Cattle attacks in the news

Jeremy Vine: talking about cattle attacks

We share excerpts from the recent Jeremy Vine radio programme.

On the 21st July, 2023, Jeremy Vine on BBC Radio2 discussed cattle attacks on the public, and interviewed COWS member, Libby James. An animal behavioural scientist gave her views (although these views were unsupported by the evidence from our data base) and another victim of cattle, Sharn Thomas, told her story. Other people contacted the show and related their experiences, including a horse rider whose horse was attacked on a bridleway.

Natural Born Killers, by Siân Boyle

We discuss the recent Sunday Times article. THANK YOU to everbody who had contributed their stories.

The Sunday Times recently published a long piece on cattle attacks by Siân Boyle. The article featured on the front cover of the magazine, had a full 2-page title spread inside, along with 5 pages of information and personal accounts.

Libby talking on PM, Radio 4

Libby talks to Evan Davis on Radio 4

On Monday, 19th of June, one of our members was interviewed by Evan Davis for BBC Radio 4’s PM program. The topic was cow attacks, amid the flurry of interest since the publication of a feature on cattle attacks in the Sunday Times Magazine on Sunday.

Listen to Libby describe what happened to her…

Woman trampled to death by cows

Trampled to death in a field

It is always heartbreaking to report another death. This time, a 55-year-old woman has died after being trampled by cattle at a farm in Sussex.

Sharon Eley: attack and horrific injuries

15 broken ribs, a punctured lung, and nearly strangled.

We were very sorry to hear of the cattle attack that left Sharon Eley with terrible injuries:

15 broken ribs
Punctured lung
Shattered ankle
Broken collarbone
Ligature marks around neck

Walker killed by cattle in the Dales

First reported death this year of a walker killed by cattle in the UK

[We are sad to report the first death this year of a walker killed by cattle in the UK.]

Death in Yorkshire

On the 30th May, a couple of elderly walkers were strolling through a field near Ingleborough, when they were attacked by a herd of cows. Tragically, the man died of his injuries. The woman was severely bruised, but survived.

According to the outdoors magazine ‘Grough‘, the walkers had two small terriers with them. According to other reports, the cows had calves which they may have been protecting. Read the BBC news report of the incident, which was also reported in the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Another death in the time of virus

While hundreds of people are dying every day from this horrible Covid-19 virus, it is easy to forget that the peaceful fields of England can contain hidden dangers too.

As the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions begin to ease, we urge people to be careful, and continue to report cattle attacks to us.

You can read some of our advice for walkers here.

Header photo by Gary Butterfield on Unsplash

Tragic death of an experienced cattle farmer

A tragic example of how even an experienced farmer can come to grief.

We were very sad to learn of yet another death caused by cattle.

According to news reports, David Thomlinson (73) was working on his farm in Cumbria, when he was tragically killed in a ‘farm accident’ on the 8th June. The incident is still being investigated, but it appears the farmer was handling a young calf and was attacked by the calf’s mother.

David was famous as a livestock auctioneer, and was also a very experienced cattle farmer. Although Limousin cattle have a reputation for being rather aggressive, it was a breed he was very familiar with. In fact, David had bred pedigree Limousin cattle on his farm for the past forty years. In addition, he was a former Chairman of the North West Limousin Cattle Breeders Association and had been President of the British Limousin Cattle Society.

His tragic death is an example of how even the most experienced of farmers can come to grief when handling cattle.

We offer our sincere condolences to his family and his colleagues.

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”

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”

Trampling season well under way

The fields have become dangerous places to be.

Spring has sprung and summer is here, and the cows are out in the fields. And so the fields have become dangerous places to be. Here we report three recent cattle attacks. Continue reading “Trampling season well under way”

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”

Another cow attack, in County Durham

Another cow trampling attack on a public footpath.

On the 5th October 2017, just a few weeks ago, Lianne Hutchinson was out walking her dog on a public footpath near Darlington. Suddenly, a cow barged through the fence and attacked her.

Continue reading “Another cow attack, in County Durham”