Blog

Dog trampled and walkers injured

The dog was very badly bruised and lucky to be alive.

On the 9th of June, a group of four of us were walking along a footpath from Rockford Common car park (Ringwood, Hampshire). The path runs parallel to the road, and we were heading towards Linwood. We had a dog on a lead.

We spotted a group of brown cows and waited for them to cross the path. We the proceeded to go down the path. Continue reading “Dog trampled and walkers injured”

A cautionary tale from Ireland

Irish farmer, Dominic Leonard, suffered serious head injuries.

When Irish farmer, Dominic Leonard, was crushed by one of his cows, he suffered serious head injuries. In a video he describes the attack, the aftermath of his injuries, and the effect it had on him and his family. Continue reading “A cautionary tale from Ireland”

Suggestions to improve footpath safety

There is often a bad’un in a herd and she is a catalyst for the others.

Cindy recently told us her story following a cattle attack:  Surrounded and trampled by cows. She offers some further thoughts and suggestions below. 


A friend sent me the link to your site and I submitted my story as a way of ‘letting off steam’ as I felt aggrieved, and I am very happy that my story is used on your site.

I have been appalled to discover the number of attacks that have occurred over the years. I was utterly amazed at the number of cow attacks (as opposed to bulls who actually carry the stigma) once I started googling the subject, and quite a few people I have spoken to have been able to relate experiences of ‘close shaves’. Continue reading “Suggestions to improve footpath safety”

Surrounded and trampled by cows

I ended up on the ground, being trampled under the hooves of 10 or 15 cows.

Cindy’s story

On the 30th September this year, I was walking on a public footpath in Cornwall, on a circular route from Millook, near Bude, through Trebarfoote Farm, which is where the incident happened. Continue reading “Surrounded and trampled by cows”

Chased out of the field!

One particular cow made straight for us.

This September, the two of us were walking on a footpath in the Derbyshire Dales near Throwley Hall, with our dog on a lead.

There were some cows in the field. They were light brown and tan coloured, some a rust colour – possibly Guernsey, although I’m not sure. We are used to livestock and were giving the cows a wide berth so as not to split the herd.

One particular cow made straight for us and came towards our dog, calling very loudly. The rest of the herd began to move towards us too.

My partner shouted at the ‘main’ cow and waved his hands. It turned away momentarily, before turning back and suddenly rushing at my partner. He dropped our dog’s lead and the dog ran off, pursued by the herd.

These cattle were extremely agitated and even after retrieving our dog and getting out of the field, they pursued us to the gate.

I’ve reported the incident to the local authority but, as far as I’m aware, they’re not investigating it further.

A walk spoiled, on the Isle of Wight

Nearly forced to turn back.

John’s story is a reminder that encounters with cattle can be frightening, particularly when unexpected, and can spoil our enjoyment of the countryside.


 

In September of this year, I was walking with my wife along the Isle of Wight Coast Path. We were about a mile west of Bouldnor Copse on the north coast of the island, and there was a diversion on the coast path.

Unfortunately, along the diversion were cattle, and they were protecting a calf.

We were badly frightened and nearly forced to turn back, but a young man was working with a tractor nearby, and he came over and kept the cows away while we went though the field.


 

 

Close escape: chased across a river!

I discovered the rest of the herd were right behind me.

On the 23rd September, 2018, I was walking along a public right-of-way near Wolsingham, County Durham. I was on my own, and didn’t have a dog with me.

I noticed there were cows in the field, but they were in the far corner, so I wasn’t concerned. I crossed a river using stepping stones put there for this purpose, and found a lone cow on the other side. It was standing by the gate out of the field, and it wouldn’t move. Continue reading “Close escape: chased across a river!”

Carolyn’s Story: another cow attack in the New Forest

The cow put its horns either side of me – and launched me onto the heath land.

What happened?

In February 2018, I was walking my dog in the New Forest, in Dibden Purlieu, near to the Heath roundabout.

I was walking along the path with my dog walking to heel, when I saw some cows quite a distance away from me. They were small, with really long horns, and looked like Highland Cattle. They were just quietly grazing, and I didn’t feel concerned.

One of the cows seemed to make eye contact with me, came towards me from quite a distance, and started running at me. I turned to go back the way I came to try to avoid it, but next thing it was right up behind me. Continue reading “Carolyn’s Story: another cow attack in the New Forest”

New Forest: cow tramples woman

Serious injuries and no laughing matter.

A few weeks ago, Della White and her husband Michael were walking their dogs near their home in the New Forest.

“We saw a white cow with horns and her calf,” her husband told reporters. “I called our two sheepdogs close and my wife put our other dog on a lead. Suddenly I heard my wife shout behind me.” Continue reading “New Forest: cow tramples woman”

Angry cow on the Wales Coast Path

I waved my arms and roared loudly as the cow bore down on us.

My girlfriend, my dog and I were walking along the Wales Coast Path, on the Llyn Peninsula, in June 2018. We passed through a turnstile to find a herd of cows with calves. We proceeded to pass quietly along the path with our dog, aged 8, who has walked in the country with us all his life and never bothers with cattle, horses or sheep.

Keeping an eye on the cattle, I noticed one of the mothers getting agitated and starting to make a noise. She was at least 10 metres away, and she started to stamp and run at myself and our dog. Continue reading “Angry cow on the Wales Coast Path”