Stories – Page 2 – Cattle Safety

Experienced walker attacked on Dartmoor asks – are cows more belligerent?

Report number: 1297

Date: 16/08/26

Location: Next to Vitifer Mine Carpark (on the B3212) just down the road from the Warren House Inn, Dartmoor, Devon. Close to ///pairings.always.survey. Warren House Inn, Postbridge, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6TA

Terri’s report: “It was around 9.30am. I was walking up the hill from Warren House Inn to recce the start of a Ramblers’ Walk I was due to lead from 10.00am – I wanted to know if there was a better path to join the main track. There was a group of about 10 Highland Cattle with calves sheltering under the tree by a spring/stream close to the Warren House Inn. A few cows were standing in the road (B3212) and holding up traffic – to an extent where one car pushed a cow with its bonnet to try and persuade the cow to move. This group of cars had gone by the time I descended towards the carpark – but another group of cars (about 3, plus a motorbike) were held up by the same group of cows. I decided, as I was crossing the road, to help, by shooing the cows out of the road. I had my collie cross dog with me on a lead at the time. (In hindsight, this would seem a rash thing to do, but I have never not had a cow move when I’ve shooed it before!). I came around behind the static van stationary in the road and shooed the cow that was in the middle of the road, my dog was behind me (hiding). The cow came toward me instead of moving away, advancing her wide horns and swinging her head up and down – As I put my hands out to avoid being gored (not that it would have done much good!) – my right hand was nicked by a horn (and started bleeding) and my left hand was bruised – and swelled up a short while later (going to be an awesome bruise) and I was pushed backwards to the extent I fell over onto the road – but (fortunately) the cow then turned towards the edge of the road and didn’t trample me as I fell. A calf cantered off to follow it – and as I got to my feet I thought “Aha – mother protecting calf!”. The people in the van, plus a couple of people in another van in the carpark, plus another Moorland Guide also witnessed the incident. One of the women gave me an antiseptic wipe for the cut on my left hand, and everyone was asking me how I was. I was mainly feeling a bit shocked and a little stupid too, for approaching a Mama cow with my dog in tow. I think I’ve bruised my shoulder from where I fell over in the road, but very glad I didn’t come off worse. My dog was fine, she hid behind me and didn’t bark and gave the cows wide berth!”

“One of the Ramblers accompanying me on the walk is a member of Dartmoor Preservation Society and he said he intended to report the incident to the National Park.”

Terri wanted this incident to go on our website to “remind others that shooing Mama cows who have calves is NOT a good idea (especially with a dog in tow). They are so much bigger than us. I didn’t realise initially that there was a calf with this cow as it was not in the road but under the tree with the rest of the herd.”

Terri added: “We (the Ramblers) were wondering if cows were getting more belligerent because farmers are not so hands on – and use more machinery (eg quad bikes) to handle them. These cows were maybe in not such a good mood as I saw a couple of cows lock horns with each other, under the tree AFTER I had been attacked by one of them.”

Cattle safety comments – “we’re glad Terri is ok apart from cuts, bruises and aches”

“What do people think? In your experience are cattle more belligerent? Do let us know.”

“even the most experienced walker can be caught out, calves can be hiding in the long grasses and well nigh impossible to see, so advice to avoid getting between a mother cow and her calf can be difficult to follow.”

Family escape from aggressive cattle over barbed wire fence

Report: 1296

Date: 18/07/26

Location: 52.2403290, -1.3127479 Just looked up on map and copied from Google maps. It was on a footpath going towards Napton on the Hill, Warwickshire.

Kirsty’s Report: “We were walking across a field with cows in the far distant corner, a long way from where we were and we noticed they looked agitated. Then they suddenly all started running full speed towards us. We’ve never seen cows behave like that before. We were in danger and had our 12 year old daughter with us so had to run to nearest fence which was unfortunately barbed wire. We had no choice but to climb over the barbed wire fence to escape to safety. After we escaped we saw the cows closer and they were scraping at the ground looking very aggressive and agitated. We didn’t have a dog with us and never got anywhere near them, didn’t see any calves either so don’t understand why they reacted like that. It was terrifying. Had the cows been closer when stampede started we would not have made it out uninjured especially with the barbed wire fence.”

Kirsty added “I didn’t know how to report these incidents until I read BBC Countryfile article with this website. We need more awareness of the dangers and how to report incidents. Our family haven’t been for a walk since and it was almost a month ago. It really frightened us. We had a stressful situation finding a way out and couldn’t find a way around the cows so had a very long walk back the way we came in hot weather having run out of water too. I don’t think barbed wire fences are appropriate in fields with cows and footpaths, that made our escape to safety so much more hazardous and difficult to escape without injury.”

Cattle Safety comments:

Here is a link to our webpage giving details of who to contact after an attack Report an Incident – Cattle Safety

Link to the Countryfile article mentioned above Fear not! Here’s how to stay safe while walking near cows | Countryfile.com – please note we have many issues with this article!

Devon or Staffs; dog or no dog; near misses with cows happen – they need fencing off

Report: 1291

Date: 3/8/26

Location: Cullompton, highbanks, Devon. W3W ///relocated.waters.request

2 walkers, no dog

Single cow, ? Charolais

Report: “We were walking along the opposite side of the field next to the bushes, the cows were down by the river. They had moved around a bit, but they weren’t near us and we weren’t near them, a couple were still coming out of the river, a couple were grazing they were all near each other. There were no signs of aggression from any of them that we saw. We didn’t see the cow running at us before it was right next to us it had b-lined straight for us from across the field, we’re not sure what set it off. In fight or flight we jumped into a thorn bush as we had no time to move and it stood and stared directly at us for 5 minutes before walking back to join the herd and continue to graze. A couple of the cows in that group had little scuffles after that but it took 20 minutes till we felt comfortable enough to leave the bush and they were far away enough again. It’s a very public area with plenty of footfall generally, but there were only a few people out as it was between 9-10pm and no one was in the area at the time it happened.”

“I’m unsure on how to feel as it is a very public area. I haven’t had any issues before, they’ve been curious but I’ve never had an experience like that. I know a lot of kids and dog walkers walk through highbanks. I also know you’re meant to act bigger to scare them off but we had no time to think before it was next to us and fight or flight kicked in.”

Report 1294

Date 6/8/26

Location: Public Footpath between Bilstone and Congerstone in Staffordshire

2 walkers 1 dog on a lead

Group of cattle (?Holstein) black and white

Elizabeth’s Report: “We were walking with a Jack Russell on a lead and after entering the field the cows started walking then running towards us we tried to backtrack to leave the field but couldn’t make it in time. We jumped over a small barbed wire fence and were trapped between the cows and a canal. My husband came to rescue my son and I by yelling and swinging a cane. The cows only cleared off for long enough for us to run towards the gate to escape but they were close on our heels.”

Boisterous cattle on the Cotswold Way stop walkers following the path.

Incident number: 1290
Date: 2/8/26
Site: On the Cotswold Way public footpath at Sands Farm (between Dyrham and Pennsylvania/ (Cold Ashton) just before where the Cotswold Way crosses Gorse Lane. The very approximate coordinates are 51.468770,-2.378849.
Type of cow: Boisterous group of young cattle.
2 walkers, no dog.

Report: “At approximately 12:00 noon, Sunday 2nd August 2026, my mother and I were forced off the Cotswold way footpath due to being charged by a herd of young, boisterous cattle. We were following the Cotswold way sign posts, which took us into and signposted us across the field, we were definitely following the correct route. The field was shortly before the Gorse Lane crossing.

Cows with calves across major walking route

Incident number 1287
Date: 26.07.26
Site: Winnats Pass loop trail
2 walkers and dog (on lead)

Report: “The cows were stood next to the gate we needed to get through, as my friend and her dog carefully passed them to get through the gate a cow turned to her and began walking fast towards her, it’s head was bowed, I froze and stayed where I was – she managed to get through the gate unharmed. The cow was now stood directly in front of the gate staring at me, and I was stranded in the field. My friend on the other side of the wall moved further down and began calling the cows and they eventually headed toward her, clearing the path for my exit and I managed to escape unharmed.”

Comment: “Since this is a major walking route in the Peak District, full of fields and farms – the farmers should move the cows when they have young calves. It could have ended a lot worse.”

John was nearly killed by cows, HSE decide that a few signs will make this safe for future walkers.

Report: 1284

Date: 02/08/21

Location: Todmorden, West Yorkshire. On footpath from East Whirlaw Farm to Style Road. Approximate map reference 255 936 on OS Map OL21

Single careful walker, no dog

John’s report: “I skirted around a group of cows as I walked downhill, but a number of the calves started to follow me. After that the cows started to run towards me and as I stumbled and fell , one or two cows trampled on me. I managed to phone my wife who came to assist me with our brother-in-law. My sister-in-law went to the farmer’s house and asked him to move the cattle. He was very reluctant, saying that it was his son’s job. He was only persuaded to move them when the air ambulance said that it would be dangerous to land with the cattle in such close proximity.”

This walker says they will never cross a field of cows again after incident on Welsh coastal path

Incident number: 1286

Date of incident: 14.07.26

Location: Welsh Coast Path in the Vale of Glamorgan heading west from Cwm Nash towards Dunraven.

Status: Lone walker with no dog on PRoW

Charles’s story

“I was walking across the fields along the clifftop on the Wales Coast Path. In the second field there was a large herd of cows grazing right by the path. Being apprehensive about passing too close to them I started walking around the perimeter of the field to try to avoid them. This of course meant temporarily leaving the path. About half way across they were still grazing peacefully so I cut back diagonally across the field in order to reach the path exit gate on the other side. I kept glancing at the cows to see if they were still OK and when about three quarters of the way across I noticed about half a dozen of the nearest ones staring at me – perhaps they had not noticed me before. I was walking at a brisk pace across the field but not running. The next time I glanced at the cows around 5 or 6 were running towards me. I therefore started running, but I was confident of reaching the gate before they reached me. I had walked that way before, I knew the gate opened, and I knew there was no way they could cross through the gate or over the wall adjoining it. So I was not too worried. But when I got to the gate I saw that the whole herd of estimate 40 to 50 cows – some quite large – was charging full tilt towards me. Furthermore if I had not been near the gate they would have overtaken me as they were running far faster than I could. So it was with huge relief I passed through the gate. What triggered this I don’t know. I did nothing to provoke them. Perhaps it was because I was walking across the middle of the field which they regarded as their territory. But the key point is that if they had noticed me earlier and had started running before I was in reach of the gate, I believe they would have charged me, knocked me over and possibly trampled me to death. I believe the farmer responsible should not put such unpredictable cows in a field through which runs the Welsh Coast Path – perhaps he resents this and it is his way of deterring walkers.

I believe they are a danger – I will never cross that field again if they are there even at the expense of a lengthy detour inland. What if children had been involved. I believe this incident should be reported.”

A broken arm after being headbutted by cow near to Exeter canal at Turf Lock

Incident number: 1285

Date of incident: 04.07.26

Location: Exminster footpath 3, between RSPB land and the Exeter Canal at Turf Lock.

Status: Group of walkers (between 3 and 5) with no dog on PRoW

Roger’s account of the incident

“We were walking back to the RSPB footpath, ant 8pm, after a meal at the Turf pub. The path crosses a field, but is not marked at that point. There was a small herd of cows in the field, which we had already passed once earlier, on our way to the pub. We tried to avoid the cows, but they came running over to us. We continued around the edge of the field, shouting and waving at the cows, to keep them away. But one of them walked up to a woman in our group, and head butted her to the ground. She got up, realised that her arm was broken, and ran with the other two of us to the gate, where we escaped. We returned back to our car and I drove to Exeter hospital, where the arm was x rayed and set in a cast. The following week, she had an operation to set the broken bones and insert a plate, to aid recovery.

We reported the incident to the landowners, the pub, the Council, the police, and the Health and Safety Executive.”

1066 Country walk – Hastings Link – advertised walk – Cattle charging for no reason

Incident number: 1282

Response ID: 330,099,718

Date of incident: 04.03.26

Location: TQ 85130 12615. 50.88336, 0.63050 OS reference 1066 Country Walk, Hastings Link

Status: Lone walker with no dog on PRoW

Susanne’s story

“I entered the field and saw the herd by the stile at the opposite side. I was unsure whether to carry on but had no choice in order to avoid a huge detour. I decided to walk round the edge so the cows wouldn’t feel I was walking towards them but as I had got about a third of the way they suddenly started running towards me. I tried to follow all the advice about making yourself look tall and retreating calmly but as they were picking up speed there was no way I would have made it back. I managed to run towards a side gate and climb over with one cow pushing at my leg as I was doing so. I then had to hack my way through brambles and nettles to get to a lane but anything rather than going back to that field. This is a long-distance footpath and I also often see cows on other sections as well as the South Downs Way, Wealdway and the Vanguard Way. At least long-distance paths really need cows behind a fence in my view as you often have no option but to continue”

Chased by cattle on National Trust marked route at the Sheffield Park Estate

Incident number: 1276

Response ID: 330,048,467

Date of incident: 08.07.26

Location: Sheffield Parkland, Uckfield. TN22 3QX. On the Tolls circular walk route. Established, signposted route for visitors. National Trust property.

Status: Two people without a dog on National trust ROW

Amber’s story

“We were walking the Tolls route at Sheffield Park Estate – an approximately 45 mins circular route marked with sign posts. The park invites you to walk their parkland and issues maps with the trails on them and signposts several routes with coloured arrows. A staff member verbally stated to us also, on the day, that we could walk on the parkland (outside of the gardens which are a fenced in area around a large house). About 15-20 mins into walking, we were in a huge open area of grass with a few areas of scattered trees, quite far apart from each other, and a larger wooded area beyond a fence in the distance to our right. We were aiming towards a signpost in the distance. A large group of black cattle were far in the distance beyond the signpost. They began to turn and look at us and then to walk in our direction. We diverted 90 degrees directly towards the wooded area with a fence (and we could see a gate). They tracked us and turned towards us. They began to run. I don’t know how many there were, maybe around 20 or more. I felt we had no option but to run at that point, to try to reach the edge and the gate before they reached us. It was terrifying. I felt we were literally running for our lives at that point. We reached the gate and I remember the panic I felt as I was trying to wrestle it open. We went through it. As I turned and shut the gate I saw them all right there behind us, they had reached where we were. We walked away into the wooded area immediately. We then had the problem that the circular route required us to go back through that gate. We had to find an alternative route through adjacent fields. That was also stressful because then we were guessing the direction and limited by barbed wire. Luckily we found large gates to pass through or climb, between fields and made our way back to the car.”

Cattle with calves not fit to be on a public right of way in Horninghold Leicestershire

Incident number: 1274

Response ID: 330,024,462

Date of incident: 05.07.26

Location: Horninghold, Leicestershire. GR 819 976 (Path No B101). Footpath running between Knob Hill Farm and Burn Hill.

Status: Two people with dog on the lead on PRoW

Chris’s story

“We passed through Knob Hill farm which is a danger in itself due to dogs running loose. However, the farmer did put the dogs away to let us pass. When we entered the large field above the farm we noticed a herd of cattle on the opposite side. I put the dog on the lead and we tried to skirt round below the ridgeline so that the cows wouldn’t see us. However, as we got to the middle of the field they came over the brow of the hill and began to charge towards us very aggressively. Probably about 50 cows, including calves. They were most interested in the dog so I let the dog loose for our own safety and told my daughter to try and make her way to the fenceline as I retreated with my back to the cows trying to keep them at bay. One of them charged past me and lunged for the dog. The others came right up and I had to wrap one on the nose to stop it charging over me. As we got to the fenceline it looked as though they had backed off but then came another charge. My daughter managed to throw the dog over the fence and clamber over, ripping her leggings and cutting her hand on the barbed wire. I had managed to pick up a stick to try and keep them at bay an just had enough time to make it over the fence. I’ve been walking in the countryside all of my life and this was the closest I have ever been to being trampled by a herd of cows. They were incredibly aggressive, no doubt protective of the calves, and not fit to be in a field with a public footpath running across it.”

Anglesey coastal path – a thunder of cows hooves as cows approached walkers

Incident number: 1272

Response ID: 329,962,214

Date of incident: 9^th May 2026

Location: Near Anglesey equestrian centre the costal path

Status: Couple of people walking on PRoW with no dog.

Kat’s story “There was 3 fields with cows and calves in. The

farmer and his helper saw us and said, go through quiet.

In the second field there was a calf lying on its own and a hedge to the right of us We could see cows and calf’s to the left of the field so assumed the mum was there.

As we were approaching to go past the calf we heard a thunder of hooves behind the hedge. We didn’t know there was an opening to the field we were in. Next minute they all came thundering through the gap 4 foot from us.

Was awful never been so scared in my life. We couldn’t retreat backwards as the ones that were on the left of the field had moved to where we needed to get back to the style They were snorting stamping their hooves. We knew had to attempt to get to safety so my husband said if we walk sideways into the middle of the field the mums should stay with the calves and we can get to the next stile. Thankfully the dog wasn’t with us.”

Kat adds “It needs to be law that farmers can not put any form of cow on a public footpath If no other option must fence the footpath off”