{"id":36269,"date":"2024-04-16T17:02:29","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T15:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/c53f4367-88ae-4813-ad50-f7f72dee80f0"},"modified":"2024-04-16T18:39:23","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T16:39:23","slug":"how-dangerous-are-cows-to-walkers","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/how-dangerous-are-cows-to-walkers\/","title":{"rendered":"How dangerous are cows to walkers?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"rssexcerpt\">Calm, cud-chewing bovines or a serious threat to walkers \u2013 just how dangerous are cows in Britain&#8217;s countryside? <\/p><p class=\"rssauthor\">By <\/p><p class=\"rssbyline\">Published: Tuesday, 16 April 2024 at 15:02 PM<\/p><hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><p>Grazing cows are an ubiquitous sight in the British countryside, and many a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/go-outdoors\/walks\/britains-footpaths-why-are-so-many-disappearing-and-how-to-save-a-footpath\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">public footpath<\/a> snakes through fields full of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/wildlife\/mammals\/native-british-cattle-breeds-and-how-to-recognise-them\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cattle<\/a>, usually so used to humans that they barely give walkers a second glance.<\/p><p>But reports of these traditionally docile animals injuring and even killing people has worried visitors to rural areas. Are livestock in public places more of a danger than we think?<\/p><p>Here we investigate how dangerous cows are to walkers and simple guidelines to follow to keep yourself safe.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Are livestock in public places more of a danger than we think? \u00a9Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Tragically, over the years, cattle-related fatalities have given weight to this argument. In 2014, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-27441109\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Peter Jakeman<\/a>, 62, from Callington, was trampled to death by a herd of stampeding cows while walking his dogs through a field in Derbyshire. He was airlifted to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, but had sustained fatal injuries.<\/p><p>In 2009, <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/1\/hi\/england\/8115762.stm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Liz Crowsley<\/a>, 49, from Warrington, was walking the Pennine Way in the Yorkshire Dales, when she too was trampled to death as she walked her two dogs. Police believed that the cows had become aggressive after feeling threatened by Ms Crowley\u2019s spaniel and collie.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-group highlight-box is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"><p>More related content:<\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/wildlife\/mammals\/native-british-cattle-breeds-and-how-to-recognise-them\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Native British cattle breeds and how to recognise them<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/news\/guide-to-alabama-rot-dog-disease-how-to-spot-the-signs-and-protect-your-dog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Guide to Alabama rot dog disease: How to spot the signs and protect your dog<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/go-outdoors\/walks\/dog-walking-guide-expert-training-tips-to-help-your-dog-behave\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dog walking guide: expert training tips to help your dog behave<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-do-these-incidents-happen\">Why do these incidents happen?<\/h2><p>Notably, dogs were involved in the tragic unfolding of both of these cases and have been an influential factor in other cases as well. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramblers.org.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Ramblers Association<\/a> point out that &#8220;cows see dogs as a much greater threat than humans&#8221;.<\/p><p>Cattle will instinctively become aggressive towards a chasing dog when protecting calves, often following the dog as it returns back to its owner. Sharon Woods of The Ramblers Association explains that \u201cspring and early summer are when cows feel most vulnerable to interlopers, but they can be spooked into reacting at any time of the year&#8221;.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2018\/09\/GettyImages-504037003-daca40c.jpg\" alt=\"Related light boxes;\" class=\"wp-image-6131\" title=\"Irish Cows\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> &#8220;Cows see dogs as a much greater threat than humans,&#8221; says The Ramblers Association \u00a9Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>The way we behave around cattle can also be a factor. A herd\u2019s curiosity towards someone walking through their field can be mistaken for animosity, and a walker\u2019s impulsive actions can increase any perceived threat. Therefore, walkers are advised to remain calm and refrain from making any startling or quick movements when they come across cows.<\/p><p>Some farmers are also taking extreme measures to avoid any problems on their land. Alan Brunt, the owner of a picturesque meadow in Frome, Somerset, sparked public outrage recently after he erected a 6ft-high, 300ft-long spiked steel fence around a public walkway through his land in order to stop dog walkers from straying into his fields.<\/p><p>Defending resolutely his decision to implement this new unsightly structure, Brunt said \u201cI did it so that it is safe for both parties, people can walk through safely, dogs can walk through next to the cattle safely. I\u2019ve seen lots of instances where cattle have chased dogs\u201d.<\/p><p>However, despite increased media coverage and isolated incidences, statistics provided by the Health and Safety Executive show that cow-related deaths are not common, with only 17 occurring between 2001-2011. The best bet for walkers? Get out and enjoy the countryside, but take steps to protect yourself and stay safe around cattle.<\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/animals\/farm-animals\/how-fast-does-a-cow-run\"><strong>How fast does a cow run?<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-stay-safe-walking-through-a-field-of-cows\">How to stay safe walking through a field of cows<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1038\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2018\/09\/dog20on20lead-9baf5d1.jpg\" alt=\"dog20on20lead-9baf5d1\" class=\"wp-image-6132\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-group listicle is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-layout-14 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-layout-20\"><p class=\"listicle__count\">1<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading listicle__title\" id=\"h-keep-dogs-on-a-lead\">Keep dogs on a lead<\/h3><\/div><p><br\/>If you\u2019re with a dog you should keep it on its lead, particularly during calving season. By law farmers are entitled to destroy any dog that injures or worries their animal.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-group listicle is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-layout-15 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-layout-21\"><p class=\"listicle__count\">2<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading listicle__title\" id=\"h-stay-well-clear-of-calves-and-resist-temptation-to-pet-them\">Stay well clear of calves, and resist temptation to pet them<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-group listicle is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-layout-16 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-layout-22\"><p class=\"listicle__count\">3<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading listicle__title\" id=\"h-but-if-you-feel-threatened-let-your-dog-off-the-lead\">But, if you feel threatened \u2013 let your dog off the lead<\/h3><\/div><p>If you feel threatened by a herd when you are with a dog, let go of its lead so you and it can get to safety separately.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-group listicle is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-layout-17 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-layout-23\"><p class=\"listicle__count\">4<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading listicle__title\" id=\"h-move-calmly\">Move calmly<\/h3><\/div><p>Move in a careful, calm way, if you sense a threat, keep moving with your body facing the cow; don\u2019t turn your back to the animal or run.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-group listicle is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-layout-18 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-layout-24\"><p class=\"listicle__count\">5<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading listicle__title\" id=\"h-inform-the-landowner-or-authority-of-any-incidents\">Inform the landowner or authority of any incidents<\/h3><\/div><p>Tell the landowner and highway authority about any attacks or frightening incidents and contact the Health &amp; Safety Executive and Police if it\u2019s of a serious nature.<\/p><p\/> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Calm, cud-chewing bovines or a serious threat to walkers \u2013 just how dangerous are cows in Britain&#8217;s countryside? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":36270,"template":"","categories":[1,146,115],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"4"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/04\/how-dangerous-are-cows-to-walkers.jpg",2121,1414,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/04\/how-dangerous-are-cows-to-walkers-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/04\/how-dangerous-are-cows-to-walkers-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/04\/how-dangerous-are-cows-to-walkers-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/04\/how-dangerous-are-cows-to-walkers-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/04\/how-dangerous-are-cows-to-walkers-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/04\/how-dangerous-are-cows-to-walkers-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Calm, cud-chewing bovines or a serious threat to walkers \u2013 just how dangerous are cows in Britain's countryside?","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/36269"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36270"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}