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!”
Cattle Safety 