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”
We ended up retracing our steps and going through private property to find a road.
On the 3rd July, this year, I was walking with a friend along the South West Coast Path. We had my dog on a lead, and we were on an inland section between Abbotsbury and Chickerell, near Clayhanger Farm. Continue reading “Janet’s walk along the South West Coast Path spoiled by ‘inquisitive’ cattle”
I was headbutted, trampled, and dragged along the ground.
On the 28th February, 2019, I was walking alone with my dog on a lead, along footpath number three below Tutbury Castle , Staffordshire. In the field was a herd of cattle. Initially, I didn’t notice any bulls or calves, but later I realised there were at least two bulls in the field, along with cows, heifers, and bullocks. There were calves present too. They were a mix of breeds, Aberdeen Angus, Charolais and Friesian. Continue reading “Jude’s story: butted and trampled”
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
The dog was very badly bruised and lucky to be alive.
On the 9th of June, a group of four of us were walking along a footpath from Rockford Common car park (Ringwood, Hampshire). The path runs parallel to the road, and we were heading towards Linwood. We had a dog on a lead.
We spotted a group of brown cows and waited for them to cross the path. We the proceeded to go down the path. Continue reading “Dog trampled and walkers injured”
I ended up on the ground, being trampled under the hooves of 10 or 15 cows.
On the 30th September this year, I was walking on a public footpath in Cornwall, on a circular route from Millook, near Bude, through Trebarfoote Farm, which is where the incident happened. Continue reading “Surrounded and trampled by cows”
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.
Nearly forced to turn back.
John’s story is a reminder that encounters with cattle can be frightening, particularly when unexpected, and can spoil our enjoyment of the countryside.
In September of this year, I was walking with my wife along the Isle of Wight Coast Path. We were about a mile west of Bouldnor Copse on the north coast of the island, and there was a diversion on the coast path.
Unfortunately, along the diversion were cattle, and they were protecting a calf.
We were badly frightened and nearly forced to turn back, but a young man was working with a tractor nearby, and he came over and kept the cows away while we went though the field.
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!”
The cow put its horns either side of me – and launched me onto the heath land.
In February 2018, I was walking my dog in the New Forest, in Dibden Purlieu, near to the Heath roundabout.
I was walking along the path with my dog walking to heel, when I saw some cows quite a distance away from me. They were small, with really long horns, and looked like Highland Cattle. They were just quietly grazing, and I didn’t feel concerned.
One of the cows seemed to make eye contact with me, came towards me from quite a distance, and started running at me. I turned to go back the way I came to try to avoid it, but next thing it was right up behind me. Continue reading “Carolyn’s Story: another cow attack in the New Forest”
Serious injuries and no laughing matter.
A few weeks ago, Della White and her husband Michael were walking their dogs near their home in the New Forest.
“We saw a white cow with horns and her calf,” her husband told reporters. “I called our two sheepdogs close and my wife put our other dog on a lead. Suddenly I heard my wife shout behind me.” Continue reading “New Forest: cow tramples woman”
Cattle Safety 