I sprinted for the footpath with 4 or 5 cows running after me.
On Tuesday 21st April 2020 I was running along my normal route toward St Columb Major, (Parish/path no./link no. : 415/2/1) near Trenoweth Manor Farm, in Cornwall.
Continue reading “Andrew’s story: a runner chased by cows.”A close escape from cattle, and a lesson learnt.
This communication is just for your information. I have had a few slightly scary encounters with cattle on my numerous country walks, but with one incident there was an explanation you need to know about. Continue reading “Warning: avoid carrying plastic bags!”
I dropped the dogs’ leads – and ran for my life.
On the 26/11/2019, I was walking with my friend along a public bridleway through a field, near Lartington, County Durham. (Grid Ref NZ015168).
We’d already been through several fields of sheep and cattle, with my two dogs, both on a short lead. Continue reading “Sophie’s Story: chased by a bellowing cow”
They all seemed very agitated and a few broke into a run.
On the 3rd October, this year, I was walking on my own in the Lambley Dumbles, Nottinghamshire. I was walking across a field of cattle, using the footpath, when one single cow started to charge for me. Continue reading “Josh’s story: agitated cattle”
I lifted my legs up and started kicking the attacking cows in the face
On the 8th September, this year, I was walking on a public footpath near Ashbourne in Derbyshire. I was on my own with my dog on a lead.
I saw a group of cows were in the field I was about to enter. They were heifers and brown in colour. I normally have no problem dealing with cows, so I entered and began to walk across the field. Continue reading “Andy’s story: knocked down on a walk”
Maybe I should just pack wire cutters?
I was on a public footpath in Anglesey with a companion, and we were headed downhill east from Bod Feddau (shown on 1:25000 OS explorer Anglesey East) through a field at SH593797. We saw some bullocks in the field, and we took a low key detour to avoid the field they were in. We had no dog with us.
There was a connecting gate we hadn’t noticed. The bullocks caught sight of the pair of us and came at us at a gallop. We climbed over a couple of barbed wire fences to avoid them, getting our clothes ripped in the process.
Getting very fed up with similar incidents on Anglesey. Many farmers seem to be obstructing the footpaths with problem cattle. There were approx 25 bulls in this incident and they looked to be at least 10 months old, and possibly Limousin; which seem to be common locally. Getting to the point when I’ll just pack wire cutters to make escape easier and safer.
I’ve reported it to the council but have had no reply.
To my left – field of angry cows. To my right – big metal fence.
On Saturday 13th July, I went on a day trip to Arundel on my own. It was my day off from the summer school I am teaching at and so I welcomed the chance to get out and explore the local area. Continue reading “Steven’s Story: a terrifying encounter”
The cow became more and more threatening and aggressive.
In May 2019, I was walking with my daughter along a footpath near Coalburns, Gateshead.
There was a group of cows and calves in the field, along with some bullocks. I’m experienced at walking among cattle and normally OK. This time, one or two younger bulls were inquisitive but soon lost interest. Then an older cow started to follow us.
I did have my two labradors with us, which I kept on a very short lead at all times, as I was conscious of younger calves in the field. The calves were quite a distance from us. The cow following us didn’t appear to have a calf with her.
The cow became more and more threatening and aggressive. I had to shout and raise my voice a few times to make her back off, but she continued to follow us, even though we were now on the far side of the herd and heading out of the field.
The cow continued to follow us, and then started running towards us, bucking its back legs in the air as it turned around us. Quite scary! I even resorted to picking up an old fence post that I thought I might need to fend her off. My daughter was very scared.
Luckily we weren’t injured, and the dog was unharmed, but we were badly scared.
Photo by Luca Basili on Unsplash
One particular cow made straight for us.
This September, the two of us were walking on a footpath in the Derbyshire Dales near Throwley Hall, with our dog on a lead.
There were some cows in the field. They were light brown and tan coloured, some a rust colour – possibly Guernsey, although I’m not sure. We are used to livestock and were giving the cows a wide berth so as not to split the herd.
One particular cow made straight for us and came towards our dog, calling very loudly. The rest of the herd began to move towards us too.
My partner shouted at the ‘main’ cow and waved his hands. It turned away momentarily, before turning back and suddenly rushing at my partner. He dropped our dog’s lead and the dog ran off, pursued by the herd.
These cattle were extremely agitated and even after retrieving our dog and getting out of the field, they pursued us to the gate.
I’ve reported the incident to the local authority but, as far as I’m aware, they’re not investigating it further.
We got over the stile with a second to spare.
We are both experienced walkers in our fifties and are used to walking through fields with cattle in, and most of the time without any problem. In September, the two of us were walking on a public right of way near Uldale, in the Lake District. Continue reading “Roaring cattle”
I discovered the rest of the herd were right behind me.
On the 23rd September, 2018, I was walking along a public right-of-way near Wolsingham, County Durham. I was on my own, and didn’t have a dog with me.
I noticed there were cows in the field, but they were in the far corner, so I wasn’t concerned. I crossed a river using stepping stones put there for this purpose, and found a lone cow on the other side. It was standing by the gate out of the field, and it wouldn’t move. Continue reading “Close escape: chased across a river!”
I waved my arms and roared loudly as the cow bore down on us.
My girlfriend, my dog and I were walking along the Wales Coast Path, on the Llyn Peninsula, in June 2018. We passed through a turnstile to find a herd of cows with calves. We proceeded to pass quietly along the path with our dog, aged 8, who has walked in the country with us all his life and never bothers with cattle, horses or sheep.
Keeping an eye on the cattle, I noticed one of the mothers getting agitated and starting to make a noise. She was at least 10 metres away, and she started to stamp and run at myself and our dog. Continue reading “Angry cow on the Wales Coast Path”
Cattle Safety 