[Closed] Cattle and public ROW

Caveat: I grew up on a farm and I intensely dislike cattle. They’re big, stupid, aggressive animals, and extremely protective of their herd. I will quite happily trespass off a public footpath to avoid passing through a field with cows.

Dairy by any chance? I love cows they're big and mischievous and really inquisitive. They're also 3/4 tonne so it can go wrong. I've been caught out and had a bull come up to ne and start nudging my ear but not in anyway threatening just having a good old nose about then walk away.

I won't go through the middle of a herd but will enter a field. Mind you i live in Scotland so not bound by the nonsense of sticking to a predetermined line on a map 😁

Where footpaths run directly across fields some redirection is going to be required, but adequate protective fencing along footpaths must be a equally suitable option.

A much better solution would be to (as you suggest you do) simply walk round the things and fields containing them. I do wonder how many of the incidents with cattle stem from the "this is where the footpath goes and I'm sticking to it" brigade being too stubborn or unimaginative to walk along the other side of a wall instead of through a field full of cows.

Farmers shouldn't need (nor be entitled) to redirect the paths, but they should have zero course for complaint when the local ramblers walk through their garden instead of the field they've filled with cows and calves.

I will quite happily trespass off a public footpath to avoid passing through a field with cows

This is my approach, my wife's uncle was killed by a cow at Threlkeld a long time ago so she will not go near them. It is a real pain when we are doing a three mile loop walk and cows are in the last field with no diversion. When cycling I take the cautious approach whilst ready to jump behind the bike followed by a quick uptake in speed when I get past them.

It is a genuine issue and it would be a real shame if footpaths were changed materially. Unfortunately it often seems that the cows are more likely to be in fields with footpaths than those without, presumably it is an access issue.

I do wonder how many of the incidents with cattle stem from the “this is where the footpath goes and I’m sticking to it” brigade being too stubborn or unimaginative to walk along the other side of a wall instead of through a field full of cows.

Or the opposite, I better go that way, that's the ROW, If I cut into another field, the farmer could be a right arsehole about it.

A lot of these incidences seem to coincide with the injured having dogs with them, and keeping them on the lead.

I'd really under-estimated the risk.

We were on a ride the other evening that meant passing through a large herd. It was dark and they were motionless (do they sleep standing up?). One of our group expressed concern. Cue significant piss taking from the rest of us.

The following day we read the story about the guy in Richmond. So joke was on us.

For me, some sense of what to do around a herd of cattle (or a single bull) in a field would be a start.

What is good and bad? Sudden moves? Bright colours? When are a herd likely to be antsy? Do they get hangry? At the very least some do's and don'ts on a sign by the field would be a good start.

Would be interesting to know how many of the 48 injuries were to the public. I guess working on a farm milking those beasts in a slippery, confined space would be hugely dangerous. How many of the injuries were to non-farm workers?

I've been out on my own in a field when they started to 'charge' and were fully aware that I was aiming for the gate in the corner of the field, so maybe not that stupid either...

NFU campaigning for farmers to be allowed to re-route footpaths but suspect the result would be permanent redirection off and then around their land by road.

Yeah I saw that and thought it might prove a rather handy excuse. Just as with the "covid protective measures". Nice easy way to make an area inaccessible.

When are a herd likely to be antsy?

The starter for ten is if they have calves with them. I would be very wary of going into a field with young calfs and definitely dont get between them and the parent.
If you have a dog be doubly wary

Many of my rides involve passing through fields that turn out to have cattle in them. At least I'm in Scotland so don't have to stick to a path, but I'll still watch this thread with interest to see if there are any good tips.

Mine are just walk don't cycle (as the latter seems to excite them) and keep an eye on your escape route. That said, I've never had an issue.

I grew up around cows. Personally I've never once had any issues, as long as you treat them properly then they'll leave you alone - don't surprise them and give them a wide berth, especially if there's calves around. Cows are a 'flight' animal so unless they're cornered or threatened they tend to just run away.

Generally, more education's required, I know plenty of people that won't go near a cow just because they don't know how to deal with them. Also, no-one's going to tell you off for walking the long way around a field so not to disturb a herd, most (if not all) farmers would rather you do that than cause unnecessary stress to the herd and put yourself in danger.
Equally I'd expect a farmer to have a duty of care not to put any temperamental livestock in a field with a footpath, or at least put up signage and offer an alternative.

I found short Japanese poetry puts them off. I even penned a "Hi coo" haiku.

Out of interest how does that number of injuries compare with dog attacks?

Certain breeds of bull shouldn't be placed in fields with ROWs across them by law. But cows and calves can represent a much bigger risk.

I tend to make a judgement based on the stance of the herd, the breed, presence of calves and presence of a bull among them. I've taken the choice to detour around a couple of fields local to me recently because the herd seemed agitated, even though I've passed through dozens of times previously with no incident. I guess they may have been spooked by a dog earlier.

If I'm in two minds, or a herd is paying me more attention than usual, I'll get off the bike and talk to them so they know I'm a human. Bullocks are naturally inquisitive and like to approach, but generally cowardly so they'll run off if you shout and wave - if you start running away, they'll chase after you.

If a herd is paying attention, snorting and lowing a lot, if a female starts moving towards you and I suspect there are calves present, I'll back off and go around. You just don't whether they are spooked. And I don't walk/cycle between a mum and her calf if they are on opposite sides of the trail!

Or the opposite, I better go that way, that’s the ROW, If I cut into another field, the farmer could be a right arsehole about it.

I'd class that as unimaginative to be honest. Tomato tomato.

A lot of these incidences seem to coincide with the injured having dogs with them, and keeping them on the lead.

A little over 1/3rd according to the op but I've no idea beyond the numbers in their post (I'm guessing the numbers are higher this year due to lots of extra folk being out in the country?) . Keeping dogs on the lead isn't the problem, (quite the reverse usually IME, plenty of dogs have a tendancy to chase things which leads to skittish, pissed off tonne lumps of stupid which then develop a general dislike of dogs and or owners chasing their dogs into a herd), not letting go of the lead when things start to look other than fine is the problem.

I do wonder how many of the incidents with cattle stem from the “this is where the footpath goes and I’m sticking to it” brigade being too stubborn or unimaginative to walk along the other side of a wall instead of through a field full of cows.

Not always, or even often, and option round here where the traditional fix for a broken wall is another roll of barbed wire. Once you’re off the path its often hard to get back on it, or even in the direction you intend, if you aren’t able to climb the fences or the gates are in the wrong places.

I’ve been told by enough different farmers for it to ring true, that at least in our area, part of the problem is that modern farming methods/ the economics of farming means there is far less human interaction with the cows so they a twitchier around people than they might have been in the past. Equally there are more people around who seem clueless around grazing animals.

What is good and bad? Sudden moves? Bright colours? When are a herd likely to be antsy? Do they get hangry? At the very least some do’s and don’ts on a sign by the field would be a good start.

if in any doubt, go around, find another way past them, they can move surprisingly quickly and literally weigh a ton.

bad;

dogs
kids
bikes
sudden moves
surprising them
calves

the economics of farming means there is far less human interaction with the cows so they a twitchier around people than they might have been in the past.

Very believable.

There is a herd near me that is routinely on a field containing the access road to a block of flats. Lots of comings and goings. They rarely bat an eyelid even at dog walkers.

Other herds nearby have no interaction and personally I won't go near.

I grew up on a dairy farm and thought of cattle as generally pleasant docile beasts. No qualms about walking up to cows and petting them etc.
Last week we were up in Northumberland and did a walk one day along Hadrian’s wall and the pennine way. Three humans and two dogs. There was a herd of cows with calves in a field just off the wall but on the pennine way. First time in my life I have been genuinely anxious about what the cattle would do. In the end I herded the cows and calves away from the gate we needed to get through whilst the others took the dogs as far away as possible.
The next day I read an article about someone who’d been killed on a stretch of the pennine way recently. 9 miles from where we were walking. I did feel that this particular collection of animals shouldn’t have been in a spot so frequently traversed by walkers with and without dogs.

Some fatality figures over about an 8 year period to 2015. 74 deaths - 56 farm workers, 18 public - all but one involving dogs.

Within last 10 days two hospitalised and one fatality in our Richmondshire area.

We keep well away. ROW or not.

🙁

iven the numerous grants farmers get for various things is it too complicated to mandate that any farmer wishing to run a herd of cattle in a field with a footpath should fence the path off. Sensible minor rerouting by agreement.

I know a friend of mine with a smallholding near Strathyre got a grant - material costs plus labour -to fence off part of his land. In his case I believe it was a cycle route.

There is an example near me where a footpath existing for maybe a century or morecrossing a field was fenced off. The existing path ran alongside a stone wall. So a fence was built 8 feet away from the wall.

https://goo.gl/maps/6pfo7xxuV5JJk2Mj8

I grew up around cows (didn't live on a farm but my grand parents did). The only time I saw them act aggressively was when a dog was loose in a field.

If I have to cross a field with cows I will stick to the edge and cycle very slowly or get off and walk.

We used to play at 'herding' cows when we were about 10 or so. We'd run at a herd and get them to gallop to the other side of the field - the fun started when they got to the dry stone wall, turned around, and started running back at us...

(I know, I know...)

Had it happen a few times where I've walked through a field with cows where they are some distance from footpath so thought it was a safe distance to get across the field, then the cows have started to run at me.

Most of the time they aren't bothered, but one starts to move the rest follow, then before you know it they start to run.

Being chased by a herd of cows is not fun and probably one of the scariest things that has happened to me. Now I worry too much, so I will often go miles out of the way to avoid them. Mates take the piss out of me for it. But they have never had it happen to them.

Newcastle parkrun length can vary depending on the position of the herd 😁

I went for a walk with my family recently and needed to go through a field of cows (in order to avoid a very long detour). Everyone was nervous (wife and both 11 yr olds) as we had our dog (small cocker) with us. My solution was to pick up the dog and walk with her until we had passed the herd - my justification was that the cows would not see her as a dog if she was in my arms. I was ready to run if needed but thankfully all was okay.

I have no idea if what I did was a good idea or not?

not letting go of the lead when things start to look other than fine is the problem.

Which was my point, as you well know.

I've generally grown up around farms and cows and am very wary of cattle with calves but much less so with young cows / bullocks. Reading this thread makes me think I've been too blase over the years. In my experience, they are generally curious / stupid and the problem is they rush up to you to see what you are. If you go back at them, make a bit of noise and wave your arms they tend to scarper but run and they'll follow. Big issue is if you stop and the front cows do but the ones at the back have no idea what's going on and just keep running, pushing the front lot forward.

Or the opposite, I better go that way, that’s the ROW, If I cut into another field, the farmer could be a right arsehole about it.

I suspect the farmer would be considerably more arsey if you got killed to death by a cow and there was all the mess to clean up, the possibility of lawsuits or investigations or the cow being shot...

I was out the other night to watch the ISS go over - the field of choice near mine for this had cows in it a fair way off so I sat down on the little bench by the footpath, turned the torch off and looked at the stars waiting for the ISS. Next thing, the cows had come a LOT closer and were all standing there staring at me, Their eye were yellowy-green in the torchlight. I got freaked out and left the field quietly and carefully!

I worked on a dairy farm in my late teens which then became a beef farm (pedigree Aberdeen Angus) after the dairy herd were slaughtered due to foot and mouth.
The farm manager was very relaxed about the risk from the cows, but one of the other workers refused to go into a field of the Aberdeen Angus cattle without a length of poly pipe that he could wield if the cows became agressive.
There was virtually no footpath traffic through this particular farm (rural Lancashire/Yorkshire border), but I always thought that a walker with no stick and little experience of cattle would be very vulnerable.
Around that time there was a story about a farmer in his late 60's who was killed by a bull that had injured him on two previous occasions. He was evidently not up for learning the lesson that the bull was trying to teach him. Even very experienced farm workers do get caught out from time to time.

Fronting up not a great idea...

Cows are the silent jury in the trial of mankind.

Cows are a ‘flight’ animal so unless they’re cornered or threatened they tend to just run away.

But also try not to look too much like 'fun' - I found this useful and have definitely seen this sort of thing out running...

had a few days on dartmoor last week and rode through a couple of fields with cows and calves. and a bull. devon reds. and we had a dog with us. the bull gave me pause for thought. look it looked at me for a moment and just ambled off. the mother cows did look a bit concerned but i choose a route out of the way. my wife and i both grew up near/on a farm and have never worried at all about going through a field with cattle, apart from once in the peak where there was the biggest bull i had ever seen - again it just glanced at me for a second and then went off to his cows. i think i shall reconsider my strategy somewhat.

Spent my entire life pissing about around cows. As a youngster being stupid in farmers fields not giving it a thought. As I started getting into MTB I rode past hundreds of cows. Through fields and tbh I just worked on the theory that if I made enough noise, they buggered off out of the way. Once or twice I found they would stand their ground if they were in the middle of a fire road but I would tend to just ride around them. 40yrs old and tbh I didn't give them a seconds thought as dangerous.

45yrs old now and having read a few stories I started to become aware of the dangers and last year I found myself in a position that could have gone seriously wrong. There is a place locally which is near the city. Visited by hundreds of people as a place of beauty (Close to a river), has 2 x kids football pitches there, picknic benches etc etc. Its also used to graze cows and when I got into a situation I would say there was about 30-40 of the bloody things. I was watching my son ref one of the football matches and I was outside the pitch which was edged by metal fencing. I had my two dogs with me which was why I wasn't inside the barrier (No dogs allowed). Anyhow a couple of cows came up and were inquisitive. I acted confident and they moved away. A couple became 5 and then I turned around and my dogs were cowering down and I realised I was now pretty much surrounded by a herd. They weren't being aggressive but I shit myself. Picked the 2 x dogs (Schanuzers) up and slung them in the air over the fence about 6ft away. I then jumped the fence. Looking back, the cows were probably inquisitive rather than aggressive but I would have been helpless if it had gone the other way.

Give them respect and I think you should be ok. If you have dogs, don't chance it.

Which was my point, as you well know.

Not meant to be disingenuous, genuinely had read it otherwise

Aye, pretty much my sentiments Hobo, I avoid if at all possible these days.

Not meant to be disingenuous, genuinely had read it otherwise

No worries 🙂

But also try not to look too much like ‘fun’ – I found this useful and have definitely seen this sort of thing out running…

/blockquote>

That's good advice for dealing with bullocks. If a herd of cows with calf is coming at you, run like ****!

 

48 serious injuries this year, only 18 involved dogs.

Is that members of public or does it include farmers etc?

There are always cows up on my local off-road running/cycling route. Frequently with calves and/or a bull. Never had any hint of trouble except when a herd of heifers got frisky and started chasing me.

I am always reasonably careful but I don't consider the risk great enough to be seriously worried. Sure, if they turn on me, I could be in trouble. Just as if I'm on the road and someone drives into me, except that's orders of magnitude more common.

Live close to and cross several fields of them pretty much daily. Hug the fence and try to avoid if there are very young calves in the field with them, folk are too complacent around them IMO. Oh and another vote for pushing the bike, you probably look like a more familiar shape.

Some fatality figures over about an 8 year period to 2015. 74 deaths – 56 farm workers, 18 public – all but one involving dogs.

Not a huge amount to be worried about if you aren't a farm worker and don't have a dog then.

I tend to follow simple rules of not walking through a herd, give them a wide berth and definitely don't run or cycle through a field of cows as they are far more likely to chase after you.

Worked on a dairy farm for as a teenager.  As above they move faster than you'd think and are heavy.  The farmer wouldn't go into the herd without a big stick or similar.

I'd say I'm wary in general.  I certainly wouldn't make a beeline right through the herd and would skirt the field.  I'm not going into other fields etc as invariably it'd be a right pain to get back onto the actual right of way.

Personally I think most animals give off enough warning signs that if you're attuned to them you'll be able to work it out.  However I acknowledge I grew up in a rural area and being attuned requires spending time with animals which can't happen for everyone.  I have had young bullocks come up out of curiosity where turning and running would have just had them run you down but with no actual malice intended.  I can't recall having a cow or bull lower their head on me ever.

Like some suspect I’ve been a bit blasé over the years. The belted Galloways on NT land in the Surrey Hills are docile and well used to human traffic but definitely curious

We need to build up herd immunity people.

The countryside contains all sorts of groups, mostly on the land of farmers who are trying to make a living.

If you want land dedicated to mountain biking or walking, there are trail centres. Otherwise everyone has to be sensible and get by. We're talking about cows, not tigers or land-sharks!

A lot of these incidences seem to coincide with the injured having dogs with them, and keeping them on the lead.

There have been a number of fatalities locally involving cattle, in every case there has been a dog on a lead and calves with the herd. In every case the advice was that the dog should have been let go, as it was the subject of their animosity.
I’ve gone across fields with cattle many times, both on foot and with a bike, mostly pushing the bike ‘cos it was a footpath, it’s not that often that fields for grazing cattle have bridlepaths going through them; those that do, the cattle don’t seem bothered, probably because they’re habituated to the sight and sound of a bike.
Many times I’ve had a bunch of heifers come galloping towards me only to come to a (metaphorical) screeching halt and stand staring at me, backing off as soon as I take a couple of steps towards them. I can only remember a couple of occasions where a cow has allowed me to get close enough to stroke its head, and have it lick my hand - they’re pretty nervy animals while being very curious about something new.

I seem to recall having a discussion on here with someone about walking through fields with cattle and dogs, my position is that I would not do it with a dog on a lead, end of. I grew up working on farms with cattle, most of them dont like dogs. Obviously if my dog was likely to attack them I wouldnt let her off the lead and I'd find another route, but as it is she is very wary if them to the point she will skirt round the outside of a field as far away from them as possible. The blanket advise to keep dogs on leads around livestock is just wrong imo.

I personally have never had an issue with cattle, although one of the bulls we had at the farm could be an arsehole

I grew up on a Lakeland farm so have been used to cattle all my life. They are curious animals but also like any mother they want to protect their young.

I have been "downed" by a cow - I was out running and was the other side of the cow to her calf. Fortunately for me it seemed that she just "wanted to teach me a lesson" so as soon as I was on the deck she backed off. No idea why she attacked as I wasn't threatening her or her calf. I spoke to the farmer about it and he knew which cow it was but in his case he said he'd no fields without a footpath through them so hard to keep the cattle and people separate.

There's a wide variety in cattle (and herd) behaviour - the fields in front of our house get a herd of heifers each year to graze, last year they were extremely flighty due to fireworks landing on the building they were in during the winter. This year's group are the complete opposite and hardly break into a trot and don't even bother when people walk on the path through the fields.

Bulls: dairy breeds must not be loose in publicly accessible areas. Beef breeds may be outside but must be accompanied by cows (there is a minimum number).

Generally I'll "talk" to the cattle as I approach to try and reassure them that I'm not a threat. If one does move towards me I'll stop and stare at it, it's neither running away nor being threatening.

Big problem where I live, they do appear to be genuinely aggressive.

Around here farmers have tried to block many footpaths and put up electric fences where it suits them etc.

A number of times though I’ve started running on paths through fields, got to one with cows in and then had to divert around a couple of miles or so because it’s not possible to dodge in to the next field as there are high hedges riddled with barbed wire.

Not heard of deaths in my local area but plenty of near misses

It’s a real threat but the numbers are relatively low, still awful though.

Grew up helping on relatives farms I’d not call them aggressive animals but they’re animals and are big, they will protect their young. I will try to avoid a field with sucklings in if they’re on the right of way or I’ll walk around them even into another field. Never had a farmer complain about doing that. I also pick my dog up as they are always  more threatened if they see a dog.

Much more public awareness is needed and yes of it all possible maybe put them in another field.

I also pick my dog up as they are always more threatened if they see a dog.

Just be prepared to drop it if they go for the dog.

Oh and if out running, walk through fields with cattle, pain in the arse but safest.

I am always more worried by horses than cows tbh.

Was out on a solo ride over the moors last night, never usually bothered in the dark alone, but I was riding through a wee dark gulley and a buzzard or similar which must have been a few feet away let out its shriek, I properly shat it!

Pedalled away a bit harder than usual, came round the corner out of the gulley and there's a herd of cows and calves in the track, going off their nut! Just waited it out until they calmed down and moved on a bit.

As per the video up there, it's quite hard to look dull and uninteresting to cows when you have a pair of lights on! and I wasn't for turning them off either 🙂