether we would be safe. I walked in a little way to see if we could pass by beneath trees and bushes, but there were cows and calves under there too, and suddenly one of the calves ran towards us as if to follow, so I returned to my (adult) daughter, and one of the cows started stamping and moving towards us, so we quickly returned to gate and made our way through, and returned the way we had come, back towards Visitor Centre, and made our way back to Thornton le Dale on another route.
It was a scary experience, and I believe the farmer should fence their cows in, as this is a very popular route, and who knows what might happen. I believe we did the right thing, turning around that day.”
Cattle Safety 