Injuries – Cattle Safety

Bennar near Barmouth – A very near miss…….

Incident number: 1263

Response ID: 329,826,913

Date of incident: 14.06.26

Location: Welsh Coastal Path. Farm at Bennar, north of Barmouth.

(What3Words: ///scrubbing.amused.cubed)

Status: Lone walker with dog on lead on PRoW

Martin’s story

“I was walking the Wales Coastal Path. I was on a public footpath near Bennar, heading towards Barmouth, when I encountered an enormous field with a herd of about 10 cows. The cows were calmly lying on the ground in the middle of the field, all together. I did not think they would be a problem since there was a lot free space to walk around them. As I usually would, I started walking slowly as close to the stone fence as I could, at a steady pace, heading for the opposite gate; the usual common sense and walking etuiquette. There wasn’t anything alarming about the herd at that stage, and the cows clearly saw me coming from the distance. However, as I was just about to pass them, and this was still at good 40-50 meters away from the herd, they all suddendly got up and started running. At first, they ran away from me. I stopped for a minute, giving the herd space and calculating my next movements, which were limited because the field was surrounded by barbed wire. However, as soon as I made another step, the herd came charging at me from a distance, at full speed. They got within 5-10 meters of me and 2 of the cows started bucking into the air, and directing their hooves at me, attempting to kick me. I had no other choice but to throw myself over the barbed wire, suffering some cuts on my arm. The only other alternative was to be trampled to death. Once over the fence, shaking and full of adrenaline, I started treading the bogs on the other side, falling knee-deep into concealed mud, and nearly breaking my ankles several times over a distance of about 1/8th of a mile. Most worringly, the cows wouldn’t let go. They followed me along the fence, watching my every step, bucking and stomping their ground. I am an experienced walker, and a male in my late 30s. I run and exercise regularly. I believe my fitness level was the only thing that saved my life that day. It also made me very anxious about my personal safety on the remainder of the path, and cast a serious doubt on whether I would be able to relax and enjoy my walks going forwards. I really hope no one else attempted to pass that field that day, and if anyone did – that they were safe.”

Martin adds

“I believe every field with cattle on a public right of way should have a contact number at the gate to the farm who owns the animals so that if they become aggresive you could call the farmer to report the incident and ask for help.”

Cows used our dog as a football

Report 1256 Response ID 329,756,083 17/5/26 2 people and dogs Location: Staplehay, Trull Somerset, Spearcey Farm

SW’s report: It’s a public footpath with 2 adjoining fields, with a river on one side, which the cows also access regularly. As we entered the second field we immediately noticed that there were 2 or 3 calves with the 20 or so cows (the bull we noticed later). Within 10 m of entering the field the cows started running towards us so we immediately let off the dogs. Unfortunately one is slightly geriatric and a little unaware of her surrounding, so she trotted 3-5 meters from the path at which point she was immediately charged. The cows then surrounded her and started to use her as a football, basically taking turns to butt and try to stamp her. We of course were terrified and tried to make some noise and scare them off of her, to little or no avail.

Family attacked

Report number: 1240 Date 9/5/26 Location: Newlyns Farm field, Lodge Farm Odiham, Hampshire

Bec’s Report: “2 children (8y and 14y) along with their Aunt and dog entered field through kissing gate coming from the canal tow path into field. Aunt holds onto dog collar as the dog owner (my father 73) and myself are a few metres behind them. The first group (children, Aunt, dog) walk along footpath into field, myself and father enter field some seconds later approx 10-15 metres behind. By the time the first group reaches a bridge crossing the stream at the middle of the field one cow begins to bellow and the children become scared. Aunt and dog stop to wait for my father who has the dog lead as aunt is currently walking hunched over holding the dogs collar. I walk faster to catch up with my children, we walk together towards gate at opposite side of field quickly but not running. As we are walking away from my father, Aunt and dog we continue to hear bellowing of the cow and I see it is moving towards them. There are many cows and calves in the field, at least 20 I think, maybe more. Many cows are slowly advancing towards us but one particular big brown cow (the one who is bellowing) circles around and charges at my father who is now holding onto the dog collar and trying to put lead on.”

Dog walker knocked over and dog injured by cows

Report: 1239
Date: 12/5/26

Location:Birdswood Farm,145 Sleetmoor Lane, Somercotes, Derbyshire, DE55 1RE – public footpath that runs through the farm land leading to Leamoor Avenue

Report: “As I was walking along the public footpath with my two dogs on leads, the cows came towards us, pushed me over and then chased one of my dogs. I dropped the dogs leads as I fell, one of my dogs ran off out of the field and the other dog got chased and caught under the feet of the herd of cows. When I got up, I tried to get my dog to come back but the cows were still chasing him. My dog was clearly injured and managed to limp to me, we left the field immediately. My dog sustained significant injuries and is currently being treated at the vets. I have tried to contact the farmer but he has not answered my calls.”

Trampling Incident involving serious injuries In Dorset. (Near Morden)

Incident number: 1215

Response ID: 318,377,455

Date of incident: 6.11.25

Location: Near Morden, Dorset, (WTW ref is chuckling.pounces.pianists)

Status: Between 3 to 5 people with dogs on lead on PROW

Michael’s story

“We were on the public bridleway that crosses the field onto Wareham heath. Cattle and calves were about 50 meters away and peaceful. Two dogs with us were quiet and on leads. It is a path we have walked many times. Suddenly a single cow left the group and began trotting towards us. We hurried to reach a gate onto the heath but the cow started galloping and slammed straight into me, knocking me down and partly trampling my back and legs. The others in my group managed to avoid being attacked.”

Michael went to A and E. He has severe ligament damage to leg, severe bruising to muscles in leg, back and shoulder. Fortunately the other members and the dogs were not harmed.

Michael adds

“The farmer contacted me next day and was very apologetic, also said he was “surprised” by the incident. He said he immediately moved all the cattle from the field and confined the offending cow inside a barn, promising that it would never be put in a field with a footpath again. (He was able to identify which animal did it, as he only had two of the Hereford crosses among a field containing mainly mixed breed beef cattle.) In an ideal world all cattle should be separated from humans and dogs by means of electric fencing on public rights of way, but I recognise the practical limitations of making this a 100% rule.”

Leaping over a stile to escape cattle on Oxfordshire

Incident number: 1209

Response ID: 317,262,717

Date of incident: 15.10.25

Location: Between East Hagbourne and Blewbury in Oxfordshire (What 3 words ///gala.flopped.charities)

Status: Lone walker with dog on lead on PROW

Helen’s story

“I needed to cross the field to get home… no close alternative route. I walked with the dog on the lead on the public footpath and the cows started walking towards me. I stayed calm and tried to make my self big and loud, they stopped. This went on a few times and then they all started running at me. I let the dog off the lead and ran to the stile behind me. I had my foot on the first step when they reached me so I had to launch myself head first over the other side so not to hit by them. I injured my face, bruising to my nose, grazes on my forehead, small cuts on my hands and have a significant bruise on my inner thigh. My thigh is very painful so I will possibly have to attend minor injuries just to rule out any hairline fractures. Very shaken and upset afterwards. Took a long time to walk home with injury.”

She adds “A separate footpath. I have seen many people running from cattle in this field and it’s a real danger.”

How these people were not more seriously hurt is a miracle!

Incident number: 1207

Response ID: 317,241,171

Date of incident: 14.10.25

Location: West Calais Hill, Canterbury. (What 3 words Utensil.strapping.definite)

Status: Two people with dogs on leads

Our reporter’s story

“The cows spotted us across the field and came at reasonable pace towards us, we gave them a wide berth with the dogs on short leashes, and as we funnelled to access the gate to exit the field a cow behind me pushed me to the ground, face first, and the group proceeded to trample me and my dog. I let go of the dog, he escaped to the next field. I proceeded to be thrown about under the herd, the ground was wet so I was sliding across the floor keeping myself face down. My brother sent his dog to the next field and pushed himself into the trampling cows to get them off of me, they retreated.”

“ I experienced many bruises to limbs and back from kicking, and a lot of blood, facial swelling, nose trauma and broken lip, bruised ribs. The dog was stomped on but is not currently showing any signs of injury, he is being monitored closely.”

They add “The farmer owns many alternate non public access fields, it would be reasonable for the use of public access fields to be a last resort. More apparent warnings that cattle are present. Water troughs to be far from public access gates. Alternative means of escape, as we got stuck after the attack in a small gated area between two adjacent herds. And ideally an apparent method of contact in the case of an emergency.”

Coast to coast walk with cow out of control and three people hurt

Incident number: 1204

Response ID: 317,027,670

Date of incident: 29.09.25

Location: The coast to coast main walking route 1 mile west of Reeth, North Yorks.

Status: A large group of between 6 and 10 people with no dog on main PROW

Coast to Coast Path near Reeth report

“This is the main and very popular coast to coast trail which we were walking west to east.

We had reached Healaugh and the farm adjoining the path: the brown heifer was by the passenger window of the farm jeep, so close that one in our party commented “after food”. The cow spun around, snorted and charged head-down the front three of our party, knocking over all, before wheeling around and charging a fourth who was by the dry stone wall, with a glancing blow. The driver/farm hand had by now descended the jeep and the cow was brought to a standstill only some 5 yards away, still clearly agitated. One female was bruised fairly heavily in the shin area by the cow’s hooves.

The incident came as a shock to us, chiefly because there were no calves involved, nor any dog. “

Update from reporter “I had returned to work but other walkers remained on the coast to coast walk . Apparently, the farmer caught up with them on the path leaving Reeth the next morning: apologies were profuse; allegedly, the cow took 6 hours to move, a vet was called, it may have had Grass Staggers syndrome, he hoped it would have died and he attended the same Richmond school where the deputy head tragically lost his life to cows. Also, the incident wasn’t actually on his land and he has signs up on his clearly marking an alternative non-cattle route for walkers.”

Significant cuts and bruises and a visit to A and E after cattle charged on two castles walk near Sherborne Dorset

Incident number: 1201

Response ID: 316,811,621

Date of incident: 17.09.25

Location: Near Sherborne Dorset (grid ref ST 661 176 on walk 582 (Two Castles) on the walking world website at waypoint 14)

Status: Couple with no dog on PROW

Paul’s story

“The cattle were grazing about 100 yards right of us as we entered the field via a kissing gate. We were very cautious quiet and non-threatening by walking further from them to the left of the path. The lead animal spotted us and started strolling purposefully in our direction followed by the rest c20/30 of them. They gathered pace and it became obvious they were running our way so we ran towards the barbed wire fence on our right. By this time the whole herd were upon us with one animal jumping in the air with its legs outstretched! I cleared the fence but had to literally drag my wife to safety. We could see an open gate about 30 yards along this fence where the cattle started heading so they could run around and attack us in the field we’d just escaped into. Fortunately there was another closed gate into another field slightly further on and we managed to get there before them. I managed to bundle my wife over this gate to safety. The cattle gathered aggressively on the other side of this gate as we got over it. My wife sustained significant cuts and bruises to both legs and we ended up in Yeovil A&E where she got a tetanus booster. As we walked away from the incident we stopped a farm worker in an adjacent field to report this incident. He stated that “cattle don’t charge” and that other walkers had passed across safely that day. He did however promise to report the incident to his boss. We told him that there was a significant danger to safety and it could result in a fatality but he said we should have just shouted at the cattle and they’d have stopped. This is in my view very high risk advice since if they don’t stop you’d be trampled to death!”

Paul adds “There were probably other fields these cattle could have grazed. That should be considered. Also warning signs!”

Man trampled by cow in Belper Derbyshire

Incident number: 1200

Response ID: 316,758,760

Date of incident: 08.09.25

Location: Belper Derbyshire DE56 2RD. The field was off Wirksworth road/old derby road

Status: Two people with dog on lead on PROW

Natalie’s story: “We followed the footpath through the field with two dogs on the leads. A calf approached us and the mum cow became agitated and making a noise. We slowly and calmly gave it a wide berth but it wouldn’t let us past. The cow approached aggressively, I managed to dodge and my partner told me to let go of the dog which I did. The dog didn’t run and neither dogs were barking. The cow ran at the dog and headbutted her into the air. My partner tried to kick the dog out the way and the cow tossed him in the air and trampled him. He managed to get up and we calmly walked back the way we came and the cow didn’t follow. We were met at the gate by another farmer who witnessed it.

He told us he has seen it numerous times and those cows should not be in the field as they are dangerous. They have previously been reported but apparently the farmer who owns them doesn’t care and does not like people walking through his field despite it being a public footpath.”

Natalie’s partner suffered a severely broken foot resulting in four days in hospital and one operation so far. The dog was unharmed but obviously badly shook up.

She adds “We are keen hikers and we have been told he is likely to suffer pain for life. I believe the farmer should be held accountable and prosecuted. Cows should only be kept in fields with no public footpaths.”

Runner hurt in a field in Lancashire felt lucky as it could have been a lot worse

Incident number: 1198

Response ID: 316,747,398

Date of incident: 12.09.25

Location: Near Eccleston, River Yarrow (what 3 words ///corner.stated.twist)

Status: Lone runner with dog off lead on PROW

RT’s account “I was running through the field with my dog off the lead. My dog ran off well away from the cows, a few followed the dog and a few cows chased me. I was trying to shoo them away but it didn’t make any impact. One then head butted me and pinned me against a barbed wire fence, repeatedly head butting me. I punched it on the eye which gave me a moment to scramble over the fence. They continued to follow me around the edge of the field while I tried to retrieve my dog. My legs, hand and arm were badly punctured and scratched and my other leg bruised from the cows head. Luckily I was agile enough to get away, I fear that other people might not be so lucky.”

They added “I fear for anyone else walking through this field, the cows seemed very aggressive rather than playful.”

Experienced lady walker trampled on Pennine Way

Incident number: 1189

Response ID: 316,492,620

Date of incident: 24.08.25

Location: On the Pennine Way between Tan Hill Inn and Keld. (Grid ref NY 888, 036 what3words:///slant.nicely.drama)

Status: Group of between 3 and 5 people with dogs on lead on PRoW

Abi’s story

“On Sunday 24th August I was charged at and trampled by a herd of cows at this location. I believe that these particular cows are a danger to the public. I am an experienced mountain leader and regularly lead group walks, including this 11-mile circular route from Keld. I have encountered cattle on numerous occasions with and without dogs and always managed to have a safe experience. On Sunday I was with 4 clients, 1 of which had a collie dog with her, and I had two springer spaniels with me. All three dogs are very calm and quiet. We were heading South on the Pennine Way from Tan Hill Inn towards Keld and as we were walking we were passed other walkers coming North towards us. The last few groups of people warned us of some aggressive cows at the gate ahead. When I checked the map I realised this was approx a km away and I said I would stay vigilant and proceed with caution. We made sure our dogs were on lead and continued with carefully. As we got within sight of the cows we saw a couple come through the gate and pass through the cows with no issue, so continued on the path slowly another 100m, checking for alternative route. As we got closer I realised the cows had noticed us and were watching our movement (and mostly our dogs). We were still about hundred metres away, so I suggested heading uphill towards a hole in the wall instead of going through the gate ahead. We continued slowly at a 45 degree angle to the cows aiming for our escape route, but the cows started to trot towards us. I was ahead with my dogs while the others were behind us a little further back. I stopped and the cows stopped trotting, but had now got a lot closer. I decided to take another couple steps towards the wall, but as I did the cows came towards me, breathing heavily, so I stopped. I said “woah” to calm them and reassure them, but two of them put their heads down and charged, the others followed and I was thrown through the air onto my back and trampled. At some point during this I released the dogs who ran away. I managed to turn to protect my body (I had a big backpack on which shield my back), but I feared for my life. The other people with me distracted the cows by shouting at them to stop, which made the cows back off and I was able to get up with only some bruising. The lady with her collie then picked up her dog and headed for the gate as this was now clear. My dogs followed her and they managed to escape. The cows looked to charge at me again, causing me to trip over, but then followed the dogs to the gate and I was able to get up and lead everyone else to climb through the hole in the wall to join our friend on the other side of the wall. I realise that having the dogs meant we were more at risk, but other people passing us and warning us hadn’t had dogs and still felt threatened by this cattle herd. We did not startle them or aggravate them and we attempted to take a wide berth. At no point on the whole walk did we see any sign warning of cattle ahead.”

Abi has reported this to the HSE and adds “I would like these cattle to be fenced away from the public right of way. A warning sign wasn’t present, but wouldn’t have been enough. I believe I would have been very seriously injured had I been alone.”