Being chased by cows

[778]

I have been chased by a single cow once. About 6 years ago I was walking through a field of cattle, and they were on the footpath, so I could not really avoid them. One of the cows was staring at me, so I waited for it to move away. After 5 minutes it stayed were it was, so I decided to take a chance and walk through the field. As I got close to it, it started running towards me. I ran in the opposite direction and the cow chased me for about 50 metres and then suddenly stopped. If it had carried on, I am sure it would have knocked me over. There is a good chance I could have been killed or badly injured.

Apart from that one incident, the majority of times I walk through fields, they do not even take any interest in me at all, normally just eating grass or lying down. I am still worried that it could happen again though.

I can't surely be the only person on this forum to have been chased by a cow? Being chased by a single cow was bad enough, but being chased by a herd of cattle would be horrendous.

Is there anything that can be done to stop cattle from chasing you, or was I just unlucky?

 

[GusB]

I have been chased by a single cow once. About 6 years ago I was walking through a field of cattle, and they were on the footpath, so I could not really avoid them. One of the cows was staring at me, so I waited for it to move away. After 5 minutes it stayed were it was, so I decided to take a chance and walk through the field. As I got close to it, it started running towards me. I ran in the opposite direction and the cow chased me for about 50 metres and then suddenly stopped. If it had carried on, I am sure it would have knocked me over. There is a good chance I could have been killed or badly injured.

Apart from that one incident, the majority of times I walk through fields, they do not even take any interest in me at all, normally just eating grass or lying down. I am still worried that it could happen again though.

I can't surely be the only person on this forum to have been chased by a cow? Being chased by a single cow was bad enough, but being chased by a herd of cattle would be horrendous.

Is there anything that can be done to stop cattle from chasing you, or was I just unlucky?

If they had calves then your presence certainly wouldn't have been appreciated.

You weren't carrying your lunch in a McDonald's bag, were you?

 

[Sorcerer]

I ran in the opposite direction and the cow chased me for about 50 metres and then suddenly stopped. If it had carried on, I am sure it would have knocked me over. There is a good chance I could have been killed or badly injured.

I think this shows that the cow's intention was to merely fend you off rather than hurt you. Cows can easily outrun a human, so chances are it probably stopped seeing you as a threat. Personally I would just keep your distance, move calmly and slowly, and definitely make sure you don't go too near the calves!

 

[yorksrob]

Cows can be very curious and friendly creatures.

I was once walking along a footpath that went through a field with a large number of smallish cows dotted around. Me and my friends had turned towards the river to look at the wildlife, when all of a sudden, I felt a wet nose on my elbow. I jumped and turned around to find one of them having a sniff, with her companions standing around.

When I jumped, all of the cows flinched a little, but we did our best to calm them.

 

[nw1]

I am really no fan of cows, and have felt this way since the age of about 10.

While some are harmless I find many of them act rather aggressively (whether they actually are or not) and it is alarming when herds of them approach you at high speed on a public footpath. I have had to crawl under barbed-wire fence and hack though undergrowth to avoid them in the past.

Bullocks are frequently problematic, too.

Whether there is hostile intent or not, I believe there needs to be much stronger legislation regarding cattle on public footpaths. In particular, if walking on a right of way, you should have a right not to feel threatened, and if cattle act apparently aggressively on a public footpath, the landowner needs to be served legal notice to remove the cattle from that field.

In a country which lacks dangerous predators, I'd consider cattle probably the UK's most dangerous animal. We have adders, but as long as you don't tread on them, they'll leave you alone.

 

[Peter Sarf]

I am really no fan of cows, and have felt this way since the age of about 10.

While some are harmless I find many of them act rather aggressively (whether they actually are or not) and it is alarming when herds of them approach you at high speed on a public footpath. I have had to crawl under barbed-wire fence and hack though undergrowth to avoid them in the past.

Bullocks are frequently problematic, too.

Whether there is hostile intent or not, I believe there needs to be much stronger legislation regarding cattle on public footpaths. In particular, if walking on a right of way, you should have a right not to feel threatened, and if cattle act apparently aggressively on a public footpath, the landowner needs to be served legal notice to remove the cattle from that field.

In a country which lacks dangerous predators, I'd consider cattle probably the UK's most dangerous animal. We have adders, but as long as you don't tread on them, they'll leave you alone.

My bold - I would beg to differ. Plenty of dangerous humans too and many with pre-meditated intent !.

In the case of cows maybe the previous users of the public right of way had been rather less considerate than you or I would be leading to the cows being rather more defensive. Of course if nobody ate Beef or drank Milk the problem would go away !. To be fair I will make an effort to avoid anything that could hurt me so would give cows a wide berth - bulls forget it, detour time !.

 

[D6130]

To be fair I will make an effort to avoid anything that could hurt me so would give cows a wide berth - bulls forget it, detour time !.

Generally, bulls are only dangerous when they are alone in a field. When accompanied by cows they're usually fine.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Generally, bulls are only dangerous when they are alone in a field. When accompanied by cows they're usually fine.

I can believe that. Apparently, in a night club type situation, the males are rarely aggressive unless without a female companion.

 

[westv]

Cows can be very dangerous and have killed people in the UK.
Of course the vast majority of times they are fine.

 

[Bikeman78]

While some are harmless I find many of them act rather aggressively (whether they actually are or not) and it is alarming when herds of them approach you at high speed on a public footpath. I have had to crawl under barbed-wire fence and hack though undergrowth to avoid them in the past.

When I was a teenager I was chased by a lot of cows whilst cycling across a field. I've never cycled so fast in all my life. I got to the edge of the field and leapt off the bike and over the stile double quick. I had to wait a few minutes until they lost interest before going back to retrieve the bike.

 

[nw1]

Generally, bulls are only dangerous when they are alone in a field. When accompanied by cows they're usually fine.

Strangely I've never had a problem with a bull, though would be careful not to get too close to one.

It's the bullocks which are more "lively", though unlike cows they tend not to chase you. Instead they just seem to run randomly from one part of the field to another, though this is still problematic if your path and theirs happens to cross.

 

[181]

In my experience, much the most common situation is cattle that are just being curious; this can be worrying if they run after you (especially if you're not used to it), but if you stop and wave your arms or advance on them, they'll back off.

Exuberant youngsters charging around the field could perhaps be dangerous without meaning to be, although I haven't come across them that often, and I'd hope they're capable of noticing what's in front of them.

What the OP describes is a cow that behaved aggressively when approached, rather than moving away or just staying where it was. This isn't common -- I don't think it's ever happened to me -- but it does sound an unpleasant situation to be in. Probably best to keep your distance if in doubt (especially if there are calves present).

Apparently bulls of dairy breeds tend to be much more aggressive than beef breeds, and consequently aren't allowed to be kept in fields with public rights of way even if cows are present, but you don't see many of them anyway, presumably because they're too much trouble for the farmers.

While a trekking pole might not be much use against a determined bovine, I doubt if even aggressive cattle are that deternined to do you harm once they've seen you off, and having one does feel reassuring in the presence of potentially dangerous cattle or dogs.

 

[Andyh82]

I would prefer it if cows were grazing in a field with a public footpath, the footpath could be segregated in some way, rather than the cows all standing slap bang on the trodden path

On many of my lockdown walks I’d either gone a different way or go scrabbling around in the undergrowth at the side of the field, to avoid a field of cows. Same goes for horses as well, in fact more so.

 

[181]

https://www.ramblers.org.uk/advice/safety/walking-near-livestock.aspx may be of interest.

 

[JonathanH]

https://www.ramblers.org.uk/advice/safety/walking-near-livestock.aspx may be of interest.

Walking near livestock

The countryside is an inspiring place to walk but it can also be little daunting when cows and bulls are grazing near your path.

But the countryside is working environment and it's important to be mindful and respectful of farms and farm animals, particularly during spring when cattle are rearing their young.

Here’s some advice from our experts on what do when walking near cattle:

Do
Stop, look and listen on entering a field. Look out for any animals and watch how they are behaving, particularly bulls or cows with calves
Try to avoid getting between cows and their calves
Be prepared for cattle to react to your presence, especially if you have a dog with you
Move quickly and quietly, and if possible walk around the herd
Keep your dog close, on a short lead, and under effective control
Remember to close gates behind you when walking through fields containing livestock
Report any frightening incidents or attacks to the landowner, the highway authority, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), and also the police if it's of a serious nature
Keep us informed of any problems you experience

Don’t
Don’t hang onto your dog if you are threatened by cattle - let it go as the cattle will chase the dog and not you
Don’t put yourself at risk by walking close to cattle
Don’t panic or run – most cattle will stop before they reach you; if they follow just walk on quietly

Cattle on your path

So what do you do when cattle are obstructing the path? Find another way, by going around the cattle. If cattle are blocking a path through a field, you’re well within your rights to find a safe way, away from the path to avoid them. You should then re-join the footpath as soon as possible – and when you consider it safe to do so.

Find out more about walking near livestock by reading the Countryside Code and Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I have been chased by a single cow once. About 6 years ago I was walking through a field of cattle, and they were on the footpath, so I could not really avoid them. One of the cows was staring at me, so I waited for it to move away. After 5 minutes it stayed were it was, so I decided to take a chance and walk through the field. As I got close to it, it started running towards me. I ran in the opposite direction and the cow chased me for about 50 metres and then suddenly stopped. If it had carried on, I am sure it would have knocked me over. There is a good chance I could have been killed or badly injured.

Apart from that one incident, the majority of times I walk through fields, they do not even take any interest in me at all, normally just eating grass or lying down. I am still worried that it could happen again though.

I can't surely be the only person on this forum to have been chased by a cow? Being chased by a single cow was bad enough, but being chased by a herd of cattle would be horrendous.

Is there anything that can be done to stop cattle from chasing you, or was I just unlucky?

This is an ENORMOUS fear of mine and prevents me from walking through any field that may have cows in.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Feb 2023 ==

I am really no fan of cows, and have felt this way since the age of about 10.

While some are harmless I find many of them act rather aggressively (whether they actually are or not) and it is alarming when herds of them approach you at high speed on a public footpath. I have had to crawl under barbed-wire fence and hack though undergrowth to avoid them in the past.

Bullocks are frequently problematic, too.

Whether there is hostile intent or not, I believe there needs to be much stronger legislation regarding cattle on public footpaths. In particular, if walking on a right of way, you should have a right not to feel threatened, and if cattle act apparently aggressively on a public footpath, the landowner needs to be served legal notice to remove the cattle from that field.

In a country which lacks dangerous predators, I'd consider cattle probably the UK's most dangerous animal. We have adders, but as long as you don't tread on them, they'll leave you alone.

I completely agree. An example is walking between Cholsey and Tilehurst along the Thames Path, we had to go all across cow fields and it puts me off.

As for what you've said in bold, I said exactly that to some new Australian friends only last week.

 

[Lost property]

Generally, bulls are only dangerous when they are alone in a field. When accompanied by cows they're usually fine.

I would politely disagree.

The relatives had a smallholding near Congleton, Mossley to be precise, hence my familiarity with the former level crossing, adjoining which were fields containing cattle..cows and bulls. Cows, I was told, were generally ok, but, not when there were calves around...cute though the calves may look.....bulls on the other hand....avoid !!....unpredictable and like humans, can be aggressive for no obvious reason.

Which is something I chose to remember many times when out walking.

We may not have predators such as brown snakes, salt water croc etc, but we do have wildlife that can be very aggressive and attack...seagulls and nesting birds being classical examples....domesticated animals are equally capable, certainly rams for obvious reasons.

 

[High Dyke]

Never really had a problem.when walking through a field of cows. I'm obviously not worth their effort.

Had more trouble as a bus driver when you encounter a cow or bull on a country lane in the dark.

 

[Peter Sarf]

I would politely disagree.

The relatives had a smallholding near Congleton, Mossley to be precise, hence my familiarity with the former level crossing, adjoining which were fields containing cattle..cows and bulls. Cows, I was told, were generally ok, but, not when there were calves around...cute though the calves may look.....bulls on the other hand....avoid !!....unpredictable and like humans, can be aggressive for no obvious reason.

Which is something I chose to remember many times when out walking.

We may not have predators such as brown snakes, salt water croc etc, but we do have wildlife that can be very aggressive and attack...seagulls and nesting birds being classical examples....domesticated animals are equally capable, certainly rams for obvious reasons.

Plenty of domesticated pets - dogs have done for a few humans. Probably the most dangerous - mainly the type of dogs owned by idiots.

---

I have to confess. The thread title keeps making me think about bad dreams .

 

[duncanp]

I was once "followed" by a herd of cows whilst out walking the London LOOP (between Uxbridge and Moor Park).

They weren't aggressive, but it was a bit unnerving, and I was glad to climb over a stile and out of their way.

I have also been on the Southern Upland Way in Scotland where cattle were blocking the path, and thought it best to give them a wide berth.

There have been cases where farmers have been killed by cattle, so even people familiar with handling them are not immune from attack.

 

[dangie]

I can’t believe folks are complaining about cows in fields. If the cow was chasing you around the streets or housing estate yes, but not in its own environment. Having a public right of way across a field means you are legally allowed to walk across that field. It does not mean the farmer has to take steps to ensure your safety. That is up to you.

 

[duncanp]

I can’t believe folks are complaining about cows in fields. If the cow was chasing you around the streets or housing estate yes, but not in its own environment. Having a public right of way across a field means you are legally allowed to walk across that field. It does not mean the farmer has to take steps to ensure your safety. That is up to you.

Not 100% true

Rights of way and cattle - Ramblers

The Ramblers - Britain’s walking charity working to protect and expand the places people love to walk and promote walking for health and pleasure. Walking information, advice and campaigns, walking news and events, group led walks and an online library of walking routes.

www.ramblers.org.uk

Farmers are allowed to keep cattle in fields with public access, but legislation bans the keeping of bulls in fields crossed by rights of way, unless they are less than 10 months old, or not of a recognised dairy breed. Beef bulls in such fields must be accompanied by cows or heifers. Health and safety laws require farmers to ensure that people not in their employment aren’t exposed to unnecessary risks by undertaking risk assessments.

 

[dangie]

If you’re nervous of cows don’t walk through a field with cows. Just because you’re allowed to, doesn’t mean you have to. I fail to see how a farmer could be held responsible for the behaviour of his cows.

 

[nw1]

If you’re nervous of cows don’t walk through a field with cows. Just because you’re allowed to, doesn’t mean you have to. I fail to see how a farmer could be held responsible for the behaviour of his cows.

And if your walking route takes you through a field of cows, and there is no easy alternative without detouring for miles?

Or even if there is an alternative, the footpath with the cows might be your preferred route (for example, it might lead to a nice viewpoint or interesting nature area). People should be able to walk along public footpaths without encountering threatening behaviour from farmed animals.

Why should a farmer not be held responsible for the behaviour of their cows? They put them in fields containing rights of way, it's their conscious decision to do that.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Feb 2023 ==

I can’t believe folks are complaining about cows in fields. If the cow was chasing you around the streets or housing estate yes, but not in its own environment. Having a public right of way across a field means you are legally allowed to walk across that field. It does not mean the farmer has to take steps to ensure your safety. That is up to you.

And how, exactly, are you supposed to ensure your safety against large numbers of animals larger than you?

 

[dangie]

…… And how, exactly, are you supposed to ensure your safety against large numbers of animals larger than you?

By not going near to them…??

 

[BanburyBlue]

This is an interesting post. I’ve never worried about cows. If I’ve walked through a field of cows, I just clapped my hands and they moved out of the way. I have always thought of cows as those benign creatures that are relatively docile and would move out the way when approached. I would never go near a bull, or indeed a cow with calf. But now I’m thinking that I must have got it all wrong after all these years. and frankly been an idiot.

 

[181]

This is an interesting post. I’ve never worried about cows. If I’ve walked through a field of cows, I just clapped my hands and they moved out of the way. I have always thought of cows as those benign creatures that are relatively docile and would move out the way when approached. I would never go near a bull, or indeed a cow with calf. But now I’m thinking that I must have got it all wrong after all these years. and frankly been an idiot.

I think that the great majority of the time, what you do is correct, and so far it's worked for me (although when feasible I might walk round a group of cows rather than insisting on going through the middle); from what you say it's worked for you too. (Even bulls and cows with calves aren't necessarily dangerous -- near me there are some very docile cattle, often including a bull, in a public open space that's more of a park than a field -- but best to be on the safe side). It's just that occasionally one can be unlucky, like the OP was.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

By not going near to them…??

I can't tell if you're trolling or not. Genuinely I can't. If not, how ridiculous. In many cases, not going near to them means to turn back and go back the way one came, which is not a fair expectation of someone on a public right of way just to avoid risk of severe harm by the animals.

 

[cb a1]

If you're in England, this page is helpful in explaining the responsibilities of landowners who have a 'right of way' on their land.

Public rights of way: landowner responsibilities

As the owner or occupier of land with a public right of way across it, you must keep the route visible and not obstruct or endanger users.

www.gov.uk

Livestock on land crossed by a public right of way: banned animals​

Bulls of recognised dairy breeds (Ayrshire, British Friesian, British Holstein, Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey, Jersey and Kerry) that are over the age of 10 months are banned by law from fields containing a public right of way.


Bulls over 10 months of any other breed must be accompanied by cows or heifers when in fields with public access.


Make sure that any warning notices relating to a bull are displayed only when it is actually present in a field.


Horses may be kept loose in fields crossed by public rights of way, as long as they are not known to be dangerous.


You can be prosecuted if you keep any potentially dangerous animal on land crossed by a public right of way.

Scotland is more nuanced. Conceptually, in England and Wales you are not allowed to go anywhere unless you are legally allowed to. In Scotland, you can go anywhere unless you are legalled not allowed to.

The guidance in Scotland is in the Outdoor Access Code which says the responsibilities of landowners (https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/practical-guide-all/farm-animals) is:

Responsible behaviour by the public​

The Access Code says:

Access rights extend to fields with farm animals, but remember that some animals, particularly cows with calves but also horses, pigs and farmed deer, can react aggressively towards people. Before entering a field, check to see what alternatives there are. If you are in a field of farm animals, keep a safe distance and watch them carefully. If you have a dog with you, see the guidance on dogs.

Responsible behaviour by land managers​

The Access Code says:

Keep animals known to be dangerous away from fields crossed by a core path or other well-used route. If this is not possible, tell the public and signpost a reasonable alternative route

 

[dangie]

I can't tell if you're trolling or not. Genuinely I can't.…….

I’ve just noticed that your location is Australia. Back in the UK we tend to think that every living thing in Australia wants to either kill you or eat you. Ok that is being a bit flippant, but compared to he UK where we consider a cow as probably our most dangerous animal we are quite a safe place. Crossing a field with cows is like crossing a busy road. Cross in a safe place, be observant and use common sense.