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 🙂
