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| Walkers warned over cow dangers | Walkers warned over cow dangers |
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| Farming unions have warned walkers, especially those with dogs, to be aware of the dangers posed by cows with calves. | Farming unions have warned walkers, especially those with dogs, to be aware of the dangers posed by cows with calves. |
| Three people have died in as many months and others have been injured. | Three people have died in as many months and others have been injured. |
| They include the former Home Secretary David Blunkett who was trampled while walking with his guide dog. | They include the former Home Secretary David Blunkett who was trampled while walking with his guide dog. |
| Farmers are becoming increasingly worried and say walkers should be aware that cattle are naturally protective towards calves and can attack dogs. | Farmers are becoming increasingly worried and say walkers should be aware that cattle are naturally protective towards calves and can attack dogs. |
| Three walkers have died in the past three months alone. | Three walkers have died in the past three months alone. |
| The former Home Secretary David Blunkett was trampled earlier this year as he was out walking with his guide dog Sadie in the Peak District. | The former Home Secretary David Blunkett was trampled earlier this year as he was out walking with his guide dog Sadie in the Peak District. |
| David Blunkett: 'The next thing I knew the cow had hit me.' | David Blunkett: 'The next thing I knew the cow had hit me.' |
| The Sheffield MP let Sadie go and she ran to safety. | The Sheffield MP let Sadie go and she ran to safety. |
| He suffered three broken ribs and bruising. | He suffered three broken ribs and bruising. |
| "It made me realise how serious this can be and I've had literally scores of letters from people injured or relatives of people who have been injured or even killed," said Mr Blunkett. | "It made me realise how serious this can be and I've had literally scores of letters from people injured or relatives of people who have been injured or even killed," said Mr Blunkett. |
| The farming unions say walkers who feel threatened by cattle should always let their dog off the lead. | The farming unions say walkers who feel threatened by cattle should always let their dog off the lead. |
| They say they want people to enjoy the countryside but be aware of the dangers. | They say they want people to enjoy the countryside but be aware of the dangers. |
| Ed Rees, chairman of the livestock board at the National Farmers' Union Cymru (NFU), said it was natural that cows would protect their calves. | Ed Rees, chairman of the livestock board at the National Farmers' Union Cymru (NFU), said it was natural that cows would protect their calves. |
| "Initially when you're walking with a dog, keep it on a lead in case you encounter sheep. | "Initially when you're walking with a dog, keep it on a lead in case you encounter sheep. |
| HOW TO AVOID CATTLE DANGERS Don't be afraid of them but be mindful they are protective of their youngIf you feel threatened let your dog off the leadTake a walking stick with youBe bold and walk straight through themSource: NFU Cymru Why do cows attack? | HOW TO AVOID CATTLE DANGERS Don't be afraid of them but be mindful they are protective of their youngIf you feel threatened let your dog off the leadTake a walking stick with youBe bold and walk straight through themSource: NFU Cymru Why do cows attack? |
| "But if it's cattle, and if they come towards you, let the dog go as they'll see the dog as the enemy and if you're seen as trying to protect your dog, you may be in trouble. | "But if it's cattle, and if they come towards you, let the dog go as they'll see the dog as the enemy and if you're seen as trying to protect your dog, you may be in trouble. |
| "Just take a walking stick with you - be bold and walk straight through them. These animals are just protecting themselves and they see the dog as a threat to themselves and their calves." | "Just take a walking stick with you - be bold and walk straight through them. These animals are just protecting themselves and they see the dog as a threat to themselves and their calves." |
| Mr Rees said it was tragic when the trampling incidents occurred but they were still very rare. | Mr Rees said it was tragic when the trampling incidents occurred but they were still very rare. |
| Farmer Harold Lee, 75, from Somerset died in hospital earlier this month after being trampled after his herd were apparently startled by a fire engine siren. | Farmer Harold Lee, 75, from Somerset died in hospital earlier this month after being trampled after his herd were apparently startled by a fire engine siren. |
| A walker, Anita Hinchey, 63, was trampled to death in July by cows when she tried to rescue her dog which ran into the herd near Cardiff. | A walker, Anita Hinchey, 63, was trampled to death in July by cows when she tried to rescue her dog which ran into the herd near Cardiff. |
| In June, 49-year-old vet Liz Crowsley was trampled to death by a herd of cattle while walking the Pennine Way with her two dogs. | In June, 49-year-old vet Liz Crowsley was trampled to death by a herd of cattle while walking the Pennine Way with her two dogs. |
| Before the latest incidents, Health and Safety Executive figures showed that 18 people had been killed and 481 injured by cows in the previous eight years. | Before the latest incidents, Health and Safety Executive figures showed that 18 people had been killed and 481 injured by cows in the previous eight years. |
| Have you ever been in danger or injured by cows? Let us know your experiences and we will publish a selection of your responses. | Have you ever been in danger or injured by cows? Let us know your experiences and we will publish a selection of your responses. |
| Walking on edge of field with a mixed herd of cattle over the far side.. Walking with two tiny dogs and one lab sized dog on leads but the herd came toward us and started running us out of the field. Let go of the dogs but one decided to protect us by barking madly at the herd and trying to stand his ground - he was the only one of us not petrified! We scooped him up and ran to the gate with the herd on our heels making a hell of a racket. I'm just very garetful our very old dog kept running because I don't think the herd would have stopped until they'd done some damage.. No calves were in the field. I didn't stop shaking for a week and coulndt even laugh about how lucky we were for at least two weeks! Sam bernardis, Peterborough, uk | Walking on edge of field with a mixed herd of cattle over the far side.. Walking with two tiny dogs and one lab sized dog on leads but the herd came toward us and started running us out of the field. Let go of the dogs but one decided to protect us by barking madly at the herd and trying to stand his ground - he was the only one of us not petrified! We scooped him up and ran to the gate with the herd on our heels making a hell of a racket. I'm just very garetful our very old dog kept running because I don't think the herd would have stopped until they'd done some damage.. No calves were in the field. I didn't stop shaking for a week and coulndt even laugh about how lucky we were for at least two weeks! Sam bernardis, Peterborough, uk |
| We had a very scary experience whilst on a walking holiday and had to jump a fence with our two dogs to escape aggressive cattle chasing us and trying to kick us (it just didn't occur to us in the panic to let the dogs go). We would never walk through a field with cattle now (even without dogs)Joyce, West Linton, UK | We had a very scary experience whilst on a walking holiday and had to jump a fence with our two dogs to escape aggressive cattle chasing us and trying to kick us (it just didn't occur to us in the panic to let the dogs go). We would never walk through a field with cattle now (even without dogs)Joyce, West Linton, UK |
| I had a terrifying experience in June the day before vet Liz Crowsley was killed when I was walking on a public footpath through a field on a route near my home that I use regularly. Fortunately I released my dogs but if I hadn't I would most definitely have been seriously injured or killed by a herd of 40+ cattle including a bull. These incidences are more common than the organisations with a vested interest would have you believe and in my opinion farmers are being willfully and knowingly negligent when putting highly dangerous animals in areas where they will come into contact with the public. More people will die and be seriously injured before something is done about it.Stewart Thompson, Darlington, England | I had a terrifying experience in June the day before vet Liz Crowsley was killed when I was walking on a public footpath through a field on a route near my home that I use regularly. Fortunately I released my dogs but if I hadn't I would most definitely have been seriously injured or killed by a herd of 40+ cattle including a bull. These incidences are more common than the organisations with a vested interest would have you believe and in my opinion farmers are being willfully and knowingly negligent when putting highly dangerous animals in areas where they will come into contact with the public. More people will die and be seriously injured before something is done about it.Stewart Thompson, Darlington, England |
| A neighbour and I were walking our dogs (on leads) a couple of months ago in a field in Ongar where there are cows and for no reason at all they began to charge us and headbut my neighbour!! I was absolutely terrified and ran for my life! There were no young calves around - just a bunch of evil cows! Needless to say I do not go into this "cow field" any more :-)Tracey Cusick, Ongar Essex | |
| HI everyone Cows with calves pose a very high risk especially continental breeds. I currently have one on the farm here and she will eat nuts out of my hand most of the year. The day she calves and for weeks after my life is in danger if I get too close. Dogs also will seek refuge behind owners and add further risk of personal injury.I have worked with stock from my youth and didn't think that occassionaly a cow could be more dangerous than a bull.The moral of the story is keep well clear of them just in case there is a rogue waiting. Regards Arthur McKevitt, Newry NI | |
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