Cattle Safety

Two incidents same day in North Yorkshire Moors on popular walking routes/ Cleveland Way.

Response ID: 302,416,861

Date: 12/05/24

Location: Two incidents in North Yorkshire Moors on popular walking routes/ Cleveland Way.

Kevins Story:

“The first incident was in a field in Middleton-on-Leven that leads towards the road to Hutton Rudby, near Middlesborough. The second instance was around the Wainstones whilst walking a stretch of the Cleveland Way. The Wainstones are a place of scenic interest and the Cleveland Way is a national walkway.

The Middleton on Leven Cows: I was on the path from Bullister Gill as it meets with Scarth Wood and then emerges at Middleton on Leven. The field is the public walkway that forms the last part of this stretch. I was hiking through to the N.Yorks Moors. I saw the field and that the cows had young with them. I couldn’t see an alternate route. When I entered the field there were some moos, but nothing too severe. Once I dipped out of sight behind the gorse bushes, following the hedgerow to the exit point, the mooing became more alarmed. They weren’t charging, and were cautiously continuing to approach. I hopped the style without further incident.

The second encounter was trivial for myself personally, however the potential risk of harm or injury from cows is definitely above average. From the opposite hill these cows were visually larger than average,. Once the visible ones had grouped, I made my way to the Wainstones without incident. I thought that once up in the stones the cows wouldn’t be likely to handle the steeper terrain. I was wrong! There were huge hoof prints up through the Wainstones and right along the moortop until the next boundary wall, something like a quarter of a mile or more! Given the isolated terrain, the cliff edges and difficult terrain, plus this being a scenic point of interest and a national hiking route, these cows pose a significant risk. I’m uncertain of the breed, but they were twice the size of dairy cows and could handle mountainous terrain like a walk in the park. The calves cleared 50 metres or so in a matter of seconds. And with such a wide roaming area through gates into different boundaries there is few options for escape. Again no incident here for myself, but the risk assessment of the scenario definitely places this area above the average.”

Kevin wants “Balanced laws and public insurance policies by law for farmers, safe and secure boundaries that protect both cattle and people from harm by law, signs of risks of injury or death to humans by law where boundaries would be difficult or where scenic beauty ruined. All maps and apps to include cattle risks by law, no livestock dangerous to humans to be kept on places of scenic interest, national trails, or public rights of way by law, no livestock dangerous to humans to be kept on land more than half a mile from the farm of ownership by law, and farm ownership and contact numbers to be placed visibly clear on risk associated signs at entry and exit points to the walkways and on all cattlefields as rights to access aren’t always easy to discern.”

A herd of cows charged with no warning!

Incident number: 851

Response ID: 302,275,824

Date: 11/05/24

Location: Rigsby, Lincolnshire

We were a group of 6 people walking through a field along designated public footpaths with no dogs. A herd of young cows charged without any warning or being provoked. We managed to get through gate before anyone was injured but here was a high risk that someone could have been killed or seriously injured.

The reporter of this incident said “Where a footpath goes through a field, either cows are not to be kept in the field or the footpath routed around the side of the field with a suitable fence or barrier to protect the walker”

Avoidance seemed the best strategy

Incident number: 848

Response ID: 302,184,681

Date: 09/05/24

Location: Wiltshire- Walking from Barbury castle to Ogbourne St George and then back along the Ridgeway.

One Ridgeway walker recalls : “As my dog (border terrier) and I entered the first field along our route, we saw a group of about 20 cows ahead of us but to the left. I decided to keep our distance and walk tightly along the fence line. My dog was quite interested in the cows and wanted to go in their direction, so she was kept on a very short lead. The cows then noticed us and started walking towards the fence line ahead of us, then towards us. They seemed very curious and like they would keep coming at us if we’d stayed the course. Whilst stood facing the cattle, deciding what to do (should I turn my back? Should I go quickly or slowly? Could I jump over this barbed wire if I had to?) the cow nearest us started tail flicking and snorted- I knew this was not a good thing! So we ended up walking back on ourselves slowly, then far down and across the field out of their sight. Then, on the return leg of the journey, in a different field, the adult cows this time first stopped and stared and then all made a beeline for the gate ahead of us we needed to go through! The whole herd congregated there. I’m not sure if they were expecting it to be opened so they could go through? Again, we had to hike far up and across that field, then probably trespass into some other fields (under an electric fence, over a locked gate) to get back onto the Ridgeway.”

Attack on Offa’s Dyke National Trail

It seems that cattle are getting more and more aggressive. Often you simply cannot walk safely along a public right of way.

Report number: 845

Date of incident: 30/04/24

Site of incident: Grid Ref SO 236 406 on the Offas Dyke path (a national trail) south of Hay-on-Wye

1 person, 1 dog on lead

“I was walking my dog along the Offa’s Dyke Path south of Hay. I walked from Cusop as far as Upper Danyforest where I turned around and retraced my steps.

At around 8:35pm I crossed the footbridge (SO236 406) and entered the field beyond. I saw a group of cattle near the house called Pant Barn. I hadn’t been aware of cattle in the field on my outward journey, but they may have been out of sight behind Pant Barn. The cattle were moving up the field away from me and didn’t pay me any attention so I proceeded along the footpath towards Forest Rd. I had only gone around 100m when a group of 8 cattle broke away from the main group and started charging directly towards me and my dog. I immediately let my dog off his lead and made some noise to try and stop the cattle and shoo them away. The cattle slowed but then started coming very close, bucking and kicking. I was terrified. I gave my dog a command to ‘go to the gate’ and thankfully he did as instructed and ran towards Forest Rd. The cattle followed him charging and bucking and kicking. Meanwhile I ran in the opposite direction back up the hill to the footbridge. I could see my dog had ducked into the stream to avoid the cattle so I recalled him and he joined me on the safety of the bridge. I know that if my dog is scared he won’t always follow commands, around half of the time he’ll come and hide behind my legs instead. If he’d have done that tonight I think there is a very high chance I would have been trampled by the cattle.

Unharmed, but frightened

I have reported this to the Health and Safety Executive, the local authority and Brecon Beacons National Park.

I’d like to add that I’ve lived in the area all my life, I’m a qualified Mountain Leader, I do a lot of walking in the countryside. I like to think I know how to behave around livestock, but recently particularly on the Offa’s Dyke path around Hay it seems that cattle are getting more and more aggressive. Often you simply cannot walk safely along a public right of way. I feel like I had a very near miss with this incident and that it’s only a matter of time before someone is injured or killed. Yet the authorities are powerless to do anything.”

Chased by cows and shocked by fences

Report number: 843

Date of incident: 03/05/24

Site of incident: Grid: SO8176544273 Latlng: 52.09649 -2.2676 Hanley Castle, Hanley Swan, Malvern Hills, Worcestershire, England, WR8 0EE

Family group, 1 dog on lead

“We were walking on a public path, and arrived at a fork with the possibility of taking a public path in a field with no cows or another public path in a field which had cows in it. However the small bridge to the field with no cows was blocked off by a strange, thick coiled line which I thought could be electrified although there were no signs. As some of the cows were feeding and another group was in the far corner of the field I decided we should take this public path as it was tight into the side of the field and relatively short. Unfortunately, two thirds of the way across the cows caught sight of us and began to chase us. We ran and when we arrived at a single line of fence I lifted it for my children to get through only to find it was electrified and got a shock. Again no warning signs were present. After this we managed to get out of the field.

No medical help needed, but frightened and electric shocked

I think there should be warning signs for cows and electric fences and an easier way to seek recourse for incidents such as this.”

Unexpected near miss

Report number: 842

Date of incident: 2/5/24

Site of incident: There is a R.O.W. path through a field between Tanyrallt cottages, Llanllyfni (Caernarfon), which leads down onto Lon Ddwr (by Bro Silyn).

I walk this route most days as our daily dog walk, and the dog is always on a lead. There are signs on the gate warning of the consequences of dogs worrying sheep. Today I got halfway across the rather large field, when the dog starting behaving as if he were afraid, and when I glanced over my shoulder, there were two cows rapidly gaining pace and heading towards us a little too fast. At this stage both myself and the dog were really scared, we tried to walk as quickly and calmly as possible, without running, and feel that we made it to the gate with moments to spare. They were so close at this point that we could have touched them, so I don’t know what their intentions were. An elderly or less fit person may have been in serious trouble, especially due to the lack of warning signs!

No injuries, but both man and dog very frightened.

Daniel’s story: Unprovoked attack, the outcome could have been much worse.

Report number: 841

Date of incident: 30/4/24

Site of incident: One of the fields that sits on Draycott Old Road in Draycott in the Moors, Staffordshire.

1 Person, no dog.

I was out for a walk in my local area as I do every evening. I always use the public footpaths, taking me through a number of fields, one of which can tend to have cattle in it. I have never had any problems in the past, however, last night was different.

After having gone over a stile and walked 5-10 meters from it, I realised there was a cow behind me to my left that was initially hidden by the hedge. This cow immediately moved towards me and got between myself and the stile, so I had nowhere to go.

The cow charged at me, head butting me to the ground before rising up on its hind legs. Luckily I was able to roll out of the way before the cow hit the ground and make for the stile. The cow chased me, so instead of using the stile I had to throw myself head first over an almost 5 foot high gate (this was to the side of the stile), landing flat on my back on hard mud that had been dried out by the sun.

I am without serious injury, just a stiff back, sore chest from the head-butt and slightly sprained wrist. My back and wrist injuries were as a result of front flipping head first over the gate. There was no provocation on my part and I did not have a dog with me—the cow was immediately aggressive and came out of nowhere.

Daniel has a question –

I am unsure what is the best thing to do after this attack. I am concerned that if I were smaller, slower or weaker than myself I would’ve been seriously hurt, and I would like to do whatever I can to stop that from happening in this particular field.

Killer Cows comment –

We agree, this situation could have resulted in far worse injuries if someone was not as quick to escape that field. We strongly advise everyone who has had a near miss or minor injury to report the incident to the Health and Safety Executive, they handle deaths and serious injuries and also those occasions where a potentially more lethal outcome could have occurred – and we know (unfortunately) that any attack by a cow is potentially extremely dangerous. https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm

A farmers perspective on cattle and walkers

Recently a farmer emailed our group and we felt that he had some useful discussion points that we could empathise with and wanted to share some of his thoughts. Obviously we don’t agree with all of the points but here starts the dialogue. We have always been up for collaboration in our quest to keep people safe.

The following words in italics are the farmers words…….

“I read the article in the Daily Mail on Thursday and there lies your problem!!!! In that sensational reporting makes the countryside sound like a no-go zone!!!!

What you need to clearly understand Cows are absolutely no different to us humans they protect their young and that’s completely understandable. Dogs are the main threat as many are not used to livestock and sadly many dog owners have no idea on what to do when in the same field as livestock and that includes sheep. Also you must remember you’re on their patch, try getting close to a seagull’s nest this spring and you will understand what I mean.
I walked the whole South West Coastal Path recently and that’s 630 miles mainly in open fields with often all types of livestock with absolutely no issues. Yes I understand livestock I hear you say and your correct I do but the Cows don’t know that! Also I didn’t have a dog. I’m NOT saying dogs should not be welcomed into the countryside but owners need to understand how Cows think.

I have read your 3 aims,
1. Cattle to be separated from walkers – Not a chance and completely unrealistic. Farmers struggle to afford the maintenance of their farms thanks to the pittance they receive from those Greedy Supermarkets.
Also you seem to think electric fence is the answer again not a chance the cost would be huge and why should we have to do this on our land?
Footpath waking does not earn us any income it damages our fields and fences through unresponsible people.
2. Compulsory Insurance for all farmers who keep livestock – I expect a lot of livestock farmers are insured but remember you are entering a field on your choice we aren’t inviting you!!
3. A central database to report all attacks – Well you website probably achieves that. Don’t think the Government will help as they can’t even sort the illegal immigrants out can they?

Please get good advice from people who actually understand cattle and that’s definitely NOT DEFRA bless them, not a clue.
Farmers are actually really nice people and can offer great advice so talk to them and respect their land and animals. It’s very tough farming and it’s getting tougher trust me we really don’t need all this grief we seem to get as it really does not help us want to welcome the public onto our land – and remember it’s your choice not your right so try respecting our lovely countryside. Learn the country code and pick up after your dog and for goodness sake don’t leave your Poo Bag hanging on our hedges!!!!!!!!!!”

We think the following points:

Thank you for contacting us and we would value any advice that farmers could give us and other walkers. Perhaps provide us with a big list of dos and don’ts???? What to do ifs?????
Only 50% of the over 835 reports of cattle attacks on our database involved dogs so they are NOT the only risk here, however, we do acknowledge that they COULD upset cattle.
We totally empathise with famers’ financial constraints and understand that fencing off/ moving cows and calves/ using electric fencing is expensive, and would welcome any ideas of compromise because most of our footpaths are public rights of way and landowners have a legal duty of care to minimise any risk to people passing through them. HSE states that they should take all reasonably practical safety measures to protect the public.
Farmers especially not the big landowners have a tough time of it and this is not made easier for them by irresponsible walkers who allow dogs to worry their animals and their foolishness to destroy their land but we all need to work together to keep ourselves safe.
Not all farmers have insurance and what will happen if their cows cause an accident – the person who is harmed will have no financial assistance so we stand by the insurance argument, however, the general public could take out their own insurance which is relatively inexpensive to protect themselves in addition.

On the Bures Dragon hiking loop. Jennifer and her friend remained calm

Incident number: 838

Response ID: 301,224,274

Date: 13.04.24

Location: Bures, Suffolk. Between Smallbridge and Bures Road on the St Stephen’s Chapel, Bures Dragon hiking loop.

Jennifer said that two of them had been walking in the above location with no dog. In her words.

“Cows came quickly over from the other side of the field, surrounded us coming very close and were clearly agitated – they started to paw the ground. At this point we calmly turned around and walked to the gate we had entered by. (had we not been able to do this I believe we would have been injured.) We ‘done’ all the right things – no sudden noise or movements and we stayed next to the fence line whilst walking.”

Jennifer wants “Clear signs ‘ not to enter’ or where possible, an alternative route provided by farmer so no one gets hurt or scared ( including the animals)”

Can We Enjoy a Walk in the Countryside?

You may have heard Adrian Chiles’s radio programme discussing the safety of walking through fields of cattle, if not then head this way – Adrian Chiles – 04/04/2024 – BBC Sounds . Neither the animal behaviourist nor the representative from the NFU on the programme arrived at any conclusions about how we should behave to avoid being attacked by cows. So we ask the question – can we enjoy a walk in the countryside?

This all began because we love walking in our beautiful countryside – and it’s good for us.

The benefits of walking

Natural England has updated the Countryside Code, recognising the significant health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature. These benefits are important. England and Wales are blessed with a wonderful network of footpaths, allowing everyone access to our countryside so they can enjoy the benefits to both mind and body that walking in natural surroundings can bring.

But: Killer Cows have received over 800 reports of incidents in the countryside, these are from walkers who have either felt scared or been chased by cattle or, even worse, sustained injuries from cattle – some very severe. Many have been so affected they no longer feel safe enough to walk in the country and so have lost any benefit access to the countryside gave them.

So what do people suggest to do to keep safe?

Alison’s horrific incident that still affects her deeply

Incident number: 835

Response ID: 300,776,430

Date: 11/08/2015

Location: Hartsop near Patterdale in the Lake District

In her own words ……..

“It was the first day or our holiday. My husband had gone cycling. My brother and I were walking through a field with cows in the distance, I put the dog on the lead because I didn’t want him to chase them. (he didn’t usually but I was being cautious.) A few minutes later I noticed that the cows had come closer and the next thing I knew I was being headbutted in my chest and trampled. I just remember thinking that this couldn’t really be happening and that it really hurt!. I managed to stagger up but they butted me again. I have no idea if it was one to two who were attacking me.

I covered by face and my brother managed to grab me and pull me to safety. It was probably all over in a few minutes but felt like forever. At no point did I think I wasn’t going to make it, survival instinct kicked in. We had no mobile reception so my brother left me to find a phone. Other people arrived and tried to help. I was really struggling to breathe but was pretty numb and shocked.

The air ambulance took me to Preston where I was diagnosed with 2 collapsed lungs, multiple broken ribs, a big laceration on my right knee which required operating on, a broken hand which required an operation and pins, a broken collar bone and horrendous bruises all over my body and my face in particular. I was in hospital for 10 days with 2 operations on my knee and hand. I also received physio for weeks after and psychological help because I was diagnosed with PST and even now, just a photo of a cow makes my stomach churn.”

Fast forward to today and Alison is understandably still very cautious.

She says several things “I would like better signage but sometimes signs say that there are cows with calves in fields but they don’t offer an alternative route. My friend and I take so many “cow avoidance routes” probably climbing fences we shouldn’t just to get away from them. We had another experience recently where we had no way out and had to clamber through streams and woodlands to get out of harm’s way. This time the cows were so inquisitive but who knew what was likely to happen. I would like better advice on what to do, some say wave your arms, some say don’t, keep dog on lead or not, I sometimes think farmers put cows in fields to stop you walking through!!”

A charge that could have been very nasty

Incident number: 831

Response ID: 300,626,483

Date: 30/03/24

Location: Llanfwrog, Anglesey. Here is a precise what3words address branch.starlight.hillsides

Gary and his wife were walking on a public right of way in the location above with their small dog on a lead when they came upon a single cow with a farmer.

In his words “The cow had given birth overnight and the farmer had the calf on his quad bike and was using it to get the cow to follow him up the road. We had nowhere to go and it saw our dog and charged her taking me and my wife out in the process. A few cuts and bruises but it could have been a lot worse.”

They were understandably very scared and didn’t know who to inform although we have contacted them and suggested they contact the Health and Safety executive.