Category: good advice

Gentle warning and reminder that cows will be returning to pasture!

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

Keep safe everyone.

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.”

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?

Continue reading “Can We Enjoy a Walk in the Countryside?”

“What do I do if I meet cows on my walk?” Safety Advice from The Ramblers, NFU and The Kennel Club (and what farmer’s are advised to do to keep us safe.)

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.”

  1. Have a look when you reach the edge of the field. Are there any cattle in the field, any cows with calves, horses, or sheep? Cows with calves are the most common cause of problems for walkers.
  2. Keep a good distance from the animals. If they are on the path, then you’re allowed to go off path to walk around them. If you are on open access land, then you can walk across the field to give the animals space.
  3. Walk quickly and quietly. Animals in a field may approach you, especially groups of cows which can be quite intimidating. If you panic, or run from them, they may also start running.
  4. Do not approach any animals, do not feed them, or touch them. Animals on a farm will have strict diets, especially horses, and feeding them can be bad for them.
  5. Leave any gates as you find them. Close any gates that you open, and if any gates are open, then leave them that way.

The National Farmers’ Union & Lake District National Park have issued a joint safety advice reminder.

  • “Cows with calves will be protective of their young so you should avoid getting too close. If you mistakenly do, then please don’t make a run for it, move away slowly. Don’t turn your back on the cattle and don’t make eye contact as they can find this intimidating.”
  • “The countryside code advises that dogs should always be under close control around livestock but if you are feeling threatened by cattle the advice is to drop the lead to allow your dog to run away.”

The Kennel Club: How to keep yourself safe

  • Stop, look and listen before entering a field; be aware of any cattle present
  • Always keep your dog on a short lead around cows and any other farm animals
  • Find the safest route around the farm animals, giving them plenty of space; divert of the marked path if you need to. Never walk between cows and calves.
  • Exit the area calmly and quickly if threatened, releasing your dog to make it easier for you both to reach safety separately.
  • Remember: while you can often see signs telling you to stick to paths and keep dogs on leads around all farm animals, such rules do not apply when you are trying to protect yourself from injury.
  • While picking up your dog may feel like the most natural thing to do when threatened by cattle, this can make you more likely to be injured.
  • Do not hesitate to let your dog off the lead if you are threatened by cattle and take the quickest route out of danger, even if this means not using an official path.

Health and Safety Executive advice for farmers:

  • No dairy bulls should be kept in fields with public access at any time.
  • Where possible, avoid putting cattle, especially cows with calves, in fields with public access.
  • Where there is a need to keep cattle with calves, or a bull in a field with public access, do all that you can to keep animals and people separated. Consider the use of fencing (permanent or temporary eg electric fencing). This is particularly important at busy times, or where access routes are heavily used.
  • Assess the temperament of any cattle before putting them into a field with public access.
  • If cattle, especially cows with calves, do need to be put into fields with public access, keep this period to a minimum.
  • Position feed and water troughs away from public access routes and away from public entrances and exists to the field.
  • Put in place a system to monitor any cattle in fields with public access at least on a daily basis. It may be worth recording this.
  • Consider culling any animal that shows signs of aggression.
  • Any animal that has shown any sign of aggression must not be kept in a field with public access.
  • Clearly sign post all public access routes across the farm. Display signage at all entrances to the field stating what is in the field (cows with calves/bulls).

David Gosling: lessons learned

Be vigilant. Give cattle a wide birth. Provide notices…

On the 20th of August, 2021, I was knocked down and badly injured by cattle, as was my friend Tony. I describe my experience here: David Gosling’s story: knocked down and tramped on

https://killercows.co.uk/2021/11/16/david-goslings-story-knocked-down-and-tramped-on/
Continue reading “David Gosling: lessons learned”

Theresa’s Advice

I know I was lucky to have survived. My advice to others is here…

In June, 2016, I was attacked and injured by cattle. My story was told here: Theresa’s Story: stamped on by a cow .

In April of the same year, a lady was killed in Belford, Northumberland, so I know I was the lucky one. I told my story to the local Tourist Information Centre, the local paper, and the local radio… all in a bid to save lives. Continue reading “Theresa’s Advice”

Frances says: take a big stick with you, and remember to check for cow pats

I pick a stick from a hedgerow, and leave it at the other side of the field

Having grown up in a rural area I was always taught to have a very healthy respect for cattle. We were told never to enter a field of cattle (or horses for that matter) without carrying a decent size stick. Continue reading “Frances says: take a big stick with you, and remember to check for cow pats”

Libby’s advice: how to reduce your risk from cattle.

I was one of those walkers who felt that people who worried about cows were just townies who didn’t understand them,

It’s summer time, we’re still in partial lockdown, and many people are turning to the British countryside for solace and recreation, without realising the risks. Libby’s advice has been published here before, but is worth repeating.

I learnt the hard way.

I was not at all worried about the dangers of being attacked by cattle… before I was trampled and viciously attacked. (Read my story here.)

Until then, I’m afraid to admit I was one of those walkers who felt that people who worried about cows were just townies who didn’t understand them, and I am ashamed to say I thought people who were attacked by cattle had dogs that were worrying the herd, or had done something wrong to spook the herd. Continue reading “Libby’s advice: how to reduce your risk from cattle.”

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!”

The law, cattle injuries, and no-fault compensation.

Injured by cattle? You don’t have to blame the farmer to win compensation.

Richard Brooks is a solicitor with considerable experience in animal-related claims. In this article, he discusses how the law applies to victims who have been injured by cattle ,and explains how you don’t necessarily have to prove the cattle owner was at fault. Continue reading “The law, cattle injuries, and no-fault compensation.”

A Successful Claim: compensation after a serious cattle attack.

Three years ago, Mrs CW was quietly crossing a field with her dog on a lead. A cow first knocked her down from behind, and then subjected her to a terrifying trampling attack.

Mrs CW sustained serious injuries – with multiple fractures – and spent time in intensive care, before starting to learn to walk again. Continue reading “A Successful Claim: compensation after a serious cattle attack.”