Stroud reflective cow collars fail to stop road deaths

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Fitting reflective collars to cows has failed to stem the number being hit by vehicles in Gloucestershire.

About 500 cows are released to graze on Minchinhampton, Rodborough, and Selsley commons near Stroud each summer.

In May, a reflective collar trial began in a bid to reduce cattle deaths, but the collars either fell off during the summer or were impaired by dirt.

Seven cows have been killed since May and now herdsmen are considering painting the cows with luminous paint.

Hayward to the commons Mark Dawkins, who looks after the cattle, said the latest idea "sounds completely crazy and it probably is".

He said a similar scheme had been tried on Dartmoor where ponies had been painted to try to stop them being hit by cars.

"It's an idea that came from Finland where apparently they lose up to 4,000 reindeer each year though road traffic accidents," he added.

"They've been painting luminous paint on their antlers."

Last year, six cows were killed in collisions on the commons and 13 died in 2013.