I made it to the stile just in time.
On the 9th June, 2021, I was walking on my own along a public footpath in Wales, near Whitchuch. I was coming back from the Woollen Mill at Solva and walking across fields to get back down into Solva.
Continue reading “Alison’s story: sprint to the stile”cornered by herds of cattle
On the 9th August, 2020, I was walking along a public footpath in Norton village, near Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire (grid reference TL 23241 34541). I was on my own and didn’t have a dog with me.
I noticed the cows as I was walking through the footpath, but they were in a far corner and peacefully grazing. As I reached around midway through the field they began moving towards me. They then blocked my path and one ran towards me. I put my hands up and talked calmly, backing away slowly. They continued pursuing me. I fell over while walking backward and the same one approached again. I ended up backing back to the gate and leaving the field.
My main worry would be if that footpath was used by children, or families with children who didn’t know how to behave around cattle, this incident could have ended much worse.
Respondent ID: 240210409
2. A couple’s story
On the 9th August, 2020, we were walking on a public footpath near Brailsford, Derbyshire, in a field just southwest of the Post Office.
We saw a group of black bullocks standing in the field, so decided to give them a wide berth (c. 70 metres). We have been through this field before, but the cattle have either all been lying down or have been in another part of the field c. 250 metres away. However, today they were standing up.
I noticed that very soon they started walking purposefully towards us. I would estimate that there were approximately 15-20 animals.
I ran to the gate, but my wife isn’t as quick. She picked up a stick, which she waved at them in order to keep them at bay. I went back to help her, and started shouting and screaming at the bullocks to provide a decoy. This helped to distract them, and to allow my wife to get to the gate too.
It was very frightening, especially for my wife.
We did report the incident to the police. Ideally, we’d the cattle to be moved somewhere else so that they are no longer a nuisance to those using a public footpath. Failing that, some warning signs MUST be put up if the farmer doesn’t wish to face prosecution.
Respondent ID: 240210310
3. CS’s story
On the 19th August, 2020, I was walking along a public footpath near Morton, Derbyshire (Grid Reference SK 40048 60921). I was on my own in the field, with my two dogs on a lead.
One of the cows in the field took a dislike to us and started stomping and huffing. Then it got ready to charge!
The herd cornered us. I had to climb through a barbed wire fence to escape, as unable to find another way to safety. The dogs were unharmed, but I had some scratches and bruises.
Respondent ID: 240476237
The bull appeared in front of the gate… about two metres away.
On the 13th June, 2021, I was walking with a group along a footpath in Eaton Dale, near Alsop en le Dale, in the Peak District (Grid reference: SV 16978 55586)
We came to a field with a waterhole next to the gate. Did a check of the field before entering, and saw there were cows but did not see a bull or calves. They looked like dairy cows.
Continue reading “Chris’s Story: a scary encounter with cows and a bull”It was charging directly at us!
On the 4th April, 2021, we were walking near Godalming, England, when we were attacked by a cow.
Continue reading “Charged by a cow.”One of the cows started to run towards me.
On the 7th September, I was walking on my own in Havering Country Park.
While walking through a public field with cattle, I noticed two cows bumping heads together, so I stopped and observed the area for a few seconds. Then, one of the cows started to run towards me.
Continue reading “Maria’s story: scary encounter with an unsettled cow”I was petrified – the cow was about to charge me.
On the 3rd of September, 2020, my sister and I were walking along a footpath up to the summit of Nicky Nook Fell, near Skorton, in Lancashire. We were heading from east to west and had my twelve-week old puppy on a lead with us.
Continue reading “Gemma’s Story: a stand-off with an aggressive cow.”The herd put out “spotters” to look for me.
I have reported several of the more unpleasant experiences I have had with cattle over the years. The first two incidents are detailed here: Two cattle encounters on the Pennine Way. Here are two more examples .
Continue reading “Steve W: two more close encounters with cattle”I yelled “STOP” in a loud voice.
I have reported some of the more unpleasant experiences I have had with cows over the years. There have been others, and I am always on edge when cattle are around.
Continue reading “Steve W: two cattle encounters on the Pennine Way”I have never seen cattle behave in this way.
On the 5th October, 2020, I was walking on the river footpath between Litlington and Alfriston, East Sussex, with my parents and my dog.
Continue reading “Charlotte’s Story: My mother was threatened by a bullock”I heard thundering hooves…
In August, 2020, I was walking with my partner along a public footpath in the Reabrook Valley Nature reserve, Shrewsbury. We didn’t have a dog with us.
We walked through a field where there were a group of Friesian bullocks grazing. The cattle were about 50 yards away, near the hedge. We walked through a narrowing path leading to a second field, when suddenly I heard thundering hooves coming up behind us.
The cattle ran very fast and passed very close to us in the narrowed section. We were nearly knocked down. I pushed my partner into a wall to get him out of the way.
We weren’t injured, but were badly frightened.
We could hear the cattle were building up speed behind us.
On the 26th September, 2020, I was walking with my husband along a public footpath on the east side of the River Ouse, near Isfield in Sussex (OS grid reference TQ442159). We had our Scottie dog on a lead. Continue reading “Tracey’s story: chased by stampeding cattle.”
In the summer of 2015, I was walking with my wife along part of the Wales Coast Path in Carmarthenshire, not far from St Clears. As we approached a field (Fox Hole Farm), we saw approximately 30 dairy cattle. They were all cows, with no calves and no bull. Continue reading “David’s story: several frightening encounters with cattle.”
Cattle Safety 