Tag: dog

Craig and Audrey: attacked by an angry cow.

The animal charged my wife… crushing her chest with its head.

Update 12th October 2020

Since the attack on myself and my wife (see my story below), the Health and Safety Executive have fully investigated the attack. They paid a visit to the landowner, and the cows have been removed from the spot where the attack took place.

They even came to see us face to face to inform us of the outcome of their investigation, and I would like to thank them for their time.

I would encourage anyone else who is attacked by cows to make sure they contact the Health and Safety Executive. They do take it  very seriously.

Unfortunately, my wife is still off work, 10 weeks on from the attack.

Craig’s story

On the 29th July, 2020, I was walking with my wife along a bridle path between Kettlewell and Starbotton, in the Yorkshire Dales. We had our little dog with us.

We came across a couple of cattle, and one calf was with them. At first we thought one of the cattle was a bull. I picked up our little dog, as she is just small, and we tried to give them as much distance as possible. But we were in the confinements of a walled bridle path (see photo above). Continue reading “Craig and Audrey: attacked by an angry cow.”

Zoe’s story: trapped by cows

We were trapped between a herd of cows and a ten-foot fence.

In April, 2019, I was walking with friends through Tyneham Village, in Dorset, with my dog (Rosie) on a lead. We followed the footpath from the village to go up the hill and back onto the top, and to head back to the car park.

A group of cows became very interested in us. My dog was well behaved and on the lead – but the cows came close and I became frightened. Continue reading “Zoe’s story: trapped by cows”

Christine’s story: turned back by cows

My dog was injured by an electric shock from the fence.

On the 5th of May, 2020, I was walking with my dog on a lead along the Reservoir Walk, near the Welford Reservoir in Northamptonshire.

I saw a group of cows in a field, and they had calves with them. Before we reached the field, the cows saw us coming and walked towards us (led by one particular cow). They walked quickly and were making quite a lot of noise.

Continue reading “Christine’s story: turned back by cows”

Walker killed by cattle in the Dales

First reported death this year of a walker killed by cattle in the UK

[We are sad to report the first death this year of a walker killed by cattle in the UK.]

Death in Yorkshire

On the 30th May, a couple of elderly walkers were strolling through a field near Ingleborough, when they were attacked by a herd of cows. Tragically, the man died of his injuries. The woman was severely bruised, but survived.

According to the outdoors magazine ‘Grough‘, the walkers had two small terriers with them. According to other reports, the cows had calves which they may have been protecting. Read the BBC news report of the incident, which was also reported in the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Another death in the time of virus

While hundreds of people are dying every day from this horrible Covid-19 virus, it is easy to forget that the peaceful fields of England can contain hidden dangers too.

As the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions begin to ease, we urge people to be careful, and continue to report cattle attacks to us.

You can read some of our advice for walkers here.

 

Header photo by Gary Butterfield on Unsplash

Mike’s Story – charged by a cow

It charged, and we ran for our lives.

On the 10th September, I was walking along a public footpath in a field between Bidborough Woods and Southborough Woods in Kent. I was on my own with my dog and saw no warning signs about cattle. There was long grass on either side of the path, and my dog was about 20 feet behind me. Continue reading “Mike’s Story – charged by a cow”

Abigail’s story: pushed from cow to cow

They went for my dog, and then surrounded me.

On the 23rd July 2019, I was walking with my dog on a public footpath along the western shore of Coniston, in the Lake District.  We encountered a group of cows on the footpath. They went for my dog, and then surrounded me, pushing me from cow to cow. Continue reading “Abigail’s story: pushed from cow to cow”

Andy’s story: knocked down on a walk

I lifted my legs up and started kicking the attacking cows in the face

On the 8th September, this year, I was walking on a public footpath near Ashbourne in Derbyshire. I was on my own with my dog on a lead.

I saw a group of cows were in the field I was about to enter. They were heifers and brown in colour. I normally have no problem dealing with cows, so I entered and began to walk across the field. Continue reading “Andy’s story: knocked down on a walk”

Lucy’s story: Butted and trampled

I was knocked to the ground, and repeatedly kicked and head butted

On the 11th August this year, I was walking with my dog on a public right of way, near Shipton under Wychwood, Oxfordshire.

I noticed the cows in the distance, and so I called my dog to my side, put her on a short lead and made her walk to heel. She is a Labrador and is used to being walked around livestock. Continue reading “Lucy’s story: Butted and trampled”