Response ID 311,461,278
Incident number 1067
Date: 26.10.24
Site: Oswestry. Followed route 4 of the ‘Offa’s Dyke Path Circular Walks’ issued by ‘Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail’ and ‘Shropshire Council Outdoor Recreation’. The incident happened by Gwalia Wood which is point 8 on the route map at about 15:45.
2 walkers, no dog
Roger’s account: “We emerged from Gwalia Wood and went into the field where cows were grazing and actually moving away from us on the far side of the field. After walking just a short distance on a diagonal away from the cows and toward the sign posted exit point, we noticed that several of the cows had spotted us and had turned and were now running toward us closely followed by the rest of the herd (probably numbering about 50 animals). At the speed the cows were running we would not be able to retrace our steps the way we had come. I told my wife to run to our left and toward a closed metal vehicle gate. We reached the gate just as the first cow got to within 10 feet of us and I turned and started shouting and waving my arms to drive them back. This action stopped them long enough to allow us to climb the gate and exit the field before they came crowding around the gate. We followed a farm track, circling the wood back to where we had originally been and eventually getting back onto the published route at the hamlet of Bwlch.”
“My wife was in a terrible state, physically shaking and suffering from arthritis in her knee which after running and gate climbing meant she was in considerable discomfort walking back. We discussed the incident that night in the bar of an Oswestry hotel where we dined and were told by a local that the cows in question were well known for pursuing walkers.”
Roger adds: “The public footpath across the field where we encountered the cows is on a diagonal and on a right to left slope. The ground was very soft and we were effectively on the receiving end of a cavalry charge. It would help if the ‘tourist maps/leaflets’ make mention of the possibility of encountering livestock and to provide clear alternative routes where appropriate.”
Roger supplied the photograph of the herd at the gate following the incident.
Cattle Safety 