Spoiled walks – Page 8 – Cattle Safety

Mum and Daughter narrowly escaped charging cattle.

Incident number 1061
Response ID 311,395,044
Date: 1.11.24
Site: ///remit.page.code

It happened on a public foot path off the allotments in Upton St Leonards Village in Gloucestershire

Account: We entered the public footpath via the gate from the allotments. My 7 year old daughter and I and our dog on the lead started walking along the path. Within seconds of being in the field however the group of cows at the far end of the field (complete opposite side to where the public footpath is) started charging at us. Knowing the dangers of cows I quickly grabbed hold of my daughter and threw her back over the gate. In a state of panic I struggled to open the gate, only just opening it as the cows were right on top of me. I got through and closed the gate with the dog before they could cause any harm. It left my daughter in floods of tears from fright, she is now terrified of cows (and she is an animal lover) she had nightmares that night from it. We have not used that public footpath again from fear.

Mum comments: Warnings should be put on gates if there are cattle in fields that have public footpaths through them.

Another Incident with Duke of Edinburgh walkers

Incident Number: 1055, Response ID 310,532,049

Date of incident: 22/6/24

Location: Around Vale of the White Horse

No dog, 6/10 people

I was on my Duke of Edinburgh practice walk with my group when our map told us to follow a footpath which crossed a cow field containing several brown cows. At first we avoided eye contact with the cows but they began advancing on us. Most of my group successfully made it across the field and over the fence, safe from the cows. However I got left behind, still on the field. The cows surrounded me and I was stuck, every time I took a step they took one towards me and they stared at me and I was so scared I thought they were going to attack me. I didn’t know what to do, I was frozen in place, when one of my group mates threw a branch to distract them. The cows ran away and I quickly made my escape by sprinting to the fence and jumped over and I was safe.

It was such a scary experience and if I had been alone, I wouldn’t have known what to do. Since then I’ve always avoided cows.

Not injured, badly frightened.

Duke of Edinburgh walkers charged at by cattle

Response ID 310,407,936
Incident number 1051

Date: September 2024
Site: The walk began at Cannock chase, but unsure exactly where the incident occurred.
Group of cows, a group of young walkers, no dog

Description: I was doing D of E, we followed the “public footpath” sign and it took us to the field full of cows approximately 10 -15, I’m not sure. Unknowing what was about to happen me and my group strolled through the field, when suddenly the cattle chased us, they kept running at us and my friend managed to stop them. I was in tears as I was so scared. They chased us for a second time when we were trying to exit the field (we could not find the gate). Due to my state of confusion and how scared I was, I stayed at the back trying to find the exit and then they ran at us again. I had to throw my rucksack and me over a fence and it was so uncomfortable to do so. This was very frightening.
This incident was reported to the group leader.

Comment: I am now severely frightened of cows

AJ thinks there should be a fence between cows and walkers

Response ID 310,379,901
Incident number 1049

Date: 28.04.24
Site: On the South West Coast path near Mawnan Smith, Cornwall. By Cows Beach, NT land I think
Group of heifers. 2 walkers, 1 dog

AJ’s report: We walked quietly straight along the footpath at the base of the field. The dog was on a leash; it doesn’t interact with other animals anyway. The cows ran down the hill towards us and continued to follow us. We walked more quickly and had to make strange sounds to keep them at bay. The only thing that kept them back was the leash my friend started to swing around as a last resort. At one point she shouted stop, while showing a stop hand signal, and the nearest cow seemed to understand it. They kept coming towards us, and it looked like they were trying to hunt us down as their eyes were very focused. I went from scared to terrified. I remember having the thought that the situation was going to end badly for us.
We were on a frequently used footpath so think there should be a fence between the cows and walkers. There was a woman on tv tonight who said walkers should respect the cows and that really upset me, we are always respectful and we did nothing wrong. I hope she normally has something more helpful to say and her words were just badly edited.”

Killer Cows comments: We agree with your comment AJ on the need for a fence between cows and walkers. If anyone experiences any cattle incident PLEASE report it to your MP, the area you’re walking through (in this case SW Coastal path) and HSE. So many incidents are unreported and unknown about – therefore it is believed there are few problems with cattle – we know differently!

https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

https://support.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/portal/s/report-a-problem

https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm

Concerned walker “those cows should not have been grazing in the area open to the public.”

Response ID 310,135,896
Incident number 1043

Date: 16.11.24
Site: Colyton, Devon. Walking by the river just outside of the town.
Group of Heifers, 2 walkers, no dog.

Report: “We were walking on a footpath along the riverside at around 16:00. There was a large herd of heifers, two were head butting each other in the middle of the path. There were lots of cows 20-30 in a large open field/space. We were cautious and trying to gauge their behaviour. One cow came running down the hill. We walked quickly around the edge of the field to avoid the animals. The cow moved aggressively towards us. We climbed over the fence and into a scrubby woodland patch. The cow did stop but was mooing and other cows came up to the woodland area. We scrambled through the scrub/woodland and came out onto a parallel road running above. We were lucky and made good decisions, giving us time to escape. It would have been very differing we had young children and/or a dog.

We are experienced walkers and have grown up in rural areas. In my opinion, those cows should not have been grazing in the area open to the public. It is far too close to Colyton and other people may end up having a more dangerous experience.”

Killer Cows comment: This is a near miss and could easily have resulted in a serious attack, we recommend that all incidents are reported to the Health and Safety Executive https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm plus inform the local MP and Devon Council https://www.devon.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/report-a-problem/map/map_src/prow/

RA:”I am not against free grazing but following my experience it should have some form of physical barrier.”

Response ID 310,135,319
Report number: 1042

Date of incident: 15.11.24
Site: Burbage Bridge footpath in the Peak District just outside Sheffield

RA’s Report: “A group of four were walking on a damp foggy day, we set off through the gated footpath and immediately saw a cow in the valley below, I immediately put my dog on the lead, the cow stayed where it was. Our group became separated, 2 in front by about 100 meters, I could see the front 2 people were closing in on a group of cows, I now know they walked through the middle of the group of cattle. Our friends were waiting for us just beyond the cattle, we approached slowly with our dog on a short lead and I immediately felt threatened.”

Lisa will never go through a field of cows on her own again.

Response ID 308,966,531

Report number: 1034

Date of incident: 11/05/24

Location: Firle, near Lewes, Sussex

Lisa’s account: “I was walking solo on one of my favourite routes, making my way up to Firle Beacon on the South Downs Way. The path between Glynde and Firle takes you through a small field on the Firle estate, where there is usually a flock of sheep. This time, I could see that there was a herd of cows right at the other end of the field, and I wasn’t sure if they were on the other side of the fence. They were standing still so I figured I’d be ok. As I got halfway across, one cow turned to look at me then started walking towards me. Then it started trotting. I remember saying, “Oh no…” as it got faster, and others started to follow it.

I knew that the rule was not to run, but as they gathered speed, I decided in a split second to make a run for the gate. As they thundered behind me, I screamed as I ran. The field is next to a cricket pitch and behind a pub but no one heard me. I got through the gate in the nick of time and turned round to find a washed-out sign saying BEWARE – and then some unintelligible marker writing. I could just make out SUGGEST ALTERNATIVE ROUTE. As I stood there looking at the herd, the farmer drove into the field from the other side and proceeded to feed them. They obviously thought I was bringing their food. I was so stunned I didn’t go over to complain to him and continued my walk but I will never go through a cow field on my own again.”

Lisa would like “Proper signage from the farmer, if they are unable to cordon the animals off. In this case, there was an alternative route, and I could’ve taken it (if it had been properly signed), but by the time I realised there was a problem, it was too late.”

“I think that farmers should be more responsible about placing their stock where there is a public right of way”

Response ID 308,779,200

Report number 1030

Date of incident 30/06/24

Location: On public footpath above Berry Pomeroy Village, (nr Totnes)

Report: “We were returning from Berry Pomeroy castle to Totnes and took the marked footpath through a field that led down to Berry Pomeroy Village. Although there was a sign to keep dogs on a lead (it was just us two) and cow pats; there were no visible signs of cattle.

We had walked over the ridge and about half way down the field towards the exit gate and spotted around 50 cows (mainly Friesians) standing at the base of the field in the shade. We then noticed a young cow get up by the gate and proceed to walk to the herd who then surrounded it before they all decided to walk up the field towards us. Having walked half way downhill and realising that they were all heading towards us, we realised we would not be able to get down to the gate and needed to turn back up the hill. We calmly walked back up the hill with the herd some distance away but they were moving so quickly that we realised there was no way out – due to the hedge and barbed wire fencing. Just before they got to us we spotted a small gap in the hedge and managed to scramble under the barbed wire and over some more before ending up in nettles that enabled us to get to the adjacent field. Feeling very frightened and stung we got home that way.

Fortunately it was only two of us but had a family or young children been doing that walk or anyone with a dog the whole situation would have resulted in a serious situation. I was terrified. My partner took a video of the incident with them surrounding us at the hedge where we had crawled to.

The Local Authority were really helpful and I also reported it to https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm regarding a public right of way, but did not hear from them.

We are really keen walkers and love visiting different places. We are close to Dartmoor and I now have a phobia of walking in open spaces when spotting cow pats or cows grazing. In the past I would think nothing of walking around cattle and feeling safe. I think that farmers should really be more responsible about placing their stock where there is a public right of way as these incidents are becoming increasingly frequent. I fully appreciate that farmers are entitled to earn a living but not at the detriment of the public’s safety. We are always fully compliant and respectful of the environment when we are walking and always follow the marked footpaths. These incidents do seem to fall on deaf ears so I would like there to be stricter legislation brought out in order that we can enjoy our environment safely. On an occasion in Dorset we had to take a busy main road back to our camp in the dark as the public footpath went through a field with a huge black bull in it.”

Cows aren’t always visible when you enter a field.

Response ID 308,617,615

Report number: 1028

Date of incident: 21/10/24

Location: We were walking along the riverside from Grassington to Burnsall, in the Yorkshire Dales

Report: “A group of us were walking through the field, we had a dog on a lead. There were no warning signs to let us know cattle were grazing. We could see two cows in the far distance up a hill and we couldn’t see any other cows at this point. As we walked further my partner said, oh there’s lots of cows heading this way. They were moving quite fast and they started trotting. I turned around and walked calmly and quickly back to the gate. Two other people started running. My partner stayed with my elderly father in law and hurried to get him out as the cows were now right behind them mooing and swishing their tales. It was very scary. We felt if we’d gone further in the field the consequences would have been very different.

Signage should be clearly visible warning walkers that cattle are grazing. And to warn people especially those who have dogs that they could potentially be at risk.”

Killer Cows state: All too often cattle present in a field will spoil or stop a walk. So-called “experts” will advise you to assess the cows before entering the field – well that couldn’t work here. “Experts” ask you to assess whether they are just curious or after food – but are you going to stand in a field and wait for them to get to you to see if they are angrily trotting towards you or not? The solution is clear – separate walkers and cattle, with a fence if the cows have to be in that field. It is illegal to block or obstruct a public right of way, cattle that stop you walking are illegal.

It wasn’t funny at the time… two over 50s sprinting and vaulting!!!

Incident number: 1023

Response ID: 308,506,417

Date of incident: 9.06.2024

Location: The walk was one mapped out by the local pub ‘The Smoker Inn’. According to the photo I took, the location was Wood Tenement Farm, Pinfold Lane, Plumley WA16 9RR.

Status: Two people without a dog on a PROW

Our reporter said

“When we entered the field the cows were quite a distance away in a far corner, we walked quietly across the field to the next gate (following instructions). The cows started to walk towards us, at first a 2 or 3 then more and more of them, so we quickened our pace. In the end we had to run as they were running after us, we just about managed to climb the fence. It’s possible they were curious but there were lots of them and if one of us had fallen there was a possibility we’d be trampled. These are big animals, lots of them, running at speed. My friend and I are in our 50s, so not really up for a chase and a pole vault over a gate. At the time it wasn’t funny, it was pretty scary and I’d think twice about crossing a field with cows in again.”

Useful Information/ warning about a Vale of Glamorgan walk

Incident number: 1026

Response ID: 308,535,620

Date of incident: 31.03.23

Location: Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. Using the Vale Trail route 9

Status: More than 10 people with no dog

Our reporter stated “The cows started staring at us and snorting and then advanced towards us and surrounding us. They came very close, then another cow started running towards us, but headed off the cows that were surrounding us. It was terrifying. We thought we’d be safe because it was a public walkway printed on the Vale Trail Website on the Councils main website. I reported it to the Vale of Glamorgan Council and asked that they could reroute the walk as I explained the cows were aggressive, it took some time for the council to acknowledge and they explained that the farmer was not getting back to them, they did say that they would warn the public by stating that t the walk includes cattle on the route, I contacted them again to say it was not enough and they said that they had contacted the farmer again and written a letter, but the farmer had not replied. There would have been room to segregate the cows from the public to keep the public safe. Check out www.valeofglamorgan.co.uk and select valetrails route 9

Please! Please! Please! Segregate the cows from the public. Walking the Vale Trails should be safe and a place for walkers to enjoy. The farmer should have placed notices of vulnerable times of the year when cows might have been particularly aggressive/protective, but no warning was provided.”

Another Belstone Dartmoor encounter

Incident number: 1018

Response ID: 308,473,978

Date of incident: 19.10.24

Location: On Dartmoor above Belstone. On a path used by other walkers going downhill into valley to cross a stream.

Status: A group of 3-5 people with Dog on Lead on PROW

Peter’s story which was reported to Dartmoor Councillors

“We were walking on Dartmoor having entered the moor from Belstone. We passed various cattle without incident. We decided to use a path going down to a valley bottom in order to get back to Belstone. On a very narrow part of the path we were suddenly aware of cattle behind us led by adult cow. We stood aside on bank to let them through, me on the other side of the path from the others. We had no means of escape. The lead cow bellowed and started attacking me with feet and head. I fell in to scrub and then fell over an edge in to an area lower down which probably saved me from serious injury from the cow. My friends screamed at the cows and my partner hit the attacker cow repeatedly with her coat. The cows then turned and went off. I had grazing to my legs under my jeans and bruising I think to my ribs in my back. I managed to walk back to the car at Belstone.”

He adds “Warning signs should be erected, although we couldn’t have predicted the attack and we weren’t being followed by cattle when we took the path going downhill. As it was on Dartmoor I assume the cattle can’t be confined.”