no dog – Page 5 – Cattle Safety

Charged at by cattle on a footpath

Report No. 886

Date of Incident. 25/05/24

Location. Near Metton, Norfolk, England – what3words – followers.crunching.galaxies

No dog

Account “Two of us, early 30 yr old males, were passing from Metton towards Felbrigg mid afternoon in light rain. We came to a field which was signed with ‘bull in field’ and saw a group of 30+ cows, at least one bull and several calves (young, but mid size). We are experienced outdoorsy people and walked into the field, we were a long way from the group of cows, and we noticed one of them coming towards us. We still weren’t concerned until they started moving as a group and loudly huffing. As we gently moved quicker they started to charge. We turned, walking backwards moved our arms up and down expressing ‘Hey!’ at them – which has deterred further movement on other occasions. This worked at first but then they all began to charge. We loudly shouted ‘HEY!’ This slowed them at first but they began to run. By this point we had gotten closer to the fence and were able to scramble out of their way. They then all came close as they could to us, on the other side of the fence not moving. It was a VERY close call.”

“I was not aware until today we could report it. Honestly we didn’t know we had rights about this as while it’s a marked footpath and on OS as a walking route, we assumed it’s still private land – so on us if something happens.”

Killer Cows states: The farmer has a duty of care to people that walk across their land.

Cows blocked Helen’s path

Report number: 885

Date of Incident: 29/05/24

Location: Rowsley area, Derbyshire, England. Grid ref 255 659

No dog

Account “Cows were blocking the footpath for quite a way, they were also blocking a gate under a bridge. They seemed docile but the two of us felt anxious having to walk so close to get past them. It had been very wet weather and the path was very muddy and full of cow poo, so it was slippery. ”

Killer Cows comments: This sort of incident happens frequently, it spoils walks and prevents people being able to enjoy the countryside. People ask what should they do, but perhaps we should be asking what should the farmer do, what does the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance say? Cattle are huge animals and even if they are calm, passing close by them can be risky, a cow could easily crush a person, or stand on their feet. No wonder Helen was anxious. We are asking for cattle to be segregated from footpaths, we agree with HSE guidance.

Steve’s group meet an aggressive cow

Report number: 883

Date of Incident: 5th June 2024

Location: High Tilberthwaite, Cumbria, England. Grid Ref SD 330824 501300. On right of way.

Dogs: None

Cattle: Group of cows and calves. Brown.

Account “Our group of four adults entered a field of cows near to a farm through a gate; we were intending to walk calmly across it following a public footpath. Cows with calves were lying down on and near the path so we made a detour to give them a wide berth. All the cows except one appeared to ignore us. This one cow, which was approximately 80 to 100 yds away, looked at us with great interest and started to walk briskly towards us. It then began to run, and charged aggressively towards one of our group, a man. It stopped about half a metre away from him and made aggressive roaring noises, darting at him repeatedly in a threatening way and pawing the ground. It was very close indeed. The man stood his ground, unsure what to do, and two others of us shouted and clapped loudly. The cow fortunately hesitated and withdrew. We quickly retraced our steps and left the field through the gate. Many of the cows had calves next to them, but this cow did not appear to have a calf.”

There were no warning signs.

Steve comments – “It should be illegal to put potentially dangerous animals in a field that contains a public footpath.”

Weobley Walkers have blood pressure spikes.

Incident number: 880
Date: 31.05.24
Site: On the Wyche way east of Naunton, Worcestershire.
Two bulls and cows and calves in two fields between which the Trail runs, I’ve since been informed the bull is most likely to be a Limousin.

Description: Two of us were walking along the Wyche Way, we didn’t have a dog. We came to a field where we met the first bull, this one was behind a single band of ?electric fencing with cows behind him. The bull was bellowing to another bull behind a hedge to our right. We crossed the field, effectively walking between the two bulls, to a stile in the corner. The next field we entered contained the other bull plus around 20 cows and their calves – all standing around the stile, they were not segregated from the footpath.

Fortunately the cows were frightened of us and backed off a bit, so we walked close to the hedge past them. And fortunately this bull was too preoccupied with the first bull that he ignored us.

No signs were around to warn us of the dangers. We are two ladies in our mid 70s and we were pretty scared but had no choice but to walk on, there was nothing we could do to avoid the danger, there were no warning signs, no suggested detours to avoid the bulls and cows and calves. Our fitbits showed a huge spike in our blood pressure!

Comment: No dangerous horses or cattle etc should be allowed on any official trail or footpath.

Jim and his friends met an aggressive herd

Report number: 844

Date of incident: 28/04/24

Site of incident: https://w3w.co/anyway.daffodils.laptops, Stanford Bishop, Malvern Hills

No Dog, 4 people

While attempting to walk on a footpath near Stanford Bishop (exact location was ///anyway.daffodils.laptops https://w3w.co/anyway.daffodils.laptops ) on Sunday 28 April at 2.40pm we were charged by a herd of bullocks and bulls and had it not been for a telegraph pole which we were able to use as a shield we would surely have been in more danger. We had entered the field on the signed footpath via the stile (in poor condition) from the west. We were sat down by a telegraph pole just eating some sandwiches when the cows (young bullocks we assume) started approaching. They seemed very interested in us so we got up. A couple were very skittish and were jumping and kicking in the air. A few kind of charged us only backing off at the last moment as we tried to stand our ground by the pole for safety. We eventually had to leave the field via the way we entered because the herd were not backing down and we were afraid of not having any safe way out of the field. So we sadly had to do a complete turnaround and find an alternative route.

There were four of us in the group, middle-aged men, no dogs with us, all seasoned walkers and were all shocked by how aggressive the herd was. We did nothing to antagonise them and despite trying to shoo them and stand our ground it was clear we would not be able to cross the field safely. I think less experienced walkers might have suffered a different fate. The herd did not want us back.

We weren’t injured, but frightened

We’d like better signage, and ideally fencing being required by law so that designated public footpaths are safe to use in the country – other farmers have clearly taken far more care and attention over such things than this one.

Mags just wants to walk a footpath in safety

Incident number: 877
Date: 31.05.24
Site: Field next to the Gate hangs Well pub, Syston. Near Lewin Bridge; roundabout where A607 & A46 cross.
I was on my own, no dog.

I’d planned the walk as it involved specific canal features, which I really wanted to see. I approached the field from the pub garden and I could hear the cows mooing and bellowing. When I went to the first gate to enter the field, they were staring at me, & the leader of the mob had head erect and kind of “alert” ears. From previous experiences, they give you a cursory glance, if that, and ignore you. I did think something wasn’t right, but told myself not to be silly. (Doesn’t matter now, as I’ll never enter a field of cows again. )

The cows were down the other end of field. I was crossing obliquely, away from them, from waymarker to waymarker. Suddenly one cow walked towards me, then the others followed. I went through a gate to exit their field and continue the walk, the cattle gathered round it watching me leave. Unfortunately, I couldn’t continue along the track as it was far too muddy, so I had no choice but to return. One cow was still in the gate, but moved when I got there. When I got through, they all started mooing and following me and I was almost surrounded. The cattle at the back started running, moving towards the gate I needed to get through to get out of that field, but luckily I just reached it before them. When I was through, they all stood blocking the gate; I haven’t been so scared since being followed on a towpath a few years ago. I thought I was going to be trampled to death. I will never enter a field with even one cow again.

It’s a waymarked public footpath, mentioned on maps and in walking guides. You can’t avoid crossing that field if you want to do that walk.

Mag’s final comment: Every field of cows that’s on a walking route should have a phone number so you can contact the farmer. On a previous occasion a gate on a walk near Kenilworth Castle was completely blocked by a herd of cows. I was going to turn back, but a couple came and shooed them away – with difficulty, and we all walked through together. But that’s it now; I’ve had it with cows and am reverting to my previous policy of not entering if there’s even one cow. I’ve been lucky twice, and won’t be so lucky again, I’m sure.

We threw ourselves over the gate!

Incident number: 874
Date of incident: 18.05.24
Site: SX868968
Type of cow: Group of heifers
No dog

We entered the field carefully closing the gate behind us. As soon as the gate was secured the cows started mooing and moving towards us. We quickened our pace and one cow started bucking excitedly close by. They followed us closely at a distance of about 1 metre. I talked to them calmly throughout, trying to reduce their aggression. We reached the opposing gate, very closely followed by the cattle, we didn’t have time to open it and threw ourselves over, my partner bruising her leg on the hurried descent.

Injury: Not injured but badly frightened

Charged at by a bull

Report number: 847

Date of incident: 08/05/24

Site of incident: On the footpath up the river from St Nectan’s Waterfall, Tintagel, Cornwall. Coordinates 50°39’58.6″N 4°42’32.2″W. WhatThreeWords; ///disarmed.nipping.perfected.

There was a dairy bull in the field with multiple bullocks.

2 people no dogs

We are seasoned and experienced hill walkers. We approached the field on well worn path along from a much loved popular waterfall. We made sure to keep talking as we approached as to not startle bullocks (visible). As we entered the field the younger bullocks backed off. The dairy bull immediately started with aggressive body language. I picked up a large stick and tried to continue to follow the path with confident but non threatening body language. The bull charged us. I attempted to be assertive so raised the stick and held my ground. The bull continued to charge us, just stopping short of hitting us.

Daniel’s story: Unprovoked attack, the outcome could have been much worse.

Report number: 841

Date of incident: 30/4/24

Site of incident: One of the fields that sits on Draycott Old Road in Draycott in the Moors, Staffordshire.

1 Person, no dog.

I was out for a walk in my local area as I do every evening. I always use the public footpaths, taking me through a number of fields, one of which can tend to have cattle in it. I have never had any problems in the past, however, last night was different.

After having gone over a stile and walked 5-10 meters from it, I realised there was a cow behind me to my left that was initially hidden by the hedge. This cow immediately moved towards me and got between myself and the stile, so I had nowhere to go.

The cow charged at me, head butting me to the ground before rising up on its hind legs. Luckily I was able to roll out of the way before the cow hit the ground and make for the stile. The cow chased me, so instead of using the stile I had to throw myself head first over an almost 5 foot high gate (this was to the side of the stile), landing flat on my back on hard mud that had been dried out by the sun.

I am without serious injury, just a stiff back, sore chest from the head-butt and slightly sprained wrist. My back and wrist injuries were as a result of front flipping head first over the gate. There was no provocation on my part and I did not have a dog with me—the cow was immediately aggressive and came out of nowhere.

Daniel has a question –

I am unsure what is the best thing to do after this attack. I am concerned that if I were smaller, slower or weaker than myself I would’ve been seriously hurt, and I would like to do whatever I can to stop that from happening in this particular field.

Killer Cows comment –

We agree, this situation could have resulted in far worse injuries if someone was not as quick to escape that field. We strongly advise everyone who has had a near miss or minor injury to report the incident to the Health and Safety Executive, they handle deaths and serious injuries and also those occasions where a potentially more lethal outcome could have occurred – and we know (unfortunately) that any attack by a cow is potentially extremely dangerous. https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm

Alison’s spoiled and extended walk

Report number: 818

Date of incident: 11/9/2023

Site of incident: near Tintagel, Cornwall

We were following a footpath through farmland and went over a stile and the next footpath was directly ahead following the hedge line. Unfortunately, right at the other end of the field, directly in front of the stile was the herd of cows.

So as not to spook them by walking directly towards them, we tried to go around. Unfortunately, these cows seemed territorial and were undecided as to whether they were going to allow us through or not.

They started coming towards us which did not seem like curiosity or to see if we had food. There was no where to go and my 14 year old was really scared. I tried talking calmly to them – but it made no difference. They looked like they were on the verge of charging.

In the end I made myself as big as possible with my arm out wide and clapped shouting “Back”. This caught them off guard and we managed to squeeze around them and over the stile. They quickly pursued us to the stile but luckily we were safely over. We had to re-route for the way home.

We weren’t injured, just badly frightened.

Charged at by a herd in Derbyshire

Report number: No. 749

Date of Incident 12 08 23

Location: Cliff Farm, Elton, Derbyshire. On public footpath.

Single person, no dog

When I entered the field the cattle and bull were lying down mostly at the bottom of the field a good distance away from me and the footpath. I didn’t see any young with them. As I started walking across the field they stood up and one started making an awful, aggressive sound. I continued calmly, didn’t change direction or pace and kept walking away from them.

There were a couple of cows very close to the footpath, they let me pass without any problem. I heard more noise, looked back and they were starting to walk quickly towards me, so I sped up as the field is quite big. When I looked back again they had start running towards me along with the two I had recently passed by. So I had to run!

I just made it to gap in the wall before the closest one reached me. I dived through and my ankle caught in the gap and fell. I hurt my ankle, shin and knee as I fell. It was a terrifying experience, the gate very close by was wide open and they could have come through there so I was still terrified as I crossed the next field. Thankfully, they stayed at the wall and continued to make aggressive noises.

Additional note – I had walked through another field previously with cattle (grid ref – SK21972 61197) I don’t know if it belongs to the same farm. This was a much smaller field and they had young with them. The cows didn’t mind me walking through, even though I had to walk straight through the herd and I had no issues, however I did notice as I was a good way over the field that there was a massive bull in there too with no signage anywhere. If it’s the same farm, it makes me think it’s a farmer with a bad attitude to walkers and rights of way.

Tom’s story – a cow with calf blocking the way and a blind farmer

Report number: 750

Date of incident: 7/8/23

Where: Yorkshire Dales, specifically on the public footpath between Carperby and Castle Bolton

No dog, 2 walkers

We were walking through fields toward Castle Bolton, our walk was about 90% completed. We saw ahead of us, a metal gate. On the other side of that gate, only about 15 feet away from it, we saw the rear of one cow. When we were about 45 – 50 feet from the gate we could see that the gate was the footpath’s exit route from the field. The cow turned around to face us directly. When we got a little closer we saw one very young calf (looked like it was born 5 or 10 days ago; I’ve seen a cow give birth, so I’m familiar with what a very young calf looks like,) the very young calf was suckling the cow that had just turned around to face us. We approached a little more, (now we were about 20 feet from the gate) and we saw that TWO very young calves were suckling the cow. We KNEW that we would not/could not open the gate and enter given the cow’s proximity to the gate. Also, if we had opened the gate, a dry stone wall was to our immediate right, and the cow would have been about 15 feet to our immediate left, and it was a long way to the next gate.