Injuries – Page 3 – Cattle Safety

Headbutted and jostled by cattle

Report number: 1126

Date of icident: 1/6/25

Location: What 3 words: ///delays.gilding.cooking Public trail that goes through farmland between Barry and Dyffryn Gardens

2 people no dog

Report: “No signage on entrance to the field, the footpath passes through three fields, so by the time you see the bulls it is too late. They immediately ran across the field at us, one appeared to be at the head of them and we had to dodge. I had my 18month old daughter in a backpack and the bulls headbutted me as well as my wife, we shouted at them and tried to hold our ground but they were extremely angry. We were jostled and pushed by around 20 aggressive animals as we made our way to the final stile which was thankfully close. I have heard since that other local people avoid this field for this very reason, and that this farmer is known in the area as disliking people on “his” land, and is certainly being effective at discouraging people from using the public footpath.”

“I am a fit and healthy man, I weigh 220lb and have both boxed and played rugby, the bulls hurt when they hit me, I dread to think what they could do to a child or elderly person.“

“I feel fields with large animals should have a fenced off path around the boundary for walkers to keep people safe.”

2 near misses – frightened walkers following promoted routes, no dogs; they needed to climb over barbed wire fences to get to safety.

Report number: 1113

Date of incident: 22/5/25

Location: Aberaeron to Henfynway walk from Ceredigion 40 coasts and Country Walks by Julian Rollins Page 17 starts with ‘on the far side of field ..I crossed a footbridge across the Ceri and entered the paddock.. this is the field.’

1 person no dog

Report: “I entered the field quietly and saw them grazing a distance away .I took my sunglasses off and walked around the perimeter of field aiming for the exit gate. Before I knew it they all ran towards me I shouted but no avail. I climbed over barbed wire into nettles and branches. I was frightened as I could see I was on a shallow embarkment and if I lost my balance I would fall down a long slope. Getting panicky I phoned a friend who contacted the police ..by this time my phone had died. I waited for the cattle to loose interest and move, which took ages. I struggled to get back over as I was on a slope, there was a big fallen log that I had to roll under, then I used a big branch to climb over the barbed wire and ran to gate. This completely ruined my holiday, there should be big signs warning of potential dangers.“

Report number: 1114

Date of incident: 25/5/25

Location: We were completing the Charlton Viaduct loop from Shepton Mallet and when the incident occurred we were in one of the fields above Wells Road, on Darshill.

2 people no dog

Report: “The cows were pasturing in front of the gate we were supposed to go through. We approached the cows from far away as they noticed us. We were approximately 50 metres away when they saw us. We kept walking in their direction but they suddenly started running towards us. It was between 10-15 cows. Our reaction was to turn around and walk away (towards they direction we came from). When we turned our heads to look at them, they were closer and kept coming toward us and charging us. At that point we realised that the other access was too far and the only option we had was running down hill off path into a bush full of spikes and nettles which resulted in scratches all over. We then reached the main road but had to jump over barbed wire. The injuries resulted from escaping the cattle as the only escape was off the path in a bramble bush. Plus we had to jump over barbed wire to leave the field.”

Killer Cows comment: Walkers should expect a level of safety when following a promoted path. Cattle should be separated from walkers.

Lone walker attacked on the Cornish Coast path

Report Number: 1105

Response ID 314,442,735

Date of incident: 13/05/2025

Lone walker, no dog

Site of incident: Near Cows Beach, South West Coast Path, near Mawnan, Cornwall. What3words location: https://w3w.co/fuzz.paying.connected

Incident report from Robin: I was enjoying the view of the ocean and then became aware of a cow stampeding towards me very aggressively, I put my arms out as it barged into me, I was shoved through barbed wire, rather than being pinned to it and crushed I had no choice but to scramble 10ft down a sheer cliff face full of brambles. I gripped onto roots but most of them gave way. I was stuck as the brambles covered a cliff face full of loose rocks! I was absolutely terrified! The cows stood at the top looking over at me as I struggled. I tried to shoo them away but it didn’t work. I had to perch on a gorse root above 40 foot or more of cliff, I was worried that a cow would fall on top of me. After more than 1 hour they moved slightly on and were distracted by other people walking past on the other side of the field, I then climbed out and escaped, scared that they would charge again.

Comment: I was traumatised, with bruising from being bumped by cow, with cuts from the barbed wire and brambles, mud and slate dust in eyes and a strained back! I think that there should be a fenced off area to prevent the cows walking onto the public footpath!

Helen is attacked in the Malvern Hills AONB

Response ID 311,395,124
Incident number 1062
Date: 23.04.24
Site: Malvern Hills AONB free access area
No dog

Helen’s account: “A single cow was scratching its head on a public seating bench in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) free access area. I assumed it would be docile in an area where people are invited to sit. I went to take a photo of the cow from about 10-15 feet away, and as I pressed the shutter it was upon me and head butted my left arm & ribcage. My arm was thrown, thankfully I remained upright. The cow left me alone after that and I hastily left the field.”

“Subsequently my left ribcage was very painful to lie on. I attended A&E and they diagnosed possible broken ribs and torn ligaments.”

Additional comment by Helen “Later that day I saw other people taking photos of their friends standing by cows, so I’m not the only person who assumed they would be safe in an area of open access and designated AONB.”

Julia didn’t know who to contact about a dangerous cow in Hawkshead

Incident number 1063
Response ID 311,396,400
Public Right of Way: Y
Date: 26.08.24
Site: Hawkshead, Cumbria

Julia Dixon has written this account: “We were walking along a public footpath when my husband was butted by a cow with a calf who approached from the middle of the field. He was pushed into the fence and bruised. The cow also butted the dog who fell over and the cow went to try and crush our dog with its head. My husband kicked the cow to save the dog, and luckily the cow backed off. My husband escaped with minor cuts and bruising.

I wanted to contact the farmer and local people as this is a well used footpath, but I did not know who I needed to contact. The footpath leads directly into Hawkshead Village which is full of tourists in summer.”

Julia adds a list of suggestions that would improve safety (Killer Cows agree with her) –

*Fencing – even electric fences which are portable and very cheap to install and run. We use them for horses.

*Footpaths could be diverted around the edge of the field of the field if necessary where they usually run through the middle.

*Warning on the gate and phone number for farmers.

*Proper recording for incidents with farmers liable.

RA:”I am not against free grazing but following my experience it should have some form of physical barrier.”

Response ID 310,135,319
Report number: 1042

Date of incident: 15.11.24
Site: Burbage Bridge footpath in the Peak District just outside Sheffield

RA’s Report: “A group of four were walking on a damp foggy day, we set off through the gated footpath and immediately saw a cow in the valley below, I immediately put my dog on the lead, the cow stayed where it was. Our group became separated, 2 in front by about 100 meters, I could see the front 2 people were closing in on a group of cows, I now know they walked through the middle of the group of cattle. Our friends were waiting for us just beyond the cattle, we approached slowly with our dog on a short lead and I immediately felt threatened.”

Dreadful attack along the Rochdale Canal

Response ID 308,860,893

Report number 1032

Date of incident: 30/06/23

Location: Alongside the canal at Smithybridge (Hollingworth lake, Rochdale)

Account: “I was dog walking along the canal at Smithybridge. It is a tarmac public footpath, which cars use as a short cut. I had 2 frenchie dogs on leads, not barking. There was one cow half on the path and I was wondering whether to walk behind or turn round and take the 2 mile walk back instead. When I got to approx 5ft from it, it backed up a couple of steps completely blocking the path. When I turned to go back there were approx 8 more behind me. As soon as I turned they started scraping their hooves and mooing. I let go of the dogs, next thing I knew I was knocked (luckily) into a ditch.

I curled up into a fetal ball whilst they circled and tried to stamp on me. The noise was horrendous, I really didn’t think I would survive. Then it went quiet. I was afraid to even look up. I crawled in agony to the cattle grid ( I don’t know the distance but it took me about 30 mins). The dogs were sat waiting. I called a friend to come for me. We took the dogs back to the house and then she took me to hospital. I had 4 fractured ribs, a fractured collar bone and a bust ankle. I stayed overnight but had to look after the dogs, so signed myself out the next day. I called the police to see if they needed it on record…they said no it’s a civil matter.”

She adds “I would like the adverts on tv where there are men/woman stroking cows in a field to stop.”

Cee wants footpaths kept open with electric fencing if cattle are in a field with a footpath.

Response ID 309,769,038

Report number 1040
Date: 8/11/24
Location: imported.perch.cursing Field between long lane and Ennys lane, St Hilary, Cornwall
Cows with calves in the field.

Description: I was walking my dog on a footpath across the field, she was on a lead, she is scared of cows so was pulling away from them. We got herded into the hedge by the cattle and then I got head butted and knocked over. I managed to get out of the field but then realised my phone had been knocked out of my pocket so I had to go back. I tied Kenza up and went to look for it. Unfortunately I was knocked over again and then there was a sustained attack by two or three of them. I really thought my number was up. They were trampling me and head butting. They only stopped when I stopped moving and I eventually managed to crawl to a gateway and escape into another field.”

“I have chipped a tooth, another is very wobbly. I had a nose bleed. I am covered in bruises and can barely walk. This has only just happened so I am not sure of the extent of my injuries.”

Update: Cee has now been assessed at hospital and found to have broken ribs and a broken vertebra as a result of the cow attack – these are significant and serious injuries that will take time to recover from!

Cee would like “warning signs when there are cows with calves in fields with footpaths and footpaths kept open with electric fencing, with fines for farmers who don’t do this.”

“I do think there could be an electric fence particularly when cows with calves are in the field.”

Response ID 309,309,590

Report number 1039

Date of incident: 4/6/92

Location: Easenhall Nr Rugby Warwickshire . Public bridleway. Belgian Blue cows with year old calves in the field.

Report: “My husband and I have walked through this field for many years with our 3 dogs on leads with no problems, our dogs were quiet. This particular day the cows were very noisy and unsettled. They ran down the slope towards us and bowled me over and then l was trampled. My husband managed to drag me away and two of the dogs ran away, one stayed with us.”

“I needed emergency hospital treatment for badly crushed legs and slight concussion. I spent several days in hospital and had treatment over months for ulcerated legs and was off work for 6 months.”

“We informed the farmer and the police and did try for some form of redress but after several months were told as we were fighting the farmers union we had no chance of success and we couldn’t afford to pursue it further. The local paper did a report on this subject. I do think there could be an electric fence particularly when cows with calves are in the field.”

Father’s quality of life severely impacted after a cattle attack nr Chipping Norton

Response ID 308,967,877

Report number: 1036

Date of attack: 15/08/24

Location: Chipping Norton – on a popular public footpath through a field to the left of the London Road as you come into town.

Report: “On 15th August, my 83yr old father was found seriously injured and trampled by cows on a public footpath near Chipping Norton. That accident has fundamentally changed his life. He regularly walked that path through the field by himself as part of his usual 4 mile route. There were sometimes cows in the field – which he simply ignored. On the day of the accident, we don’t know exactly what happened as he doesn’t remember it (nor the following 11 days when he was in hospital). At c. 3.30 in the afternoon he was seen by the farmer’s wife, who sent the farmer out to investigate. It was obvious he was badly hurt, and he was taken to A&E by ambulance. Due to his lack of consciousness and subsequent confusion, I was not called until c. 9.30 that night. When I got to A&E I discovered he had been trampled, resulting in major injuries.”

Another attack by a cow near Belstone

Response ID 308,834,896

Report number 1031

Date of incident: 27/10/24

Location: 2 people walking on the public footpath out of Belstone Cleave back towards Belstone on the top path near Skaigh.

Single cow, Belted Galloway.

Report: “We were walking single file along the narrow path when a single cow suddenly appeared from the undergrowth a couple of feet in front of us. In a split second it had knocked me to the ground and kicked me, my husband then shouted and it turned and head butted him in the chest sending him flying. It all happened in a few seconds, truly terrifying.”

“We suffered bruised ribs, legs and base of spine.”

Valerie suggests warning signs or maybe moving the cows to an enclosed field!

Another Belstone Dartmoor encounter

Incident number: 1018

Response ID: 308,473,978

Date of incident: 19.10.24

Location: On Dartmoor above Belstone. On a path used by other walkers going downhill into valley to cross a stream.

Status: A group of 3-5 people with Dog on Lead on PROW

Peter’s story which was reported to Dartmoor Councillors

“We were walking on Dartmoor having entered the moor from Belstone. We passed various cattle without incident. We decided to use a path going down to a valley bottom in order to get back to Belstone. On a very narrow part of the path we were suddenly aware of cattle behind us led by adult cow. We stood aside on bank to let them through, me on the other side of the path from the others. We had no means of escape. The lead cow bellowed and started attacking me with feet and head. I fell in to scrub and then fell over an edge in to an area lower down which probably saved me from serious injury from the cow. My friends screamed at the cows and my partner hit the attacker cow repeatedly with her coat. The cows then turned and went off. I had grazing to my legs under my jeans and bruising I think to my ribs in my back. I managed to walk back to the car at Belstone.”

He adds “Warning signs should be erected, although we couldn’t have predicted the attack and we weren’t being followed by cattle when we took the path going downhill. As it was on Dartmoor I assume the cattle can’t be confined.”