Incident number 1301
Date: 24.05.26
Site: Roughly this: What3words:Punctuate.Otter.Fronted. Near Over Alderley, Hare Hill permissive path.
1 dog on lead, 3 walkers.
RH’s report: “We were just walking and suddenly a group of cattle burst out of a field (from nowhere) and moved around us, not charging but getting quite close, agitated and shifting around restlessly with their calves. Some were starting to move from foot to foot/gently stamp their feet and bellow. We as calmly as possible moved through. I panicked, and I completely understand it is a permissive path, but obviously lots of walkers go through that area and cows especially with calves probably should be kept away. They watched us go but I still felt scared.”
“There were warning signs present, they said what to do if approached by cows (with and without calves) and not to let dogs poo in the parkland because it can spread disease to the cows. It said that the farmer had been using the land for generations and that was all good.”
RH adds a comment: “I would just like a fence put around pathways and to keep mother cows/cows in general away from walkers. However I do understand fields have to be rotated.”
Tag: Agitated herd
Experienced walkers frightened by agitated cows
Report number: 1232
Date: 25/4/26
Location: Between Overton and Erbistock (Wrexham). Approx What3Words = riverside.period.curtail
2 people no dog
Frances’s report: “We crossed a stile into the field and immediately noticed a herd of cows on the other side. They seemed to be minding their own business and facing the other direction so we continued to walk. We stayed close to the fence, as far away from them as possible. One cow noticed us and turned to look – as we both grew up in the countryside, we were not too worried as cows are naturally curious. We expected her to follow us for a bit then lose interest as normal. However, the cow started running towards us, followed by the rest of the herd, some of who were bucking and kicking. Now extremely frightened, we tried to find an escape – the only way out being over a barbed wire fence. We both jumped the fence to avoid the oncoming herd and my friend badly cut her shin on the barbed wire as she went over. Both of us were also badly scratched and stung by the undergrowth we landed in. The cows reached the fence (with us now on the other side) and would not lose interest so we continued along the other side of the fence. Once this path had run out, we had no choice but to re-enter the field. The cows had run away but were still kicking and bucking, so we were apprehensive to continue in the field. We ran across the field and jumped the fence on the opposite side to continue in safety.”
Frances adds “I would love to see a rule where footpaths have to be protected by fences through fields with livestock – for the animals’ benefit as well as the walker!”
Cattle Safety 