near miss – Cattle Safety

Aggressive or curious cattle? Either pose a risk to walkers.

3 recent reports follow, 2 with dogs, 1 without. All the walkers felt worried enough by the cattle’s behaviour and exited the field across potentially dangerous routes. People may argue some of the cows were “just” curious or playful rather than aggressive. If a 1/2 ton of animal is “curious” and comes charging towards you or pins you to a gate, that is dangerous. Cattle pose a risk to walkers. So what is the solution?

Signs indicating dangerous cattle in the field will not happen as the law states no dangerous animals should be kept on land with public access. Banning dogs across fields of cattle clearly will not solve the problem, half of our reports are from people with no dog. Educating people to “respect the cows” will not help, you can respect a charging cow as much as you like, but it won’t make you safe. Giving cattle a wide berth, not getting between a calf and mother, having a calm dog on a short lead – all good ideas but we have reports from those who follow all the above and yet were attacked. The solution is fencing off cattle from walkers. Read the following reports and decide what you would do in that situation.

Are more field exits a solution to escape from aggressive cattle?

Report: 1243
Date: 14/5/26 Location: The incident happened on the Dales Way. In the field between the railway line on Lambrook Beck and the Beck houses. This field is in the Dales Way between Sedbergh and Burneside.

Rajiv’s post: We were walking on a public footpath on the Dales Way when our path was blocked by a herd of cows who were blocking the only exit to the field in which we were. One of the black cows walked towards us aggressively and there were two to three other cows right behind this cow who were also looking and walking towards us. We immediately walked away and tried to hide behind a tree. The aggressive cow followed us right up to the tree and chased us around the tree for a little bit. This led to a standoff where the cow was on one side of the tree and we were on the other. Eventually, when the cow was distracted, we walked briskly towards the exit and the cow followed us. We dodged the cow behind another tree, while avoiding the other cows from the herd, and eventually found a path for a brief moment which allowed us to navigate to the exit and escape. If the tree had not been there, there was no way for us to avoid the cow which was directly following us in an aggressive fashion.”
“A solution could be to have multiple exits on fields that are occupied by cows. This will allow walkers to navigate away from a single exit in the event it is blocked by cows. I also observed that a lot of accidents are while attempting to jump over barbed wire or over fences, and having multiple exits will allow walkers to escape safely.”

Cyclist on bridleway threatened by cattle

Report number: 1244 Date: 15/5/26
Location: Greywell Hill Estate. Nr Odiham Hampshire. ///reverses.motel.ambitions

1 person no dog

Graham’s report: “I was following the bridleway on a bicycle. The cows were 50 yards away from me, I was moving away from them when they came running towards me. Aggressively charging me, pawing the ground with their hooves. I used my bike as a shield, and made occasional sharp noises to attempt to deter them as I retreated towards the gate I entered through. They continued to aggressively come towards me as a group, and stayed surrounding the gate after I was able to escape through it.”
Graham comments: “These cattle should not be allowed in a field that public have access to. Simple as that.”

Cattle known to be aggressive kept in field with a public footpath

Report: 1238
Date: 10/5/26
Location: Jurassic way. Watford. W3W hails.restrict.springing

Report: “We were walking to the right of the footpath, keeping to the fence to avoid the cattle. We had 2 dogs on short leads under close control. One cow made for us. Bellowed in way I’ve never heard a cow bellow before. Before I knew it the whole herd were running toward us bellowing and charging at one of our dogs. The owner of the dog dropped the lead and let the dog run away. We turned back the way we had come and made for the stile as fast as possible with the other dog still on a lead. The loose dog went through the fence and ran along it returning to us while we were still being chased by cows. The cows were still bellowing and stomping. The cattle eventually ceased chasing us at speed, just followed us at some pace until we made it back over the stile. We returned to the road and asked a local lady a way around. Telling her what happened she said the cows were known to attack walkers regardless of whether dogs were present or not. We followed the diversion she gave us during which another local passer-by made comment about her husband also being attacked by the cows. As we turned into the lower field we met a young lady that turned out to be the land owners daughter who gave us permission to cross in a different area and also confirmed the cows are known to be aggressive.”
Further comment “These cows need moving to a field without a public footpath. Or a fence cordoning cattle from the footpath.”

Popular walking route with unsafe cattle roaming across it

Report number:1234

Date: 4/5/26

Location: On the side of the river Arun just past Arundel castle

2 people with dog

Laura’s report: “We were walking on the footpath and the cows were quite a way to our right, to our left was the river. The cows started coming over, we went down towards the river but it was knee deep bog. The cattle kept following so I walked on ahead, so they would leave my partner and the dog along. I managed to get to and jump in a cattle pen, the cows surrounded that and were pushing it trying to get in. I ended up having to climb over the fence behind me which was adjacent to the railway and crawl through undergrowth to get away. I then distracted the cows while my partner and dog got away by climbing along the river bank, under a bridge and we then had to pass our dog across the fence to the railway line before skirting it and getting away. There was no other way. The cattle should have been fenced in, this is a very popular hiking route.”

Laura adds “I’ve also been chased by cows in a field close to my home in east Grinstead, my dog was on a lead and we entered the field quite a way away and intended to skirt round the edge and out, the cattle came charging at us. We only got away because there was a scaffold plank crossing from one field to the next, which slowed them down”

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!”

Charged at by a cow in Derbyshire (Pattern of previously aggressive livestock behaviour in this area)

Incident number: 1228
Response ID 329,163,280
Date: 8/4/26 Location ///farm.prepare.character, Between Unstone Green and Dronfield,Derbyshire 2 People, with 2 dogs on lead

Incident Summary: “On 8th April 2026, while traversing the established public footpath southwest from Highgate Lane, our party (two adults and two canine companions on leads) encountered an aggressive bovine. The animal emerged from a previously restricted lane and initiated a direct, targeted approach toward us. Despite attempts to deter the animal through non-aggressive gesturing, it continued to pursue us at an increasing pace. During the retreat, a group of five to six calves was observed at ///structure.ports.snooze, suggesting the cow was exhibiting protective maternal aggression.”

“We successfully evacuated the field via the stile at Highgate Lane without physical injury, though the encounter posed a significant risk to our safety.”

Observations on Public Safety: “This is not an isolated event; there is a pattern of aggressive livestock behaviour at this specific location, frequently cited by other members of the walking community. Historically, the risk was mitigated by functional fencing and hedgerows that separated cattle from the public right of way. However, due to a lack of maintenance, these boundaries are no longer effective. It is our assessment that the current management of the land fails to meet necessary health and safety standards for public access, creating an avoidable danger to footpath users.”
“I think that landowners and livestock owners have a duty of care towards public footpaths and provide safe passage across grazing areas, and should be able to be reported more easily, when this falls short.”

Update: “I submitted a report to the Health and Safety Executive and have already received an email response from them. They have contacted the farmer and reminded them of their responsibilities. Which, I think, has resulted in some wonderful news to share since my last update. I am happy to report that the cows, calves, and the bull have all been moved to a large enclosed field which does not have any footpaths running through it—a great result!”

Andy meets an aggressive group of bullocks

Report 1225

Response ID 328,980,041

Location Footpath between Clwyd gate and farm Plas-y-Nant, nearest large town, Ruthin. Approx grid ref SJ155584, in field just out of woods, exit gate was further obstructed by electric fence.

Single walker, no dog, encounters an aggressive group of bullocks

Andy’s Report: “Leaving gate from the wood and progressing towards my exit gate I could see many young beasts at the far end of the field. About halfway across the field they noticed me and charged, they charged to almost touching distance, over 20 animals, it felt very aggressive.

The field was very broken up making it difficult to keep my footing as I had to back away whilst making a lot of noise and throwing clods of earth to keep them away, I got to the gate only to find it was obstructed by an electric fence which I trampled to get out.

Andy comments: “If I was not a military veteran accustomed to danger I would not have got out of this field uninjured. There should be a more robust process to report to ‘authorities’ and some recognition by police that I have at least the same worth as a sheep.”

Lack of public safety on SW Coastal Path

Report 1223

Response ID 328,818,368

Date of incident 5/3/26

Location South West coastal Path – south of Hartland Quay towards Speke’s Mill. What 3 words “qualified.shave.digested” North Devon coast.

Zoe’s Report: “Arriving at the gate on my return journey I was surprised to see cows there. I entered slowly and both dogs were by my side, but it was clear they were interested and I retreated back behind the gate as they were too dense and close. I waited for 15 minutes (since it was getting dark) and saw they had moved a little way off. I crept back into the field and started walking again, but one of the bullocks spotted my dog who was about 5 metres infront of me – the other was behind me. The bullock started running towards us and the whole herd then turned and started running towards us. My youngest dog sprinted around the outside of the herd and drew their attention away a little, but she then looped back around to me. My older dog who stayed by my side did not run away and now the bullocks were coming straight towards us again and now my exit was blocked as my young dog ran back to me and looped the bullocks back to me. The only place I could go was over the rusted barbed wire rotten matchstick fence and perch on the cliff edge.

This was frightening enough until a bullock stepped over the fence to now join me and my dogs on the cliff edge (150m cliff) the bull then snorted and chased my youngest who ran towards the cliff edge and then skirted around ….back to me. I then crawled along a half metre wide section between fence and cliff with my dogs so the bullock couldn’t follow – I then pushed my youngest dog back out into the field to run away …. As she seemed to be the one they were most interested in. I laid low with my older dog and called the police for help as I truly felt my only exit was taking my chances hanging on to the cliff as the bullocks were snorting and running and sliding on their front hooves towards me.

After another 10 mins the bullock stepped back over the fence and left us, but the herd still surrounded the outcrop of the cliff top. After another 10-15 mins the herd moved far enough away that I felt I could make the gate. Thankfully I found my youngest dog waiting by the gate for me. I was rescued and accompanied back across the field by 2 farmers, one of which reported it wasn’t the first time this has happened and they had been pushing the landowner to put proper fencing in. Especially since he has received money in grants for fencing. Thankfully I’m safe, but totally traumatised and am scared to continue along the SWCP.”

Zoe adds: “I seriously would like to see a decent cow proof fence keeping the cattle away from the cliff edge and giving space to people walking the coastal path. Notices for walkers to be warned of animals in fields and updated. An up to date website that walkers can refer to and plan their walk around fields with cows. I was blocked from walking on my return journey of a long walk and an alternative route would have added on many, many miles at night.”

Pip encounters a dangerous herd on the Welsh Coastal Path

Response ID: 328,436,497

Report number: 1222

Location: Ceredigion Coast Path (part of the Wales Coast Path) between Gwbert & Mwnt

Date: 04/02/26

2 walkers, no dog, meet about 40 Welsh Black bullocks

Pips report: “On the return stretch of our walk we encountered extremely treacherous terrain and a herd of about 40 Welsh Black bullocks milling around all along the path. My partner & I are both country people & I’m a farmer’s daughter who grew up around cattle but this was by some distance the scariest encounter I’ve ever had with livestock. They approached us, some with curiosity, a few with real intent, & starting bucking & circling. We both had to shout & scream & run at them (difficult given the conditions underfoot) & my partner made me go as fast as I could to the next gate whilst he tried to fend them off. Thank God we both made it though but I fell & jarred my hip & neck that are now painful. We were very shaken & absolutely filthy, my body-warmer & jeans were ruined. It’s a really dangerous situation & I want to report in the strongest terms that something needs to be done as a matter of urgency as it could have ended really badly.”

Pip adds “The Wales Coast Path is a very important public right of way & as such should be kept safe for everyone to use.”

Frightened walker asks “Surely the footpath could be fenced off just like it had been done leading up to this section?”

Incident number:1220

Response ID: 328,248,081

Location: Back Forest Farm, River Dane, near Wincle & DaneBridge, Peak District ///wasps.promote.homelands

Date 26/01/26

Single walker, no dog

SY’s Report: “I was heading back to DaneBridge/Wincle from Gradbach/Black Forest. I’d walked by Back Forest Farm along the path between their fields and came to a gate/stile. As I crossed over the stile and looked into the field ahead I could see that there were cows on the footpath and the surrounding field which was on higher ground. The cows saw me and seemed calm and didn’t seem fussed by my appearance. The path is narrow and there are trees immediately after the gate/stile and along the stream/river to the right which is down a steep bank. Because the cows were on the path I attempted to walk to the left of them on slightly higher ground I then heard stampeding and I looked uphill to see a cow running down the hill towards me and rearing its front legs and bucking – it was only a few meters away, I looked to my right and there were cows on the footpath who were now spooked by the cow and I had no choice but to run towards these cows away from the chasing cow and jumped down a very steep bank into the little stream/river and hoped that they wouldn’t chase me. I looked back and they all seemed very agitated so I tried to climb up the steep bank on the other side which was hard as it was wet and muddy and the ground kept falling away from me but there was no other way out. I eventually managed to climb up and ran back to the gate/stile. I was very lucky to escape and I think in part that was due to the fact that I could jump down a steep bank and climb out which wasn’t easy.”

Further comment: “The farmer has a lot of land here so why are the cows being allowed in the small section with the only footpath? Surely the footpath could be fenced off just like it has been done leading up to this section?”

Bullocks far too interested in a walker to feel safe

Incident number 1179
Date: 12.08.25
Site: The estate of Garthgwynion, in Llynfant valley, near Machynlleth.
Group of bullocks
1 person, no dog

Report: “I was about to cross the last metal gate, before continuing the Welsh Coastal Path from Machynlleth to Borth, (which passes through the estate of Garthwynion,) when I found a group of bullocks assembled on the other side, right in the middle of the path. I whistled loudly with my emergency whistle, and waved my arms frantically while shouting, and the animals got scared and run away a few meters from me, enough to let me cross. As I was passing in front of them, one of the animals decided to come towards me at a fast pace, soon followed by the rest of them. I sped towards the entrance gate of the estate, which fortunately wasn’t too far away.”

“No injury luckily, but it was a frightening experience.”