guidance for farmers – Cattle Safety

Ensuring Safety on a Walking Holiday: Cattle Management

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.

The Way Forward – a message for land occupiers

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?

Effective Fencing Options for Farmers: separating cattle and walkers

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.

Yes – cattle should be respected!

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.

Walkers and Farmers – we can help each other.

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.

“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.”

HSE and cattle attacks

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.

https://killercows.co.uk/health-and-safety-executive-and-cattle-attacks/

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/

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”

Advice for Farmers

Being killed by an animal is the second highest cause of death in farming.

This site is dedicated to walkers who have been injured by cattle, and we’ve received numerous reports of cattle attacks involving people rambling in the countryside. But, it is worth remembering that the group MOST at risk is not walkers, but farmworkers. Continue reading “Advice for Farmers”

Electric wire fencing

Many visitors to our Killer Cows site have suggested the use of electric fencing to keep cattle separated from walkers on a public footpath.

One of our commentators, Martin, has taken the time to create a simple diagram to explain how the fencing could be moved during the day to allow cattle access to the whole field, while still protecting the footpath.
Continue reading “Electric wire fencing”

Killer cows and farmers

Nearly 50% of farmers report having been attacked by cows during calving.

In this article, Libby considers the risk to farmers from their cattle, and summarises the existing guidance.

Cattle: Farmers need to be aware of the dangers

In fact, it seems that they are more at risk than walkers.

From 2000 – 2015 there were 74 fatalities involving cattle recorded by HSE.

Eighteen of these fatal accidents have involved members of the public,
The remaining 56 have been fatal accidents involving farm workers.

Continue reading “Killer cows and farmers”