Tag: frightened walkers

Ensuring Safety on a Walking Holiday: Cattle Management

We all have a right to walk safely along footpaths, and we can’t predict which cattle will be aggressive.

Walking holidays in the UK are great for several reasons:

  1. There are so many different areas to discover. Our countryside is beautiful and very diverse.
  2. We can get there without jumping on a plane – that makes me happy as I hate the palaver of flying, getting to the airport early, queuing through security, waiting with hundreds of others etc….. Also, I am trying to not take flights to keep my carbon footprint down.
  3. We have a fantastic network of public footpaths, and bridleways, across England and Wales, giving walkers access to some stunning locations.
  4. We know that spending our money locally helps our economy.
Continue reading “Ensuring Safety on a Walking Holiday: Cattle Management”

2 near misses – frightened walkers following promoted routes, no dogs; they needed to climb over barbed wire fences to get to safety.

Report number: 1113

Date of incident: 22/5/25

Location: Aberaeron to Henfynway walk from Ceredigion 40 coasts and Country Walks by Julian Rollins Page 17 starts with ‘on the far side of field ..I crossed a footbridge across the Ceri and entered the paddock.. this is the field.’

1 person no dog

Report: “I entered the field quietly and saw them grazing a distance away .I took my sunglasses off and walked around the perimeter of field aiming for the exit gate. Before I knew it they all ran towards me I shouted but no avail. I climbed over barbed wire into nettles and branches. I was frightened as I could see I was on a shallow embarkment and if I lost my balance I would fall down a long slope. Getting panicky I phoned a friend who contacted the police ..by this time my phone had died. I waited for the cattle to loose interest and move, which took ages. I struggled to get back over as I was on a slope, there was a big fallen log that I had to roll under, then I used a big branch to climb over the barbed wire and ran to gate. This completely ruined my holiday, there should be big signs warning of potential dangers.“

Report number: 1114

Date of incident: 25/5/25

Location: We were completing the Charlton Viaduct loop from Shepton Mallet and when the incident occurred we were in one of the fields above Wells Road, on Darshill.

2 people no dog

Report: “The cows were pasturing in front of the gate we were supposed to go through. We approached the cows from far away as they noticed us. We were approximately 50 metres away when they saw us. We kept walking in their direction but they suddenly started running towards us. It was between 10-15 cows. Our reaction was to turn around and walk away (towards they direction we came from). When we turned our heads to look at them, they were closer and kept coming toward us and charging us. At that point we realised that the other access was too far and the only option we had was running down hill off path into a bush full of spikes and nettles which resulted in scratches all over. We then reached the main road but had to jump over barbed wire. The injuries resulted from escaping the cattle as the only escape was off the path in a bramble bush. Plus we had to jump over barbed wire to leave the field.”

Killer Cows comment: Walkers should expect a level of safety when following a promoted path. Cattle should be separated from walkers.

Mum and Daughter narrowly escaped charging cattle.

Incident number 1061
Response ID 311,395,044
Date: 1.11.24
Site: ///remit.page.code

It happened on a public foot path off the allotments in Upton St Leonards Village in Gloucestershire

Account: We entered the public footpath via the gate from the allotments. My 7 year old daughter and I and our dog on the lead started walking along the path. Within seconds of being in the field however the group of cows at the far end of the field (complete opposite side to where the public footpath is) started charging at us. Knowing the dangers of cows I quickly grabbed hold of my daughter and threw her back over the gate. In a state of panic I struggled to open the gate, only just opening it as the cows were right on top of me. I got through and closed the gate with the dog before they could cause any harm. It left my daughter in floods of tears from fright, she is now terrified of cows (and she is an animal lover) she had nightmares that night from it. We have not used that public footpath again from fear.

Mum comments: Warnings should be put on gates if there are cattle in fields that have public footpaths through them.

Another Incident with Duke of Edinburgh walkers

Incident Number: 1055, Response ID 310,532,049

Date of incident: 22/6/24

Location: Around Vale of the White Horse

No dog, 6/10 people

I was on my Duke of Edinburgh practice walk with my group when our map told us to follow a footpath which crossed a cow field containing several brown cows. At first we avoided eye contact with the cows but they began advancing on us. Most of my group successfully made it across the field and over the fence, safe from the cows. However I got left behind, still on the field. The cows surrounded me and I was stuck, every time I took a step they took one towards me and they stared at me and I was so scared I thought they were going to attack me. I didn’t know what to do, I was frozen in place, when one of my group mates threw a branch to distract them. The cows ran away and I quickly made my escape by sprinting to the fence and jumped over and I was safe.

It was such a scary experience and if I had been alone, I wouldn’t have known what to do. Since then I’ve always avoided cows.

Not injured, badly frightened.

Duke of Edinburgh walkers charged at by cattle

Response ID 310,407,936
Incident number 1051

Date: September 2024
Site: The walk began at Cannock chase, but unsure exactly where the incident occurred.
Group of cows, a group of young walkers, no dog

Description: I was doing D of E, we followed the “public footpath” sign and it took us to the field full of cows approximately 10 -15, I’m not sure. Unknowing what was about to happen me and my group strolled through the field, when suddenly the cattle chased us, they kept running at us and my friend managed to stop them. I was in tears as I was so scared. They chased us for a second time when we were trying to exit the field (we could not find the gate). Due to my state of confusion and how scared I was, I stayed at the back trying to find the exit and then they ran at us again. I had to throw my rucksack and me over a fence and it was so uncomfortable to do so. This was very frightening.
This incident was reported to the group leader.

Comment: I am now severely frightened of cows

AJ thinks there should be a fence between cows and walkers

Response ID 310,379,901
Incident number 1049

Date: 28.04.24
Site: On the South West Coast path near Mawnan Smith, Cornwall. By Cows Beach, NT land I think
Group of heifers. 2 walkers, 1 dog

AJ’s report: We walked quietly straight along the footpath at the base of the field. The dog was on a leash; it doesn’t interact with other animals anyway. The cows ran down the hill towards us and continued to follow us. We walked more quickly and had to make strange sounds to keep them at bay. The only thing that kept them back was the leash my friend started to swing around as a last resort. At one point she shouted stop, while showing a stop hand signal, and the nearest cow seemed to understand it. They kept coming towards us, and it looked like they were trying to hunt us down as their eyes were very focused. I went from scared to terrified. I remember having the thought that the situation was going to end badly for us.
We were on a frequently used footpath so think there should be a fence between the cows and walkers. There was a woman on tv tonight who said walkers should respect the cows and that really upset me, we are always respectful and we did nothing wrong. I hope she normally has something more helpful to say and her words were just badly edited.”

Killer Cows comments: We agree with your comment AJ on the need for a fence between cows and walkers. If anyone experiences any cattle incident PLEASE report it to your MP, the area you’re walking through (in this case SW Coastal path) and HSE. So many incidents are unreported and unknown about – therefore it is believed there are few problems with cattle – we know differently!

https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

https://support.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/portal/s/report-a-problem

https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm

“I think that farmers should be more responsible about placing their stock where there is a public right of way”

Response ID 308,779,200

Report number 1030

Date of incident 30/06/24

Location: On public footpath above Berry Pomeroy Village, (nr Totnes)

Report: “We were returning from Berry Pomeroy castle to Totnes and took the marked footpath through a field that led down to Berry Pomeroy Village. Although there was a sign to keep dogs on a lead (it was just us two) and cow pats; there were no visible signs of cattle.

We had walked over the ridge and about half way down the field towards the exit gate and spotted around 50 cows (mainly Friesians) standing at the base of the field in the shade. We then noticed a young cow get up by the gate and proceed to walk to the herd who then surrounded it before they all decided to walk up the field towards us. Having walked half way downhill and realising that they were all heading towards us, we realised we would not be able to get down to the gate and needed to turn back up the hill. We calmly walked back up the hill with the herd some distance away but they were moving so quickly that we realised there was no way out – due to the hedge and barbed wire fencing. Just before they got to us we spotted a small gap in the hedge and managed to scramble under the barbed wire and over some more before ending up in nettles that enabled us to get to the adjacent field. Feeling very frightened and stung we got home that way.

Fortunately it was only two of us but had a family or young children been doing that walk or anyone with a dog the whole situation would have resulted in a serious situation. I was terrified. My partner took a video of the incident with them surrounding us at the hedge where we had crawled to.

The Local Authority were really helpful and I also reported it to https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm regarding a public right of way, but did not hear from them.

We are really keen walkers and love visiting different places. We are close to Dartmoor and I now have a phobia of walking in open spaces when spotting cow pats or cows grazing. In the past I would think nothing of walking around cattle and feeling safe. I think that farmers should really be more responsible about placing their stock where there is a public right of way as these incidents are becoming increasingly frequent. I fully appreciate that farmers are entitled to earn a living but not at the detriment of the public’s safety. We are always fully compliant and respectful of the environment when we are walking and always follow the marked footpaths. These incidents do seem to fall on deaf ears so I would like there to be stricter legislation brought out in order that we can enjoy our environment safely. On an occasion in Dorset we had to take a busy main road back to our camp in the dark as the public footpath went through a field with a huge black bull in it.”

A group of bullocks caused an urgent need to locate a safe exit

Report number: 901

Date of incident: 5/7/24

Site of incident: Three of us were crossing the Public right of way (PROW) on Coton Mill Farm land heading from Old Gayton Gorse to Mill Lane (OS Grid Reference: SJ 9783 3116) We were following the Pathfinder Staffordshire Outstanding Circular Walks Walk number 19: Milwich and Sandon Park.

Report: It was getting dusk and we were trying to return to Milwich where we had parked. We followed the PROW using OS Maps app and guide book. The field was quiet initially but around half way across we climbed to the top of a slope and were spotted by large young cows from the other side of the field. They were a distance away and we’re seasoned walkers with plenty of experience. We stayed close together and walked quietly and consistently.

It started with one bullock taking notice and like an excited puppy started enthusiastically making it’s way towards us. It was joined by more and more until we had a sizeable number behind us. I turned to face them and they stopped and leaned slightly back with heads low and pensive. I softly said hello and we continued to walk slowly, quietly and made sure our youngest member was protected. They lunged forwards a few times but held back…. playing.

It was really scary, especially when they started to get in front of us also. We did manage to cross the stile safely – but it felt like forever to complete the crossing. They didn’t hurt us, but maybe that’s because we have some experience and were extremely careful with our movements. When we completed our crossing we had the entire herd stood looking at us from the other side of the fence.

We need better marked PROW’s as the signs were appalling in this area apart from the farm on Old Gayton Gorse who had painted the way markers and stiles in high vis paint, which I thought was brilliant. The other farms however had very poorly maintained infrastructure and paths marked, slowing our progress considerably. Cattle were clearly used in multiple areas. We had encountered cattle earlier in the walk but they were young females and weren’t a problem.

If it wasn’t for access to GPS crossing that field where we were surrounded could have been very, very dangerous as it wasn’t clear exactly where our safe exit was.

Christina had 40 horned cattle charging at her

Report number:900

Date of incident: 3/7/24

Site of incident: The field near Warlies in Waltham Abbey

Report: We were aware there are cows in this field with baby’s but I have done this walk for years with no problems.

Two of us were walking, we couldn’t see the cows as we began, we always give them a wide birth, the dog was on a long lead but all of a sudden as we came down the hill the cows were in view. They were a large herd, with calves, cows (with horns) and heifers. I put the dog on a short lead. We stopped looked at the cows, they were just looking, and so we carried on walking as we’ve always done.

All of a sudden about 40 of them ran at us full speed. We ran as fast as we could and jumped into a tiny fenced off area, no bigger than 2m squared. It was a small barbed wire square around a tree. All of them swarmed us butting their heads at the fences and waving their horns around. I have never been so terrified in all my life, at one point I thought we might have to climb the tree. If we made any noise the cows just got more aggressive and loud so we had to stay quiet, they didn’t leave us.

We were stuck in there for a nearly an hour and had to call police to come and rescue us. I can’t believe we actually made it out, only with a few cuts of barbed wire, it was the most petrifying thing I have ever experienced.

 I did see a sign that said to be aware of cattle and keep your dog close.

Scared out of a field: Twice in as many months!

Report number:892

Date of incident: 23/06/24

Site of incident: Close to OS Grid Ref: SY 63456 82538 on footpath going East to West, just south of Tatton Farm near Chickerell, in Dorset

We were walking on a public footpath in Dorset around 16:00 hrs. We had entered a field with a few cows in, so had put the 2 dogs on their leads. The cows were looking at us from a distance, though not approaching. We kept looking back to ensure they didn’t follow. All of a sudden, we became aware of another, different herd of cows ahead numbering approximately 25. We could see the stile we were making for, but the cows quickly surged towards us. My wife, who was very scared began to run with the dog she was looking after. I released my dog so it might follow her whilst I could try to slow the cows down, to allow them to make it to the stile. We are aware of the advice not to run, but it is a natural instinct to remove yourself from imminent danger. I did not run, just walking fast and shouting as loud as I could at the cows, swearing and repeatedly shouting no. This did slow down their approach, but did not stop it. I had now got close to the stile and continued to fend them off while my wife managed to get the dogs and herself over the stile (no doggy door to make things easier!). The herd continued to approach me as I got over the stile and swarmed around it after I had cleared it. I would not necessarily describe the cows as aggressive, although my wife did notice some leg stomping. They appeared youngish and it may just have been exuberance on their part, but the danger of contact with some very heavy animals was very real. This is our second near miss encounter in as many months and I am beginning to wonder whether my dogs (two flat coat retrievers) are of particular interest to cows.

We should not be intimidated out of using public footpaths. Warning signs are not enough. Landowners/farmers need to be more conscious of this issue. After all, they expect us to be sensible and considerate!

Multiple spoiled walks and near misses – badly scared walkers

Killer Cows receives many varied reports of aggressive and scary behaviour by cattle, and several of our recently reported incidents are posted below. There does not seem to be one type of breed that is safer and we cannot assume that because cattle did not react the last time we walked through their field, they will be equally calm the next. Farmers can fail to spot when cattle are a risk – so how can we notice?

Our reports are split with 50% having a dog present, 50% not. These incidents have happened in quiet rural spots and in areas where there is a lot of public footfall. Each incident results in badly scared walkers; they are no longer able to enjoy the wonderful freedom of walking along a footpath without worrying whether there are cattle in the next field.

The guidance issued by NFU or The Ramblers can work in some occasions, but not in others. Signage doesn’t seem to be updated to reflect whether cattle are present at the time you are walking – so no help at all. Signs warning of cattle in fields don’t absolve the farmer of their duty of care to walkers, but they may deter some walkers – and some farmers may be happy with this result. There are farmers who are actively looking at ways to keep walkers safe and are proactively working with the legislative bodies – we applaud them. Our footpaths give us access to our countryside, we need to feel safe to enjoy them.

Read the varied accounts below –

Continue reading “Multiple spoiled walks and near misses – badly scared walkers”