Response ID 308,860,893
Report number 1032
Date of incident: 30/06/23
Location: Alongside the canal at Smithybridge (Hollingworth lake, Rochdale)
Account: “I was dog walking along the canal at Smithybridge. It is a tarmac public footpath, which cars use as a short cut. I had 2 frenchie dogs on leads, not barking. There was one cow half on the path and I was wondering whether to walk behind or turn round and take the 2 mile walk back instead. When I got to approx 5ft from it, it backed up a couple of steps completely blocking the path. When I turned to go back there were approx 8 more behind me. As soon as I turned they started scraping their hooves and mooing. I let go of the dogs, next thing I knew I was knocked (luckily) into a ditch.
I curled up into a fetal ball whilst they circled and tried to stamp on me. The noise was horrendous, I really didn’t think I would survive. Then it went quiet. I was afraid to even look up. I crawled in agony to the cattle grid ( I don’t know the distance but it took me about 30 mins). The dogs were sat waiting. I called a friend to come for me. We took the dogs back to the house and then she took me to hospital. I had 4 fractured ribs, a fractured collar bone and a bust ankle. I stayed overnight but had to look after the dogs, so signed myself out the next day. I called the police to see if they needed it on record…they said no it’s a civil matter.”
She adds “I would like the adverts on tv where there are men/woman stroking cows in a field to stop.”
Cattle Safety 