15 broken ribs, a punctured lung, and nearly strangled.
We were very sorry to hear of the cattle attack that left Sharon Eley with terrible injuries:
I ended up with 6 broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and a 7cm deep tear to my liver.
On the 9th May, 2022, we were walking on a public footpath across a field in West Burton, in the Yorkshire Dales. The footpath provides direct access into the village from a B road and from other public rights of way over adjoining fields.
Continue reading “Martin and Margaret: trampled by cows”I could hear the cow panting, see it snorting at me, see the ground move…
Julia’s Story
I am a 29-year-old woman not from the UK (and not very familiar with cows) who was on holiday in Northumberland. On the 8th June, 2022, I was walking with my partner and my dog on the path between Craster and Dunstanburgh Castle at about 3:30pm.
Continue reading “Julia’s Story: scared for her life”Had he tripped, it could have been fatal.
On the 8th June, I was walking on a footpath through Wild Bank Moors, just past the trig point, near Stalybridge. I was on my own and had my dog on a lead.
Continue reading “Richard’s Story: helping a fellow walker escape”I was screaming for help whilst holding on to the tree.
A few days ago, on the 24th October, we were attacked by cattle.
Paul and I went for a walk in Little Ribston Hall fields, keeping to the public footpaths and with our dog, Poppy, on her lead as advised on the gate. We walked past the sheep and over the bridge where we passed cows on either side of the concrete road (a public footpath) and had a wonderful walk.
On the way back, some of the cows were crossing the footpath, but there were around 50 cows still standing on either side of the path, so we could not walk around them. We were new to the estate and we had no idea of any other routes. We decided to keep Poppy on her lead as advised on notices and we kept to the path.
By the time we got closer, the cows had moved off the path… but they soon surrounded us, and began mooing and circling around us.
They managed to spilt me and Paul up. The cows were trying to trample Poppy, and Paul was going round in circles trying to keep her safe. One of the cows head butted Paul in the shoulder. I was screaming for help whilst holding on to the tree and screaming at Paul to pick up Poppy. No one could hear us as the cows were so loud.
Luckily Paul managed to get Poppy to the cattle grid and was going to tie Poppy up and come back for me. I shouted at him to stay with Poppy and I slowly let go of the tree. I did not look at the cows and walked slowly away, knowing cows were each side of me.
As soon as I could not see any cattle out of the corner of my eyes, I ran… and collapsed into Pauls arms.
When we looked back, we saw the cows had two calves with them in the field. I know that all they were doing was looking after their babies, and they were very angry at us for being in the field.
Paul had a bruised shoulder and later took cocodamol for pain. Luckily, Poppy was unharmed. Paul saved her life as the cows tried to trample her. She was terrified.
Later, I phoned Harrogate Borough Council, but they said it is nothing to do with them. It was up to us to call the land owner and report it. I did that, but the land owner just said he can graze cattle wherever he wants and ‘sorry it happened’. He also told us we should have let Poppy off her lead to run away. He said we should have found an alternative route on an ordinance survey map, but it was our first time walking in the area, and we did not know of any other route.
Even though it was a public footpath, the owner can apparently graze his cattle where he wants, but it would have been good if there were warning signs about the calves. We have learnt a very big lesson.
I just wanted to put this post on to warn others about this situation as we were both terrified. We are lucky to still be alive.
Respondent ID 256526757
Photo credit: Chris Heaton, image on Wikimedia, Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0
When they saw me, they charged.
On the 28th August, 2021, I was walking with my partner between Gillamoor, North Yorkshire, to Hutton-Le-Hole. We were on a public footpath crossing farmland.
Continue reading “Keith J’s story: charged by bulls”I was encircled by a large herd of cattle…
On the 7th August, 2021, I was walking across a grazing field near Wentworth, South Yorkshire, where there was a herd of cows, bullocks and calves. I was on a well-used and well-signed footpath. I had my dog on a short lead, which I always do when walking where there is any risk of encounters with livestock.
Continue reading “M Wood’s story: charged by cows”The bull appeared in front of the gate… about two metres away.
On the 13th June, 2021, I was walking with a group along a footpath in Eaton Dale, near Alsop en le Dale, in the Peak District (Grid reference: SV 16978 55586)
We came to a field with a waterhole next to the gate. Did a check of the field before entering, and saw there were cows but did not see a bull or calves. They looked like dairy cows.
Continue reading “Chris’s Story: a scary encounter with cows and a bull”I trust cows, but I know when they turn…
On the 3rd April, 2021, I was walking with my family through Aston Hall Farm, in Wen, Shropshire. We were following the footpath, and I had my working gun-dog on a lead, who has been brought up on our own farm. We didn’t see any warning signs, but there was cattle in the field – a group of heifers and bullocks, dairy cross.
Continue reading “A Farmer’s Story: charged by cattle”The cow managed to lift me off the ground and into the air.
On the 12th May, 2021, I was walking on my own with my two dogs on a lead. We were walking along a public footpath down a field near Bull Cross Farm, Dronfield, near Chesterfield in Derbyshire.
In the field were a group of cows with their calves.
Continue reading “Sally’s Story: lifted up into the air.”I tried to stand up, but got knocked down again…
In August 2015, two of us were walking along a public footpath with my dog on a lead. We were on the outskirts of Stithians, Cornwall.
Continue reading “CT’s Story: surrounded and trampled”I tried to walk around the cows, but they kept circling.
On the 17th March, 2021, I was walking my dog on our regular walking route, along the footpath which runs across a field in Stoke Edith, just right off the road towards Perton quarry. This is in Herefordshire, between Tarrington and Dormington.
Continue reading “Jolene’s Story: circled by cows”
Cattle Safety 