We all have a right to walk safely along footpaths, and we can’t predict which cattle will be aggressive.
Walking holidays in the UK are great for several reasons:
There are so many different areas to discover. Our countryside is beautiful and very diverse.
We can get there without jumping on a plane – that makes me happy as I hate the palaver of flying, getting to the airport early, queuing through security, waiting with hundreds of others etc….. Also, I am trying to not take flights to keep my carbon footprint down.
We have a fantastic network of public footpaths, and bridleways, across England and Wales, giving walkers access to some stunning locations.
We know that spending our money locally helps our economy.
This is an article that was published in Farmers Weekly and written by one of COWS members, Dr Jerry Alderson, who was asked to write it after appearing on a Farmers Weekly podcast.
Imagine this. You are in your local town, about to use a footpath across a patch of grass which you have used many times before. At the path entrance is a new sign stating ‘DANGER’. There is no explanation. The path was never signposted. Neither has it been closed. No alternative route is offered. What would you do?
We discuss how to safely accommodate walkers where public rights of way cross cattle-grazed fields. We emphasise the importance of separating cattle and people, explore fencing options, highlight the advantages and limitations of electric fencing, and suggest how farmers can avoid unnecessary expense.
How can walkers be safely accommodated where cattle graze on fields crossed by public rights of way (PROWs)? Read our summary, or download our full briefing letter for farmers / landowners.
Cattle have been housed inside over the winter months so have been absent from our walks. In the spring when the weather gets warmer the grass starts to grow and the cattle can go back out into the fields. After the cattle have been housed indoors for a few months they are very excited about being allowed back out in the field so they run around doing laps of the field kicking their legs in the air.
So a reminder that your regular walks may now have cattle in the fields so be vigilant.
Also, like us (or not!!), they may be frisky in the Spring and exited to get back outside. They are large animals and unpredictable, so again be wary.
Spring also means calves which, although cute means that their mothers will be protective so keep clear and be wary
We should respect cattle – the fields are their home. But how do we do this when a public right of way exists?
Written by one of Killer Cows Team.
A recent television programme on ITV infuriated one of our reporters as we were told we should “respect cattle, the field is after all, their home”. The suggestion being that walkers were doing something wrong when they walk across fields.
Location: Alhambra Creek Staging area of Briones in East Bay Regional Park in California (The East Bay)
Status: Loan walker no dog on PRW
Mary’s story
“A calf started after me after he was butting heads with his buddy. He decided to do it to me. This has happened frequently with adult cows as well. The cows get all over my path, the fire road, as well as the field where they graze. I therefore have no other place to walk. I go slowly but they don’t care and they charge. The cattleman does not manage his animals at all!”
Mary wanted to warn us of potential US dangers – but cows are cows which ever country you go to – so be careful wherever you travel!
We all know that feeling, looking at a map of an unfamiliar area, trying to plan a route. Walkers enjoy the freedom that access to our footpath network gives them; most walkers are careful to respect the farmer’s land and often help keeping the footpaths clear, they can notify farmers if livestock are lose or look ill. Well tended farms with farmers following HSE guidelines help walkers. We all get to enjoy our beautiful countryside.
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.”
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)”
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.
A few of our reports have had people say they were unsure of what they should be doing if they meet cattle on their walks – so Killer Cows has had a look at the latest posts from these Organisations and listed them. We are not saying doing this will keep you safe – we’re saying this is what they are telling us.
Happy walking.
The Ramblers states cheerfully: “Whatever animals may be in the field, follow our top tips and you’ll be unlikely to run into any issues.”
Please report any cattle incidents to the Health and Safety Executive. They have the ability to investigate and can instruct the farmer to take action.
Cattle Safety 