Response ID 308,617,615
Report number: 1028
Date of incident: 21/10/24
Location: We were walking along the riverside from Grassington to Burnsall, in the Yorkshire Dales
Report: “A group of us were walking through the field, we had a dog on a lead. There were no warning signs to let us know cattle were grazing. We could see two cows in the far distance up a hill and we couldn’t see any other cows at this point. As we walked further my partner said, oh there’s lots of cows heading this way. They were moving quite fast and they started trotting. I turned around and walked calmly and quickly back to the gate. Two other people started running. My partner stayed with my elderly father in law and hurried to get him out as the cows were now right behind them mooing and swishing their tales. It was very scary. We felt if we’d gone further in the field the consequences would have been very different.
Signage should be clearly visible warning walkers that cattle are grazing. And to warn people especially those who have dogs that they could potentially be at risk.”
Killer Cows state: All too often cattle present in a field will spoil or stop a walk. So-called “experts” will advise you to assess the cows before entering the field – well that couldn’t work here. “Experts” ask you to assess whether they are just curious or after food – but are you going to stand in a field and wait for them to get to you to see if they are angrily trotting towards you or not? The solution is clear – separate walkers and cattle, with a fence if the cows have to be in that field. It is illegal to block or obstruct a public right of way, cattle that stop you walking are illegal.
Cattle Safety 