Walkers beware

Kerry · #1 (**permalink**) 30-10-2007, 07:20 PM

Walkers beware, especially if you have dogs with you: Cows attack man:

BBC NEWS | England | Sussex | Cows attack dog walker in field

demicav · #2 (**permalink**) 30-10-2007, 07:36 PM

That's real bad but Cows can be unpredictable like any animal. I would never cross a field with cows present, especially with my dogs. I remember when I was young we all went on a long ramble, a few families. Somehow we ended up coming face to face with a Bull which I'll never forget then some wild horses, it was an experience. Yes, I think we were lost.

colincurry · #3 (**permalink**) 30-10-2007, 07:52 PM

Many years ago in Kent, I was out walking with my brother-in-law, elder son and Curry, our Springer (hence username). We were walking along the river towards the railway embankment that we intended to climb to use the railway bridge to cross the river. In the field were about 50 very young bullocks. They kept walking up towards us, and, several times we shooed them off. Suddenly, they began to run towards us and we just managed to get through the fence at the bottom of the embankment.

The way home led through the railway station, across a bridge and through a field to the churchyard. At the top of this field were three or four larger bullocks. We carried on walking but were soon made aware of the rapidly nearing bullocks. We all four quickly ran to the cemetery wall and over we went - not a moment too soon.

When we reached home, my wife asked why did I have a white face!

I have been very careful since. especially as some of our local fields house bulls even though there is a public footpath.

Colin

PS When I was a young boy, I used to help deliver bread on Saturdays. The driver's father had been a cowman who was trampled to death by his own cows. On that happy note, I'll leave you.

matt_xyz · #4 (**permalink**) 30-10-2007, 08:43 PM

I've heard of one or two similar incidents in recent years. I must admit I am always slightly on edge when I have to walk near a herd of cows, but especially bullocks and heffers. They can be particularly 'frisky'. It pays to keep close to a wall or hedge that you can jump over if need be, particularly if you have a dog with you.

Matt

Paul mabbott · #5 (**permalink**) 30-10-2007, 09:16 PM

Cows generally don't bother me although I was chased by a herd of bullocks as a lad. There are increasing numbers of highland cattle about nowadays - they look more aggressive with the long horns but I'm yet to hear of any problem.

It's horses that worry me - they will actually attack rather than just crushing you accidentally.

Mind, I was charged by a sheep a couple of weeks back ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

I've heard of one or two similar incidents in recent years. I must admit I am always slightly on edge when I have to walk near a herd of cows, but especially bullocks and heffers. They can be particularly 'frisky'. It pays to keep close to a wall or hedge that you can jump over if need be, particularly if you have a dog with you.

Matt

naturelover · #6 (**permalink**) 30-10-2007, 09:20 PM

thing is if your dog attacks the cows the farmer has the right to shoot it,cant we shoot the cows if they attack us,no of course we cant,bit one sided then isnt it.

honeybee · #7 (**permalink**) 30-10-2007, 09:32 PM

I've been chased by cows so many times and I'm always a wimp about it. I remember once when I was a kid being surrounded by bullocks and another time being chased by a herd, my dad turned around and punched the ring leader on the nose! Usually it's curriosity, especially if you have dogs with you and they're just a bit frisky. The worst is usually cows with calfs, I wouldnt walk through them, they protect their offspring. Jersey bulls and certain breeds I think have a bad reputation. It's bad when potentially dangerous animals are on a footpath. I think i've been chased by most animals, sheep can be quite bad, especially rams with horns! Lived to tell the tale though.

agrumpycow · #8 (**permalink**) 30-10-2007, 10:23 PM

When we stayed in a remote park of Scotland a few years ago to get to the cottage you had to drive through a field full cows and the largest most menacing looking bull bull I have seen, I swear it glared and us each time we drove through. One particular day it was standing blocking the gate I needed to open to get out of the field. After some waiting it meandered up looking me in the eye all the time, got to the car, scratched it's bottom on the wing causing the car to rock from side to side too much for my liking and painting the car in the process (if you know what I mean!). I've never liked cows that much and was so pleased I was 'safe' in my car!!!

CurreHound · #9 (**permalink**) 30-10-2007, 10:59 PM

I can't understand why this would surprise anyone.
One of the most stupid things I ever heard, and just another symptom of the Disneyfication of animals over the last forty or so years, was in the movie "Jurassic park".
The kids and Sam Neil are asleep in a tree when a large herbivore dinosaur approaches.
"He says something like
"don't worry...it's a veggiesaurus" as though herbivores are not dangerous.

I have encountered big cats and wolves in the wild. On all occasions, they have moved away. I believe partly because our upright stance is seen as dangerous: they don't quite get it. Think of other animals that stand in this way: gorillas, or a bear, often when in threatening mode. These animals are also herbivore or omnivore btw. So I think predators can be nervous of us. There are many other reasons of course but that is one not thought of.

Now herbivores are often herd animals. Certainly in the case of cattle, and especially horses.
when you get close to such animals in the countryside it is wise to keep your distance. You may be surprised to know that cows are often at the top the list of traumatic injury and death in the UK to humans.

When herd animals are threatened, they can employ a variety of tactics to deal with the threat. Stampeding, coralling etc can have very grave consequences if you are caught in the middle of them. They literally put themselves so closely together they can crush you between them or against something.
In addition, cattle and horses have an impressive armoury of weapons designed to defend them from large predators ; when employed against puny humans, even in curiosity or play, they can be deadly.
The simple truth is it was completely irresponsible for the government to open up areas of the countryside to walkers without warning them of the dangers presented by cattle horses, and even sheep.
We have a pet lamb and it just put someone in hospital with a severely injured back because it leapt at him in the field. Don't laugh....I know it sounds like the rabbit in Monty Python or something but it was no laughing matter for the victim who know has a severe back problem. It has also caused a kid from a nearby housing estate to have stitches and a shot for tetanus because it was none too keen on playing with him. the lamb is actually 18 months old and being bottle fed and welsh, is quite a burly little madam. The golden Lab on the farm regularly gives up on play with it because she is too rough.

Then there is our horse. It is a retired top class racehorse which was renowned for its temperament rather than its achievements. In on race, he and another horse bit chunks out of each other in their race to "lead the herd".
Now my girlfriend and I and the people who are used to horses know and respect him and all other thoroughbreds. They approach with correct body language and caution. Now when people s him in the afternoon who may be out on a walk, he would look a very peaceable creature grazing with the two year old little pony who is his companion. he is not. If he doesn't know you, if you are not in his herd (as we are) he will attack you. You will be assaulted by an animal that can travel at 40mph with its ears flat back to its head and when on you he will either reel round and give you two barrels of oblivion from his rear hoofs, or rear up on you and strike that way. If you go down, he will then stamp on you.
even if he doesn't see you as a threat, he will almost certainly deliver you a crushing bite if you approach his head or neck. That is only for herd members or those who know how to approach horses. Whiffling is okay for us but not for you.

Now you see we have problems don't we? Because if we put a sign on the gate saying "this animal is dangerous" then anyone attacked can say "they knew it was dangerous...it should have been destroyed". BUT if we put no sign up, we can say.."Well he has never done anything like that before...its a mystery".
It is a nightmare for every owner of a hot blooded horse.

It frightens us to death when we see the bobble hats and rucksacks crossing the field which these ramblers mistakenly believe they are now allowed to walk through.

See what they don't realise, is that it isn't a question of right to roam and farmers land. BECAUSE MY HORSE DOESN'T CARE TOO MUCH FOR HUMAN LEGAL CONCERNS. HE KNOWS THE FIELD IS HIS AND IF HE DOESN'T WANT YOU IN IT: YOU HAVE PROBLEMS.
I have tried to talk to him about being nice to people and respecting their right to roam but he doesn't get it sorry.

It can be the same with cattle.

Please...respect animals like this because they are not as cute as they look: serene looking herbivore herd animals can be killing machines. If you saw horses when they are first turned out (not that many of you are up that early!) you would see what they are capable of as they enjoy the full abilities of their bodies. NEVER understimate any animal.