family group of walkers – Cattle Safety

Family group with no dog cornered by cattle

Report: 1308

Date: 13/09/26

Location: Old Grange Farm, Longton, Lancs. ///aboard.cornfield.pays

Family group with children, no dog

Group of bullocks and cows – large beef cattle

Worried walker’s Report: “The footpath we were following was shown on OS to go through Old Grange farm near Longton Lancs, but it had been diverted round it, through a field.

On entering the field the cows began walking then running to us, splitting into 2 groups. I shouted and flapped to scare them away however they began running towards us on both fence lines, effectively blocking our path. Luckily we had stayed next to the farm fence and were able to go into the farmyard via a gate and rejoin where the footpath was marked on the OS map.”

Comment: “Beef cattle especially bullocks to kept away from footpaths. My 12 year is already petrified of even a field of completely disinterested cows, we will struggle to walk through them in future even taking precautions. This field joins the Ribble Way and so is a major footpath.”

Family attacked

Report number: 1240 Date 9/5/26 Location: Newlyns Farm field, Lodge Farm Odiham, Hampshire

Bec’s Report: “2 children (8y and 14y) along with their Aunt and dog entered field through kissing gate coming from the canal tow path into field. Aunt holds onto dog collar as the dog owner (my father 73) and myself are a few metres behind them. The first group (children, Aunt, dog) walk along footpath into field, myself and father enter field some seconds later approx 10-15 metres behind. By the time the first group reaches a bridge crossing the stream at the middle of the field one cow begins to bellow and the children become scared. Aunt and dog stop to wait for my father who has the dog lead as aunt is currently walking hunched over holding the dogs collar. I walk faster to catch up with my children, we walk together towards gate at opposite side of field quickly but not running. As we are walking away from my father, Aunt and dog we continue to hear bellowing of the cow and I see it is moving towards them. There are many cows and calves in the field, at least 20 I think, maybe more. Many cows are slowly advancing towards us but one particular big brown cow (the one who is bellowing) circles around and charges at my father who is now holding onto the dog collar and trying to put lead on.”

Family forced to swim to escape from dangerous cattle

Report number:1233

Date: 3/5/26

Location: Aller, near Langport, Somerset

Family group & dog

Libby’s report: “We were chased and pinned against the rivers edge by a whole group of cows who were kicking and jumping. They edged closer and closer until we were left with no option but to jump into the river and swim to the other side. My mum was a little further up trying to use a fence post to stop another group from pushing her into to river. After we jumped in they then charged over to her. I then had to jump back into the water to try and help her. Luckily the splash startled them enough to cause a distraction so my mum managed to get away. The whole incident was extremely frightening and traumatic for us all. Thank god we were able to swim is all I can say.”

Libby adds “At least have a sign up or to move the cows off of the public foot path.”