Serious Injuries – Page 2

Farmer had blocked off the foot path leading to my serious injuries from one lone cow!!!!!

Incident number: 1080

Response ID: 313,939,957

Date of incident: 06.04.24

Location: Field just past the campsite by St Margaret’s Church on Welsh Bicknor by river Wye

Status: Lone walker with dog on lead on PRoW

“The Farmer had blocked off the foot path making it impossible to avoid the field and the calves were not visible until right in the field.

Very large female cow came from nowhere charging at me. She Headbutted me to the floor, and continued stamping on me and headbutting me and either bit or horned the back of my leg. I let go of my dog as soon as I hit the floor and went limp. Attack stopped by 4 men who came to my rescue . And got me off the field. Ambulances to hospital where I stayed 4 days with two broken ribs, punctured lung and a puncture wound on my leg.”

We wish this walker well and hope that she has recovered from both her physical and mental ordeal.

“Everyone should be able to Walk safely on a public footpath without fear. My life will never be the same again”

Incident number: 1072

Response ID: 313,179,697

Date of incident: 2020

Location: East Yorkshire

Status: 2 People with no dog

A horrible ordeal back in 2020. The people involved wish to remain anonymous due to the trauma they suffered

“We entered the field, a cow approached me from behind and pushed me to the ground, then the rest of the herd came up and attacked both myself and my husband leaving us badly injured. The group of cows that attacked us were a Stabiliser breed.

I had multiple broken ribs, a fractured shoulder, a collapsed lung, a haematoma on my head and lung, damaged nerves in my leg and PTSD. My husband was airlifted and I went by road ambulance.

This incident has been investigated by the HSE”

Our thoughts go out to this couple as we understand the ongoing trauma that they have suffered. If they wish to discuss this with anyone in our group please contact us via email (you did not leave us a contact email) or Contact – Killer Cows

Attack near Belstone – the situation with dangerous cows in this area is long-standing.

Response ID 310,634,018
Report number: 1057

Date of attack: 2/10/18

Location: Sticklepath, near Okehampton, Devon. It’s a footpath from Sticklepath to Belstone along the river (Skaigh valley)

Report: “I was walking with 3 dogs and saw a cow coming towards me, so I got off the main path with the dogs to give the cow room to get past. As it was going past it suddenly turned & headbutted me in the chest , I fell to the ground & she started trampling , pushing & kicking me, I thought I was going to die. I lay still & eventually (probably not as long as it felt) she wondered off. There is always someone around, but not that day. I think adrenaline got me up, back to the car with the dogs & I drove home. Once there I told my partner & 2 girls & then I seized up. They took me to A&E and I was immediately admitted. I remained in hospital for nearly 2 weeks as I had 7 broken ribs, punctured lung & lots of abrasions ( later found I had kidney disease & the trauma had affected that too) whilst in hospital I got pneumonia too so I was a mess.”

“It wasn’t investigated because apparently the cows have grazing rights on the moor (including this area) & several farmers have their cows there so didn’t know whose cow it was.“

“My main concern is that I nearly died & I didn’t do anything wrong or anything to cause what happened to me. I’m still not right & never will be the same again , yet there is no compensation or comeback. That is surely not right. My partner went to the police but nothing happened.”

Killer Cows comment: Grazing rights do not give a grazier right to graze dangerous animals, the grazier is responsible for that cow and its behaviour – but how do individuals know who’s cattle trample them – there should be a joint liability of graziers for this area.

Dreadful attack along the Rochdale Canal

Response ID 308,860,893

Report number 1032

Date of incident: 30/06/23

Location: Alongside the canal at Smithybridge (Hollingworth lake, Rochdale)

Account: “I was dog walking along the canal at Smithybridge. It is a tarmac public footpath, which cars use as a short cut. I had 2 frenchie dogs on leads, not barking. There was one cow half on the path and I was wondering whether to walk behind or turn round and take the 2 mile walk back instead. When I got to approx 5ft from it, it backed up a couple of steps completely blocking the path. When I turned to go back there were approx 8 more behind me. As soon as I turned they started scraping their hooves and mooing. I let go of the dogs, next thing I knew I was knocked (luckily) into a ditch.

I curled up into a fetal ball whilst they circled and tried to stamp on me. The noise was horrendous, I really didn’t think I would survive. Then it went quiet. I was afraid to even look up. I crawled in agony to the cattle grid ( I don’t know the distance but it took me about 30 mins). The dogs were sat waiting. I called a friend to come for me. We took the dogs back to the house and then she took me to hospital. I had 4 fractured ribs, a fractured collar bone and a bust ankle. I stayed overnight but had to look after the dogs, so signed myself out the next day. I called the police to see if they needed it on record…they said no it’s a civil matter.”

She adds “I would like the adverts on tv where there are men/woman stroking cows in a field to stop.”

Cee wants footpaths kept open with electric fencing if cattle are in a field with a footpath.

Response ID 309,769,038

Report number 1040
Date: 8/11/24
Location: imported.perch.cursing Field between long lane and Ennys lane, St Hilary, Cornwall
Cows with calves in the field.

Description: I was walking my dog on a footpath across the field, she was on a lead, she is scared of cows so was pulling away from them. We got herded into the hedge by the cattle and then I got head butted and knocked over. I managed to get out of the field but then realised my phone had been knocked out of my pocket so I had to go back. I tied Kenza up and went to look for it. Unfortunately I was knocked over again and then there was a sustained attack by two or three of them. I really thought my number was up. They were trampling me and head butting. They only stopped when I stopped moving and I eventually managed to crawl to a gateway and escape into another field.”

“I have chipped a tooth, another is very wobbly. I had a nose bleed. I am covered in bruises and can barely walk. This has only just happened so I am not sure of the extent of my injuries.”

Update: Cee has now been assessed at hospital and found to have broken ribs and a broken vertebra as a result of the cow attack – these are significant and serious injuries that will take time to recover from!

Cee would like “warning signs when there are cows with calves in fields with footpaths and footpaths kept open with electric fencing, with fines for farmers who don’t do this.”

“I do think there could be an electric fence particularly when cows with calves are in the field.”

Response ID 309,309,590

Report number 1039

Date of incident: 4/6/92

Location: Easenhall Nr Rugby Warwickshire . Public bridleway. Belgian Blue cows with year old calves in the field.

Report: “My husband and I have walked through this field for many years with our 3 dogs on leads with no problems, our dogs were quiet. This particular day the cows were very noisy and unsettled. They ran down the slope towards us and bowled me over and then l was trampled. My husband managed to drag me away and two of the dogs ran away, one stayed with us.”

“I needed emergency hospital treatment for badly crushed legs and slight concussion. I spent several days in hospital and had treatment over months for ulcerated legs and was off work for 6 months.”

“We informed the farmer and the police and did try for some form of redress but after several months were told as we were fighting the farmers union we had no chance of success and we couldn’t afford to pursue it further. The local paper did a report on this subject. I do think there could be an electric fence particularly when cows with calves are in the field.”

Father’s quality of life severely impacted after a cattle attack nr Chipping Norton

Response ID 308,967,877

Report number: 1036

Date of attack: 15/08/24

Location: Chipping Norton – on a popular public footpath through a field to the left of the London Road as you come into town.

Report: “On 15th August, my 83yr old father was found seriously injured and trampled by cows on a public footpath near Chipping Norton. That accident has fundamentally changed his life. He regularly walked that path through the field by himself as part of his usual 4 mile route. There were sometimes cows in the field – which he simply ignored. On the day of the accident, we don’t know exactly what happened as he doesn’t remember it (nor the following 11 days when he was in hospital). At c. 3.30 in the afternoon he was seen by the farmer’s wife, who sent the farmer out to investigate. It was obvious he was badly hurt, and he was taken to A&E by ambulance. Due to his lack of consciousness and subsequent confusion, I was not called until c. 9.30 that night. When I got to A&E I discovered he had been trampled, resulting in major injuries.”

Serious Injuries and an A and E visit

Incident number: 999

Response ID: 307,458,142

Date of incident: 24.07.24

Location: St Johns in the Vale, Near Keswick Cumbria (What 3 words beads.successes.goodness)

Status: Loan walker with dog on lead on PRW

Mark’s story

“Had been unable to locate the end of the planned public path and so had to follow another public path onto the valley floor and along the side of St John Beck north east of Thirlmere reservoir. After passing through a field with cattle entered another field and after passing a heard of approx. 16 – 18 cattle roughly have adult half calf’s I looked back an noticed they were starting to follow me. This then developed into a gallop with one adult at the front heading towards me. I moved over from the path to an area of reeds and water thinking if I get across they wouldn’t follow but before I got much further the front cow dropped down as I had already slipped down and then crashed into me. It’s head into my left side and I believe one of its knees into my leg”

Mark sustained two broken ribs and tibia plateau fracture in my his leg.

Marks adds “I would like to see improvements in public path signage and maintenance. At the end of the day I would not have had to enter this field to get back to my starting point if the path I wanted which was on the other side of a stone wall with no cattle could of been located.”

Another attack at Belstone! 3 days apart

Report number: 988
Date of incident: 11/9/2024
Location: Belstone – by nine maidens. W3W ///sprouting.split.upstarts on Tarka Trail, Devon

Single aggressive cow – like the near miss 3 days ago

T-P’s Report: “I was running on the main track as I do frequently. There no forewarning that the cow was agitated. I always give any cow a wide berth. My dogs were on a lead. Next thing I knew I felt the full force of a cow charging into me. I let go of dogs when I fell to ground. The cow ignored the dogs and continued to jump and trample and kick me. The cow would not stop the attack. I managed to crawl through the gorse and somehow got on my feet and ran away. I went to A&E and was sent home.”

Wife’s comments: “I want to make folk aware of a cow charge and trample on my husband and dog yesterday. This was totally unprovoked and both dogs were on lead. He was running along and did not even see the cow until he felt it charge into him and knock him over. The cow then repeatedly kicked and trampled on him, until he has was finally able to get up and run. He is a fit, very strong bloke, I don’t think this would be so easy for many of us.

He has sustained a black eye, multiple fractured ribs along with cuts, bruises and countless splinters all over his body.

Sadly one of our dogs has been seriously injured, the foot was almost degloved and had 3 hrs of emergency surgery last night on his leg. We are just taking it day by day with his injury as the outcome isn’t certain, the leg may not be saved. Huge thanks to North Park Veterinary Group for their amazing emergency care.”

This attack has been reported to the police, the farmer, HSE, Dartmoor commoners and the Belstone commoners.

Killer cows hope both man and dog make a good recovery after this completely unprovoked attack; there seems to be a problem with an aggressive cow here, we have a near miss report (number 987) in the same spot 3 days prior, link to it here –https://killercows.co.uk/2024/09/16/julia-thinks-farmers-who-know-they-have-aggressive-cattle-should-be-made-to-graze-their-cattle-away-from-the-public/

!Warning to walkers on Teeside Way Romaldkirk!

Incident number: 945

Response ID: 306,831,907

Date: 08.09.24

Location: On the Teeside Way going out of Romaldkirk (What 3 words ///faces.crusher.bleaching) OS Grid NY 99699 22533

RW’s story

“Two of us were walking on a public footpath with our dog on a lead. We approached the field and saw just a couple of cows immediately ahead of us. As we walked up the footpath one particular black cow got very excited and charged at us. More cows and calves (which would have stopped us coming into the field) appeared. The situation degenerated and we were forced up against a wall. My wife with one dog just got out in time over a fence into the adjacent field next to a cemetery. I was knocked to the ground and I managed to get up and help my dog over a 6. Ft stone wall. I then managed to scramble over the fence my wife had climbed over.

I think I have probably cracked some ribs. I’ve played 30+ years of rugby and I know what a severe rib injury is. This is probably up there with the worst of them.

We’re not naive walkers and we understand the dangers of cows with calves. (My wife was bought up on a dairy farm and knows livestock) As there was no sign we hold the farmer solely responsible for this. He should be prosecuted in the same way I’d be prosecuted if my dog attacked someone or his/her livestock. Changes should be made such that farmers include this information about calves by law. This path was the Teeside Way!!! Not some sleepy backwater. I’d like incidents like this to be recorded and published.”

“I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time”

Report No: 928

Date of Incident: 25/07/24

Location: Newdigate, Surrey, England

Account “I was crossing a field on my own (female 64, very fit) with 2 spaniel dogs on short leads on a footpath. I knew there were cows in the field, couldn’t see a bull, there were some calves but not particularly young, probably about 15-20 cows. I tried to keep as far away from the cows as possible but they started to follow me and gradually caught me up and began to surround me. I let go of the dogs which ran off but the cows did not follow them. One cow pushed me to the ground with its nose and then three or four others joined in head butting me. I curled up in a ball trying to protect myself and stayed still hoping they would lose interest which they did after a while and moved away to a different part of the field.

Janet’s story: Hospitalised for 10 days

Incident number: 915

Response ID: 305,149,576

Date: 27.07.21

Location: Twixt Hutton le Hole and Appleton le Moors, North Yorkshire

This is a historic event but needs telling to warn others of the dangers involved with cows.

Janet had always loved cows and had done this walk on numerous occasions with her husband and her dogs. They were on a public footpath and saw the cows approaching and realising they were in danger, they released the dogs. One of the dogs was so traumatised that it was only found the morning after. Janet’s husband John was headbutted by one of the cattle and was thrown almost 1.5 metres into the air. They then came for Janet. She said “Shoo, shoo, shoo” which made them back off a little, but then one came and knocked her over. Fortunately she was spotted and helped over a fence by off duty firefighter who called an ambulance. Both Janet and John had multiple injuries including fractured ribs and a punctured lung and were both in James Cook Hospital for 10 days. The Police and HSE have both been involved and legal case has been actioned against the farmer.

“Overall it was deeply stressful, we are lucky to be alive!”