Near-miss Stories – Page 13

Stone circle visit abruptly ended by a herd of cows

Incident number: 777

Response number: 290,254,769

28^th August 2023

Glandy Cross (Wales)

My husband and I were looking at the ancient stone circle at Glandy Cross without a dog. There were cows two fields away. One was looking at us and was mooing loudly. I got caught up in looking at the stones and was behind a bush. My husband shouted that it was time to go from further down the field near the gate. I didn’t hear him mention cows but apparently he did but it was a distance away. Not being aware of the danger I strolled back and he started shouting at me to run. I turned and realised that a herd of about15 cows were about ten feet behind me looking agitated. I froze. I climbed on to a low bank to give myself some thinking space when he shouted that there were more cows behind me. I could feel the breath of one on my neck. The cows weren’t advancing. I looked to my husband and the minute I took my eyes off them they quickly advanced another three feet. They were very agitated. I didn’t want to enrage them but needed to do something so I kept eye contact, shouted loudly and backed away slowly. My husband came back into the field to distract them. I moved slowly and they slowly stalked me. When I got near enough to the gate I ran. The minute I did, they charged and I just got through the kissing gate before they came crashing into the fence. I learned that if a cow is mooing aggressively it’s time to go. Also, it seemed that my running was a trigger for the final charge.

Zepmum says “I heard today that an ex colleague of mine was attacked by a cow a few days ago. She suffered a broken pelvis and had to be airlifted. She was with her husky and a dog but I don’t know any more details yet.”

Thank goodness the cows stopped their charge!!!

Incident number: 772

Response number: 289,529,493

29^th August 2023

Near the village of Gotherington (GL52 9QX)

The local farmer has a herd of cows in the lower field near the railway line, and as the day continues they migrate up to the top field. It is a large field with two footpaths leading through it. I was walking my dog on a lead and at some distance to the cows, as I took a wide berth allowing them plenty of space. Both the exit points to the field were blocked by the cows so I waited some time for them to move away. I was there for some time until I made the decision to try and pass by safely. I proceeded slowly with caution and allowed them time to see me. (all the time the dog was on a lead.) I got halfway down the hill when one cow on my right at quite a distance saw me and started mooing. The cows behind me started mooing as well and started to run down towards me. The cow on my right took speed and charged at me running up the hill very fast. I was surrounded. I had no way of escaping. I stood with my arms out (like a starfish) and shouted and cried at full volume. The cows behind me running and mooing in great distress. The cow on my right is still in full charge mode. I continued to scream and wave my arms around, and she stopped within 10 feet of me. I slowly reversed up the hill keeping a close eye on all the cows who had surrounded and I managed to get some distance from them and get out of danger. I then had a much longer walk around and along a dangerous main road to get home safely. My neighbour kindly came and found me halfway back home as I was in great distress. There are many skid marks in the grass indicating what had happened if you need any photographic evidence. This has happened before to my son and after speaking to other members of the public who have had similar situations.

I reported to Heath and Safety Executive and they are investigating.

Ben was lucky to be fit and able to run and wants paths to be safe for other walkers.

Incident number: 771

Response number: 289,519,286

30^th August 2023

The Goyt valley, Romiley

I was walking alone without a dog for an evening walk and headed down a public footpath from Overdale Road to Dark Lane (Goyt Valley). I saw that cows were on the field where they had not usually been seen. I walked a bit more slowly and was under the impression they would leave me alone. As the field path became a wooded path and then went down a relatively steep embankment ,(I was almost completely past them) I noticed a black cow in my peripheral vision come charging at me from behind. I quickly ran down part of the embankment to hide behind a tree. The cow waited at the ridge above and continued looking towards me. By this point it was essentially off the field and on the wooded path. I weighed up my options: I could probably have climbed the tree as I am active and climb a lot, but didn’t know where to go from there. In the end I ran further down the embankment with a view to hide behind another tree further away. I judged (I don’t know how accurately) the cow would have a difficult time running down the steep incline, and there were several other trees to barrier the way. Once it became clear the cow was not following me I ran to the style and got onto the fenced path as quickly as possible. I thankfully came out with no injuries but was extremely lucky to have caught the cow charging at me from the edges of my vision. Once home and safe I shared a laugh at my own expense with my family about having been charged at whilst out for a peaceful stroll, but it was honestly one of the most frightening experiences of my life – I have very little experience with cattle and didn’t know the right thing to do. I’ve told my family not to go down that field if they see cows on it as I know they frequent that route, however it is a public right of way! I’ve since done some Googling on how to safely traverse fields of cattle as I was quite ignorant of any danger. I was fortunate to be near the edge of the field and something of a viable escape route, if I had been charged at earlier on in the open field I would probably have fared a lot worse.

Ben says “I’d just like the route to be safe for walkers.”

Multiple spoiled walks and near misses – badly scared walkers

Killer Cows receives many varied reports of aggressive and scary behaviour by cattle, and several of our recently reported incidents are posted below. There does not seem to be one type of breed that is safer and we cannot assume that because cattle did not react the last time we walked through their field, they will be equally calm the next. Farmers can fail to spot when cattle are a risk – so how can we notice?

Our reports are split with 50% having a dog present, 50% not. These incidents have happened in quiet rural spots and in areas where there is a lot of public footfall. Each incident results in badly scared walkers; they are no longer able to enjoy the wonderful freedom of walking along a footpath without worrying whether there are cattle in the next field.

The guidance issued by NFU or The Ramblers can work in some occasions, but not in others. Signage doesn’t seem to be updated to reflect whether cattle are present at the time you are walking – so no help at all. Signs warning of cattle in fields don’t absolve the farmer of their duty of care to walkers, but they may deter some walkers – and some farmers may be happy with this result. There are farmers who are actively looking at ways to keep walkers safe and are proactively working with the legislative bodies – we applaud them. Our footpaths give us access to our countryside, we need to feel safe to enjoy them.

Read the varied accounts below –

Nicky’s story – one of the cows started pawing the ground…

290,885,628 report number 786

Incident date 31/3/2020

Dipton (County Durham) DH9 9JY

I was out for a walk with my husband and 2 children (age 7 and 9) and we climbed over a stile into a field we normally walk through that is a public footpath. There was a herd of cows and calves in the field about 50 metres away. We stood still and discussed if we should walk through them.

Whilst we were stood there, one of the cows started pawing its hoof at the ground and the next moment was charging at us. The children and my husband were able to run and climb the stile, but as I ran, I fell to the floor. (We were unsure if this was due to impact from the cow or if I fell over a hole in the ground.)

I laid on the ground bracing myself waiting for the impact of the cow but thank goodness it didn’t come and I looked up to see the cows udders above me. My husband ran to me and then, thank goodness, the cow walked away. The children were screaming.

My foot was injured and swelled up immediately and I was unable to weight bear. I should have attended A&E that day but due to covid I was reluctant but I attended the following day and had an x-ray. Initially it was thought to be fractured but this was ruled out and I had a moon boot on my foot and was unable to drive for a few weeks after the incident. I had some physiotherapy sessions.

Comment: After the incident I was in shock and looked to see who I could report it to but my understanding was that there was no-one I could report to as I hadn’t had a serious injury or been taken straight to hospital. Every time I passed the site, I saw people and children walking in the same field as the cows and I just felt I had to do something. I managed to track down the farmer and told him about the incident. He was horrified and asked me to identify the cow so he could remove the cow from the herd. He also put a warning sign up at the entrance to the field to warn that cows with calves can be dangerous.

Dave’s story – unprovoked attack by a cow

Response ID 292,302,524, report number 799

Date: 12/10/23

Where: Near Ashley Walk Car Park, New Forest, nearest village Godshill

While walking with my 2 Cocker Spaniels this morning near Snake road we were subjected to a sustained & totally unprovoked attack by a lone dark grey cow. We were about 25 yards from the animal & heading away from it when it suddenly charged at the dogs. It took them by surprise & almost caught one of them but the dog managed to roll away from under its hooves.

Then the cow turned its attention to me & charged. It was a truly terrifying moment as it thundered towards me, only pulling up when about a foot away. I slowly backed away as it followed wild-eyed & snorting . I moved more quickly backwards without running & eventually it lost interest & we made our escape.

My dogs were unharmed, I was badly scared.

The warning signs in the New Forest are all about not letting your dog worry livestock. Nothing about the danger to humans or dogs

This has been reported to New Forest National Park Authority

There has been a huge increase in the number of cattle in the New Forest in recent years. It has become very difficult to avoid contact with them. It would be great to have some cattle-free areas where people can walk without fear of attack.

Simons story – hunted by cattle

Response ID 291,908,092, Report number 792

Date of incident: 12/09/23

no dog lone walker

I was walking on my own on a footpath on the north side of the stream which flows east to Fordingbridge from beyond Rockbourne. I entered the large field by a stile at the east end with the exit stile at the west end. The path was parallel to a fence with stream lower down & brambles & shrubs filling the gap between the barbed wire fence & stream. The field rises on the right but stays level by the fence all the way to the exit stile. It seemed a long way on level ground to the exit in the west.

After a few steps I saw cattle grazing on the sky line near the top of the field. When I next looked one was staring at me. I avoided looking at them & walked a little faster. I looked up after a few seconds and the herd of about 10 cattle were walking down hill exactly towards me. I knew if they started to go faster I would not make it to the end. I quickened without running. I felt the ground vibrating, looked sideways & saw they were running towards me. The barbed wire fence on my left had brambles & thick vegetation behind it.

Ben was charged at by cattle

report number 783

Response ID 290,785,332

20/09/023

Lattrig, Lake District

Two of us were setting up tent on top of Lattrig at approximately 7pm. Some cows appeared and seemed interested and started coming over to investigate. The cattle started chewing on tent, which prompted us to leave, we managed to shoo the cattle out of the way and began to walk along the track downhill.

As we were walking down the hill the cattle all charged towards us, we shouted loudly and they stopped a metre before us. If we hadn’t shouted and made them stop I think they may have trampled us.

Escaped over a barbed wire fence

report number 782

Response ID 290,748,076

21/09/23

Nayland, Suffolk/Essex border.

51.96661620544016, 0.8753255126471292

I was on my own crossing a field on a public footpath, no dog with me. I had walked this path before and usually there were friendly white cows in the field that paid me no attention. This time there was a new black cow (or bull – I didn’t stop to check,) that was looking at me in a menacing manner as I approached. The herd were blocking my path to the gate on the other side, so I headed around them to use a different exit to the field. Suddenly I heard a noise that made me look behind and saw a cow charging towards me. I just managed to jump over the fence to get out of the way in time.

I caught my finger jumping the barbed wire fence escaping from the charging animal.

Cooper was pinned to the ground by cattle.

20/09/2023

on public footpath near Durham

https://explore.osmaps.com/pin?lat=54.735290373945105&lon=-1.5851990560360036&zoom=16.0

I was walking along a public footpath with Cooper,(a black lab I walk for a friend,) on a lead with a few friends. There was a mixed herd of cattle dotted around the public footpath, with a bull and some cows. One cow suddenly charged at Cooper out of the blue. I released the dogs lead and the cow instantly had him pinned to the ground, trying to gouge him. Luckily he wriggled free and ran after me. The cow didn’t pursue.

I was shaken by the incident, Cooper was bruised but no significant injuries.

I’m not really sure what could be done other than to remove the footpath or the cattle.

Killer cattle comment: If cattle have to be placed in fields with footpaths, fencing should be used to separate cattle and walkers.

report number 781

Response ID 290,726,193

Sparkwell cattle thugs

Response ID 290,510,909

report number 779

30/11/2014

In field near Sparkwell, Devon, PL21 area

I was out for a run with my dog. I was about to run through a field along a public bridleway. I saw there were about 20 cows and a few young ones at the top of the field so stopped and put my dog on a lead and continued to run across the field. As I entered the field the cows started moving towards me then started running my way. I ran to the far corner where there were steps over the fence. I arrived at the steps about the same time as the cows.

I picked my dog up and threw him over the gate as the cows hit me and pinned me against the gate. I somehow wriggled free and got over the gate. I had bad bruising on my right upper body but no lasting damage just really lucky I think. My dog was unharmed.

Killer Cattle comment: “This attack by dangerous cattle was 10 years ago and cattle attacks and scares continue – with, it seems, increasing numbers. At the date I’ve written this account up there are 806 cattle incidents reported onto our site. 421 involved NO dog, in 386 incidents there was a dog present. 341 involved a single person, 327 a couple and 120 a small group of 3-5 people.

Luckily 511 of our reports involved no injuries (but most of these were badly scared), 192 had minor injuries, 59 significant injuries, 19 suffered serious, potentially fatal injuries, 3 sadly died.

This is a serious public safety issue.”

Trevor escaped through a barbed wire fence to safety from a herd of cattle in Derbyshire

Date: 31^st May 2023

Location: Biggin village near Hulland Ward Derbyshire

I entered the field on my own without a dog, there was a fairly large herd about 150 metres away all lying down. Following a hedge on my left I tried to cross the 100 meters to reach a copse of trees on other side. Half way into the field I noticed the cattle were on their feet when I startled a pheasant. The cattle then started running toward me at surprising speed. I also tried to run for it but could not find the gate. I reached a tree and moved around it as a young large calf tried to approach. (It was in touching distance.) The rest of the herd were stopped by the low hawthorn tree I was under. Next to me there was a barbed wire fence through which I clambered into an adjacent field. I fortunately had no injuries . Later viewing the herd from a safe distance I saw that they were frisky and charging around for no obvious reason. The incident was not reported.

Incident Number: 755

Response ID: 288,882,351