Two academic researchers discuss their findings This excellent article sums up our current state of knowledge and recommends actions for the future.
When cows attack: how dangerous are cattle and how can you stay safe around them?
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Carri Westgarth, University of Liverpool and Marie McIntyre, University of Liverpool
A well-respected retired academic was recently trampled to death by cattle while walking in Oxford. In 2012, my father was hospitalised after being attacked by cows while walking his dogs through a field next to his village. He picked up his dog and was pushed to the floor and trampled before escaping over a wall.
My colleague, Marie, meanwhile, is a keen cross-country runner, and regularly runs with her dog (or is chased) through fields where both dairy and beef cattle graze. These kinds of incident raise questions about the safety of the public near livestock. And we asked these same questions when we conducted research on this very topic.
There are about 9.7m cattle in the UK. Meanwhile, 3.6 billion people annually visit the countryside, with dog walking accounting for 51% of visits. This means that the general public are likely regularly to encounter livestock.
The drive towards healthy living and outdoor pursuits, footpaths crossing farmland, and the introduction of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act), which promotes public access to “open country”, all encourage countryside activities. At the same time, more and more people grow up in an urban environment, and may not have often experienced livestock. This could lead to more problematic interactions between people and animals.
The facts
So how often do cattle attack people, and what proportion of attacks are fatal? Are there particular risk factors? And what guidance is publicly available on how to behave near cattle?
We searched newspaper reports over two decades, and identified 54 separate attacks by cattle on members of the public out walking. Of these, 24% were fatal. Injuries included fractures from kicking, lacerations, punctured lungs, bruising, black eyes, joint dislocation, nerve damage and unconsciousness.
But how does this compare with official statistics? The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports deaths, not attacks. They say that on average four to five people are killed in accidents involving cattle each year, with 74 fatal attacks since 2000. Most were farm workers, but a quarter (24%) of these deaths were members of the public walking on footpaths or commonly used rights of way. The government agency also comments on the under-reporting of this issue, due to a lack of awareness of the need to report a cattle attack as a “workplace” injury.
People may think that bulls are most likely to attack – remember the beginning of Ferdinand the Bull. But while they cause more fatalities among farm workers, both official reports and our work suggest that this is not the case for people out walking.
Where recorded, 91% of HSE reported fatalities on the public were caused by cows with calves; only one death involved a bull, and even this was unproven in court. Of all attacks, we found that 48% were caused by (unspecified) herds, followed by single cows (22%), cows and calves (20%), heifers (7%), and one bull attack (2%). Behavioural research suggests maternal defensive aggression may be behind many attacks.
The dog factor
Does having a dog make a difference? Yes: dogs look like predators, and they are even more threatening to dairy cattle than unfamiliar people. This is reflected in the data: 94% of walkers killed had dogs, and two thirds of all attacks involved dogs. Though our sample numbers were small, we also found evidence suggesting that women were more likely to protect their dogs, while men let them go – the recommended advice, which my dad did not follow.
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Does cattle breed make a difference? The HSE says not: the rate of fatalities did not differ for dairy and beef breeds. Both UK industries are highly dominated by certain breeds, such as Holstein and Aberdeen Angus, but farmers report that continental breeds, such as Limousin and Charolais are more highly strung. These are imported into the UK for beef production, and are likely to be more extensively farmed and handled less than dairy cattle, exacerbating any behavioural issues.
So what advice is provided to the public about cattle? The countryside is a great place for exercise, including with dogs, but must be treated with respect. It’s every owner’s duty to make sure that their dog is not a nuisance to farm animals, wildlife or other people.
It’s impractical to expect farmers never to keep cattle where the public can access, but the HSE advises that wherever possible, they should avoid keeping cows and calves in fields with public footpaths, and appropriate signage and protected walkways should be considered.
They also highlight the main risk factors we mention, further noting that when stressed by the weather, illness or unusual disturbance, cattle can become aggressive too. We found wide variation in countryside guidelines for the public, but many reproduced The Countryside Code.
One area lacking clear guidance is that of dog control near cattle. After a peak of attacks in 2009, the National Farmers Union began to advise keeping dogs on leads around cattle, but releasing them if chased or threatened.
Interestingly, a new sign stating this eventually appeared in the place where my dad was attacked after more incidents had occurred. Fortunately, the only long-term effects for him were a bruised ego during family referrals to “Cowgate” and dogs who shake in fear of cows on TV.
But what is the long-term future for cattle attack research? First, a well-designed, official system to document accidents is required; evidence for risk factors could then be properly assessed, and used to develop better guidance to reduce attacks. In the meantime, remember your dog can run faster than you – let it go.
Carri Westgarth, Research Fellow in Human-Animal Interaction, University of Liverpool and Marie McIntyre, Research Associate Epidemiologist, University of Liverpool
This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Cattle Safety 
I believe it would be fairly easy and inexpensive for farmers to cordon off a path for walkers along the edge of fields with electric fencing which would sort this problem. There is simply no need to mix walkers (with and without dogs) and cattle.
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Myself and family 4 Adults and 3 children were walking from Housel Bay to Cadgwith in Cornwall along the coastal path. My daughter and grand daughter were lagging behind a little. When we looked back we saw a black and white cow charging around the path behind us among some bushes in the opposite direction. My husband and son in law ran back to find my daughter and grand daughter. As they approached they could see them being chased by the cow/ young bull. They eventually were able to escape the chase by jumping into a clearing in a field. They were terrified and feared for their life. They had no means of escape on the narrow path with shear drops on one side and bramble hedges on the other. This could have ended up in a total disaster. We noticed the fencing along the path had lots of gaps in it and fortunately there were not many walkers on path that day. It has been reported to relevant authorities. There really is nothing that could prepare you for this type of event. Hopefully our complaint is taken seriously and some action is taken with regard to safety and fencing.
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What a terrifying experience, Margaret. I’m glad your family escaped without serious harm and hope the fence is repaired soon. Please would you consider filling in our reporting questionnaire, so we can add this awful story to our data store. https://killercows.co.uk/page/
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I lived in the gorgeous area of Malvern for a time; I am a rancher from Texas. I encountered a herd that was aggressive on one of your lovely walking paths through Hanley Swan.
Most of my cows (Brangus) will eat from my hand (gentle & friendly), but even they, when consumed by the thought I’m there to feed them as a group, will, as a herd, run full-tilt towards me. Shouting and waving both arms out to your sides, especially with the aid of anything in your hands that can help make you more imposing (or even just noticeable) works to dissuade them.
Most cows usually stick around in hopes of a treat (feed), but once close by, aren’t quite as formidable and will shy away upon a direct, aggressive approach. If not, slowly move away, which had to be the tactic in Hanley Swan.
I have never had this experience in Switzerland, where I’ve also lived, walking through grazing lands… I don’t know why, except to muse maybe those ranchers/farmers do what I do: use a signal to let my cows know I’m in the field to supplement their diets with feed. It is possible to teach a herd using what amounts to a Pavlovian method. I did it after realizing the problem I’d created. Now my children, my husband, & I can walk throughout the property without having to keep an eye out for a rapidly-approaching herd of small tanks.
As far as bulls go, I have no advice, as I have no experience with bad or aggressive bulls. I’ve only ever owned very docile boys which were raised by ranchers more like myself, and which have the genetic tendencies that lead them to be better suited to my hands-on approach.
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Hi
My partner and I have just had a very scary experience in Oswestry. We were sat having a picnic in a field when we saw a group of about 50 cows running into the field. They were heading up the hill but when they saw us they turned and began running towards us. At first I thought they were just being inquisitive until I looked into their eyes. We jumped up and stood behind two trees. My partner flapped the blanket we had been sitting on and this kept them at bay as we slowly made our way to the stone wall that surrounded the field. It was very scary and I will never go in a field with cows again.
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Glad you escaped unharmed. We know how frightening these experiences can be.
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I have been confronted on several occasions with herds but I never run, that is when you get trampled. I am only 5’1 but I stand my ground and try to make myself look big (as difficult as the latter is!) I usually have a walking pole so I wave my arms and shout. So far this has worked but I’m hoping I’ve not just been lucky.
A farmer once said you only need to stand still, silent and just look at them but I haven’t quite been brave enough to try that.
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That’s a good technique. Won’t stop a full-on stampede unfortunately. We all need to be very cautious around cows.
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Just been chased off a coastal footpath by a herd with calves. Very scary experience and they were very threatening. My partner assumed they were just interested in us but they were defiantly chasing us away
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Sorry to hear this Lucy. Glad you are OK.
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21/5/2023
Walking my two Spaniels as I do everyday, past the same herd….yesterday however was different and for some reason 3 females ran at my dogs who happened to be near me, blowing out of their nostrils. I took this as a warning and turned to walk away but one decided that wasn’t good enough and chased me. I just kept running until she gave up the chase. When I was a fair distance away I stopped to catch my breath she was just standing and staring,making sure I carried on walking away. The scary part was that I was on Moorland with no safe place to climb or get out of harm’s way. It was 07.30…warm but not hot. Yes the herd had youngsters but not new borns. This incident happened in Cornwall, near Minions.
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Sorry to hear this Debbie. These confrontations can be frightening. Glad you’re OK.
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Hi Debbie I was out walking with my two spaniels nearThe Morris Leisure campsite in Poston Mill. My dogs were both on short leads when I encountered a herd of cows with calves – about 30 strong. Immediately I realised they were not happy as they started walking quickly towards me, the quicker I moved, the quicker they did. Fortunately just as they got very close I saw a farm gate and quickly went through it, they all congregated at the gate making a lot of noise. I thought I was safe when another herd came from behind some farm buildings probably to see what all the fuss was about and surrounded me blocking any route of escape (tall hedge and brambles behind me). I have to say I’m not easily scared but this was the most frightening experience of my life. My only defence, and I’m really not sure what else I could have done, was to shout and scream for help. It took 15 minutes or so before an elderly farmer came to my rescue and shooed them away. He muttered something along the lines of they’re just interested in you etc but that was definitely not the case! My life and that of my dogs was in danger I am absolutely sure of that. I love exploring the countryside with my dogs and am always respectful of livestock, giving them a wide berth and moving slowly but this experience has left me feeling absolutely terrified. Lisa
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I feel farmers should be made to ensure a safe route on public footpaths through fields with cattle – fenced off paths. It’s not much to ask. They have a duty to ensure safe passage across their land if it is public access. This needs to become law.
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I had a frightening experience with cows and started praying for help.The thought came that l should Sing and singl loudly.
So l belted out It’s a Beautiful World.lt stopped the cows in their track.Then they started backing off and l could move gingerly away.still singly and keeping my face to them.
So even if they charge start singing loudly .
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Thank you for your campaigns.
I have walked around 1500 miles in the last 2 years mostly in Somerset. I was never scared of cows befor, but I have had one very close call and come across aggressive cows that I have managed to avoid on at least 4 other occasions
Reading your site I have 2 thoughts
1 . The majority of those injured appeared to be women, and maybe older women. Is this correct? If so is there a reason ?
2. Someone mentioned rustling bags as being of interest, which made me wonder about rustly coats. Could this sound like a good bag?
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Sorry to hear about your close call. Yes, the majority of those injured do seem to be women, although that might be because women are more likely to report their attacks, I don’t know. Where a couple are attacked, it does seem the woman is more likely to be targeted. Your comment about rustling coats is also a good one. Something to bear in mind when choosing a walking jacket.
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I’ve been walking the Derbyshire dales for over 30 years and its definitely become more dangerous around cattle, over the last 5 years I have lost count of the number of times we’ve been chased across fields to the point now where I refuse to go through fields with cows, its definitely spoilt our country walks because of fear, I have come to the conclusion that Farmers are so fed up with a small minority of irresponsible irregular walkers who leave rubbish and gates open they are simply taking revenge and putting people off walking across their land, I don’t have a solution apart from avoid if possible or get over the style, make yourself known and see how they react ,if they come running over you have the opportunity to jump back, at the very least plan an escape route – good luck!
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