Report number: 984
Date of incident: July 2024
Location: Fields near Thorncombe, Dorset
Report: “I walk my dog daily on footpaths around the village. Many of these footpaths run across the middle of fields and there have been several times when I have found cows threatening and frightening. The cows are moved frequently in and out of different fields, so it is unpredictable where they are likely to be. They are also often densely grazed in large numbers. As I have become more anxious about the threatening behaviour of these cows, I avoid entering fields containing cows whenever possible. In the recent case, in July, I had been for a long walk, and when I found there were cows in one of the fields on my way home, I could not see an alternative route and did not want to have to walk all the way back the way I came. The cows initially looked quite docile and not too close to the path, so I entered the field and walked along by the path but closer to the fence. A cow saw me and started to move towards me, then others noticed and followed. I became worried and as they grouped together and picked up speed towards me I ducked under the barbed wire fence and tried to continue on the other side, however this was alongside the river (River Synderford) and the undergrowth stopped me from continuing that side. I luckily found a large fallen tree branch and got back into the field. By waving the branch and shouting I was able to keep the cows back and reach the stile out of the field. I kept my dog on the lead with me all the time, as I didn’t feel it would have helped to let him loose.”
Additional comments: “I think warning signs should be used (though not as a ruse to prevent walkers using footpaths.) It should be made clear that walkers are entitled to go off footpaths and into neighbouring fields if necessary to avoid cows. Electric fences could be used to create safe routes to allow walkers to pass through, or around, fields containing cows. I also believe that all fields containing livestock should have signs giving a name and contact number to be used both to report an animal in distress, or escaped, as well as those endangering the public. It is currently impossible much of the time to know who owns the animals, or which farm they belong to, so you have no idea who to contact.”
Category: Spoiled walks
Mrs Williams is chased by bullocks
Report Number: 982
Date of incident: 29/6/2024
Location: ///highways.viewer.call Nr St Buryan, Cornwall
Report: “Two of us were walking along a public footpath. We had got half way across the field when cows came round from a connecting field, they were a group of bullocks and they ran to us at the stile, I had our dog in my arms the whole time. Then we ran to a gate at the far end of the field so we could get into the next field and escape from them, unfortunately the gate for the cattle was open and they continued to chase us across that field.”
Comment: “I have a video of this. The footpaths were badly marked, I don’t think many people use this path. But it is on ordnance survey. I carry my dog when ever I see cows.”
Henry wants more protection for walkers so they can cross fields safely.
Report number: 979
Date of incident: 30/6/2017
Location: ///Leopard.Riverboat.Soonest. Between Stanton Prior, BA2 9HT and Bath Spa University campus,
Group of cows involved, black angus, red angus, Angus/Hereford cross, lone walker, no dog
Report: “I had passed through the field the day before and observed the cows were very alert and territorial, despite there being no observable calves. On that occasion I decided to leave the field through a fence as I was uncomfortable walking further. The day of the attack I was walking in the opposite direction, from Stanton Prior to Bath Spa University, where I was a student. I entered the field via the footpath and saw the cows on the far side of the field, approx. 400m away. With so much distance between us I felt reasonably ok about walking through, despite my encounter with them the previous day. However, as I continued to walk, keeping a close eye at all times, they gradually began to notice my presence and turned towards me. I kept walking as they were still far away, but then the herd began to move in my direction. I had already picked an exit point to get to if needed and I began to slowly move in the direction of the gap in the hedgerow by the fence. As I was moving away they began to run towards me in a long line, with one cow breaking off and running down the fence line. I was able to get over the fence just before the cow reached me. Had I not been aware of the herd’s previous behaviour and picked an exit route, I’m not sure I would have made it away unscathed. The hedgerow was thick and there were long stretches without exit points. The method the cattle used with one running along the fence line and the remainder spread out and running towards the fence line would have made outrunning them very difficult. I had no dog, was moving cautiously and always keeping distance. In other words this was totally unprovoked and potentially very serious. I filmed the entire encounter as I was so concerned something might happen.”
“I informed the farmer who didn’t take the incident seriously and told me how nice the cows were. This incident totally changed the way I walk in the country, especially around livestock. I will not enter a field with cows again as a result of this.”
Henry comments ” there should be more signage, more communication that this can happen to anyone, not just dog walkers. More exit routes in fields. Ideally more protection for ramblers/walkers so they can cross fields in safety. I used the route as my commute to university and work. Without crossing the field, my walk increased from 20 minutes to 1hr. I had no other method of transportation.”
Raced at by bullocks
Report number: 978
Incident date: 5/9/2022
Location: Berry Pomeroy – walking on public right of way path from the village up through huge field to head towards castle.
Lone walker, dog on lead.
Report: “The field from the village is huge and slopes up so you cannot see when entering if livestock are in there. It’s a circular walk from Berry Pomeroy village to the castle and back. As I got to the brow of the hill I saw a huge group of (what I presume were) bullocks They were a long way off but when they saw me they came racing down and started bombing me and hitting the hedge around me and my dog. I was about 20m away from the gate so I ran for it as they were getting more aggressive. I just managed to get through the gate and they ran into the gate after me (colliding with it.) I was terrified. Stupidly I didn’t take my dog off lead.”
“I had to get a friend to drive to collect me as the only way back to village was along a well-used B road that people use as a rat run to Paignton/Torbay and that has no footpaths. The bullocks were still at gate when my friend picked me up an hour later from the castle. I’m surprised no one has been killed in that field. A notice should be put up to warn hikers! I’ve never gone back.”
Cows give chase
Report number: 977
Date of incident:30/8/2024
Location: Lugwardine, field next to river Lugg, Herefordshire
Group of cows, no dog, 2 people.
Report: “We entered the field and didn’t see the cows immediately as they were at the other end and around a curve in the path. When we saw them I got my son to walk nearer to me. We couldn’t see the exit on the path so we stopped and decided to keep well away from the herd and cut across diagonally away from them. Then they stopped eating and all looked at us, then started to run at us, still a distance away. I told my son to run and I was more of a jog and they chased us but when we went back around the curve in the field they didn’t keep up the chase. I knew cows could be dangerous but never actually had an incident like this, scary with an 8 year old.”
Patricia J wants to raise awareness of the many lesser incidents caused by cattle
Report number: 976
Date of incident: 28/2/2017
Location: Approximate grid reference SD 96391 18581. Part of the Pennine Way at Blackstone Edge, Littleborough, nearest postcode OL15 0LG.
3 walkers, no dog.
Report “We were taking a leisurely walk on the Pennine Way public pathway, along the moors between Blackstone Edge and Light Hazzles Reservoir, with my partner’s elderly mother, who was visiting with us. Although fit for her age, Ruth was in her late 70s at the time. We wanted to show her the view of our cottage from the path, which, there and back, should have been an approximately 20 minute walk.”
“Having shown her the breath-taking view, we had just begun the walk back when we saw the path ahead was now blocked by a large group of mostly horned cattle. The amount of them – around 15 – was intimidating, particularly as many were horned and staring at us. They began to move towards us when we attempted to edge towards them. As they were straddled across the only path between very wild, stony and wet, peaty terrain, we had no real choice except to turn and go in the opposite direction. We ended up walking over six miles to get back to our car. My elderly Mother in law really struggled. She never complained but it was clear she was in some pain and it really badly affected her walking ability for months afterwards.”
“Although this happened some years ago, I believe it’s still relevant to report this incident. At the time we didn’t know who to contact or report it to. There were no warning signs, if there had been, we probably would have avoided the area. neither was there any clear indication of who the cattle belonged to. The moorland there is public and very popular with walkers, so I believe it’s likely there’s been many other unreported incidents. We’ve seen the cows up there, from a distance, quite a few times, including earlier this year (and avoided walking there as a result).”
“Although luckily, none of us were directly injured, our encounter did have a bad and long-lasting impact, particularly on my mother-in-law’s health and confidence. I believe my mother-in-law saw her GP when she returned home, as she was still suffering considerable leg/back pain weeks later.”
“The truly horrific injuries rightfully should make the headlines, but there should also be awareness of the many lesser incidents that go unreported. I applaud your campaign for shining a light on these.”
“I wish there was some sort of law to ensure farmers take responsibility for keeping their animals safely penned in particularly when close to or on public land/paths. We live in a semi-rural area and often encounter loose horses and sheep as well as the odd cow. It’s frightening for us and also terrifying – and often injurious – for the animals concerned. Thank you for campaigning to bring more awareness to this issue.”
5 bullocks leaping towards Grace!
Report number: 975
Date of incident: 8/8/2024
Location: ///outreach.cabbies.bullion Nr Burton, Pembrokeshire
Report: ” I was on holiday in this area, so not familiar with it. I followed a public footpath sign, which took me over a stile into a field, my map indicated the exit was at the top middle of the field. I had a sense the footpath was fairly unused, as the access to the stile was overgrown. There was no clear path once in the field, so I stuck to the left edge. At the top of the field there was an adjoining field separated by a waist high barbed wire fence in which 5 large bullocks (I think) were grazing. I saw them from about 50m and slowed my walk and aimed to walk further away from the fence towards the exit at the top of the field – always on the other side of the fence to them. However, my presence startled one of them which then startled all of them and they ran away from me. The field they were in was quite small which meant that when they got to the edge of it they then turned back round together and ran towards the fence separating the two fields we were respectively in. All five bullocks jumped the waist high barbed wire fence into the field I was stood in, about 15m away from me!
This all happened really quickly. I am extremely lucky they seemed to have just been spooked rather than aggressive towards me and so ran across the field in a different direction. I assume this happened, I didn’t see as I was extremely panicked, adrenaline kicked in and I ran back in the direction I came (I am 30yo and fairly fit), it was the only viable exit about 100m away, the hedge was too dense to get through/too high to climb. I was very fortunate to have gotten away uninjured, but, as I watched them jump the fence I mentally prepared myself to be trampled and probably die. I have never been so scared.”
“I didn’t report the incident as I wasn’t aware there was anyone to report to.”
“In this case, a dated sign at the beginning of the footpath to alert me to the risk would’ve been valuable. I would’ve likely not got into the field. I think locals don’t use it, but unsuspecting holiday makers might.”
HD: “This incident has made me nervous in a place where I previously felt entirely comfortable.”
Report Number: 974
Date of incident: 31/7/2024
Location: handwriting.tortoises.unwraps – Location is somewhat approximate, but I was heading downhill on the public bridleway from the Pennine Way above Moorfield towards the junction with Derbyshire Level.
Report: “I was walking downhill on the public bridleway – a walk I do everyday in the evening during which I have never seen anything but sheep in this particular section – when I spotted a lone cow almost directly parallel to me across the gully. The cow spotted me and began to move at the same pace. When I sped up slightly, as I had begun to feel frightened, the cow matched my speed. This continued until we approached the point where our paths were due to converge. By this point I was rather scared, so I started to run. The cow copied my actions and rushed towards me. I was forced to break into a sprint and head for the gate. The land is very rough there and I stumbled a few times with the cow still on my tail. Luckily I was just far enough ahead to make it to safety. When I reached the gate I threw myself over it and the cow suddenly stopped short and simply continued to stare. My experience is not much compared with the awful ordeals of others listed here, but I was really terrified for a few minutes and I developed palpitations shortly afterwards. It has made me very wary of returning to a walk I had been enjoying as part of my regular exercise for months.
I now make my ascent on the other side of the valley and use Wormstones as a vantage point to determine whether there are any cows present on that day in the way of my descent. If so, I adjust my circular walk and am forced to complete a linear route instead. It has made me nervous in a place where I previously felt entirely comfortable and which was very beneficial for my mental health.
Put simply cows should never be in a field with public access. That is the only solution in my view. Better signage and communication from the farmer can still not wholly prevent injury and death to walkers simply wishing to enjoy the outdoors unmolested. I would also like to see farmers held to account more rigorously for serious incidents.”
This happens every summer in this area of Derbyshire
Incident number: 960
Response ID: 306,985,266
Date: Repeated dangers over the past 15 years
Location: New Mills, Derbyshire, SK22 4QE SJ989866 w3w inert.cornfield.games
Simon F’s story
“I’ve not put a date in this report – it’s every summer! We avoid this particular farm from May to November each year because of the aggressive bullocks they keep in the fields. The initial incident occurred when we were walking along a popular local footpath to a bench called Peggy’s Pew. The path crosses the field diagonally and the bullocks approached us, cut off the path and began to charge at us. We half held our ground and half retreated until we were at the field wall, which we then climbed to escape. Since then we enter fields around this farm cautiously and if we see the groups of bullocks approaching we turn round, leave the field and go elsewhere. If we are just doing a local walk with no real itinerary then diverting is possible. But this is not always the case for everyone and not the case for us when we’re further afield. It is not just this farm. It seems cows and bullocks are becoming increasingly aggressive. We have been chased near Whaley Bridge and took refuge in a hawthorn hedge – not sure which farm. We diverted and climbed a fence after finding bullocks blocking the track out the field at Woodends Farm above Wood Lanes near Poynton. In the same area at Platt Wood Farm I’ve left a field where the cows packed it out with no spare space and walked through the field parallel. And I see it on Strava too – runners or walkers having incidents. Last week someone’s walk was cut short by cows (Rocks Farm off Whaley Moor) or last summer someone out with their young daughter in a pushchair had to leap a fence with pushchair to avoid cows. But when you read the sad stories on this website, and given the increasing frequency of incidents, I agree with your campaign’s argument that it should be the farmer that is responsible for stopping these incidents occurring and not blocking footpath access with aggressive cattle.”
Walking back to Combs Valley campsite – badly frightened
Incident number: 954
Response ID: 306,984,422
Date: 06.05.24
Location: Near Chapel en le Frith Derbyshire (What 3 words ///entry.meanders.cried)
KB’s story
“Two of us were walking back to combs valley campsite from the nearby golf course. We didn’t have a dog with us. Once in the same “fenced off area” as the cows, we noticed them dancing about but they were quite far off so we didn’t worry. There was a row of trees which we walked on the other side of from the cows. This meant we didn’t see them coming but suddenly they burst out from the main part of the field and we found ourselves stuck between the trees/bushes and a group of at least 5-7 angry looking cows. The leader of which seemed determined to hit us. My partner wanted to run but I stopped and started talking calmly to the cow, facing it. After an intense face off the lead cow decided to run away and the rest of them followed. We then quickly scrambled to the nearest fence and climbed over it with a tree, scraping ourselves mildly in the process. We weren’t injured but have been both since quite scared of any pasture with cows and now often avoid them and walk on roads. We met the farmer on our way out who said they were young cows and was friendly but also seemed to laugh it off, while we were just so happy to be out of there unharmed.”
Hadrian’s wall – diverted from national trail because of cattle
Incident number: 951
Response ID: 306,983,569
Date: 06.05.24
Location: Approx Grid ref 334592 – Hadrian’s Wall path near Beaumont
JRT’s Story
“Two of us were walking along Hadrian’s wall with our dog on a lead. A group of young cattle charged towards us as soon as we entered the field. They came thundering over and fortunately we were able to leave the field the way we came in. The path – a national trail – was blocked by these animals and we and other walkers had to track back along the road as there was no other option.”
Scared walker -“Either fence the cattle off from the path or do not put them in a field with a public footpath.”
Incident number: 941
Date of incident: 30/6/2024
Location: Gregynog Estate near Tregynon, Powys. Footpath between Skew Bridge and Gregynog Estate footbridge.
Group of cattle – “I don’t know what. No time to stop and look.”
No dog, single walker.
Account: “I was walking bang on the path. I know because I have GPS. The cows approached me at a trot. I had no stick so I had to wave my coat. They speeded up. It was terrifying. I was so scared I was screaming at them to GO AWAY, waving my coat at them. They just kept running at me from different angles. I had nowhere to go. It is a big field and I wasn’t near any edge.”
Further comment: “Either fence the cattle off from the path or do not put them in a field with a public footpath.”
Cattle Safety 