A Close Encounter of the Bovine Kind! ~ Dogs & Cows ~ Natural England & Stewardship

Recently while out walking our dogs we met some cows with calves.

We were on a public footpath and just about to go through a gate when we saw them. They also saw us and came running over.

To begin with they were very curious - just sniffing the air and peering at the dogs. We stood very quietly on our side of the fence, but the cows soon became very agitated. It was very clear that it would have been dangerous to enter with the dogs.

Our problem was that it was the only way back. (The alternative was to turn back and walk another couple of miles, but our old girl had had enough). We could only get into the adjacent field by climbing over a fence - no problem for us but our greyhounds couldn't get over.

Our old girl weighs 28Kg. I lifted her up and passed her over the fence to my brother. But Boris not only weighs 36Kg, he also hates to be lifted. I gave it a try, but he went a bit crazy!

I walked some distance along the fence and found a gate - padlocked of course! But there was a big enough gap next to the gatepost for Boris to squeeze under - wriggling along on your belly doesn't come easily to greyhounds!

The field we were now in had a gate which we could open onto the road, so we were able to finish our walk in safety.



Back in June I made a post about dogs and cows - please take a look at the archive.

Natural England & Stewardship & Grazing Livestock
There was an item on the radio this morning about this. It came from Cornwall.
Cattle (usually longhorns, I understand) are roaming freely on the coastal footpath. This is because grazing encourages bio-diversity. (This is true and is a very good idea). It is part of the stewardship scheme which attracts EU subsidies.
Two problems mentioned were : 1) the number of gates and fences being erected across what was an open landscape and 2) the potential dangers for dog walkers. (Dogs and people are also part of bio-diversity!)
The point was made that dogs should be kept on leads. But that doesn't stop the cattle from approaching you and causing a problem!

The usual advice is stay calm and quiet. Don't run. Standing still can be useful - the cows will sniff you and eventually go away. Try to make a quiet exit or get to the edge of a field.
It is suggested that you let your dogs off lead - they can take care of themselves. But what if you have an old slow dog?

Things get serious if the cows feel that you or your dogs are a threat.

I've heard it suggested that you throw your arms up and shoo the cows away. Not sure I want to do that in a dodgy situation!

I like to think ahead - look for signs of cows - are there cow pats, is the ground churned up, are there troughs of water. Avoidance is the best policy I think.

Dogs and Cows ~ Is it Safe to Walk Through Fields of Cows With Your Dog?

Is it safe to walk your dog through fields of cows?

Recently there have been some dreadful reports in the news about dog walkers being attacked by cows.
One incident was of a vet walking her dog, and was trampled to death by a herd of cows.

The key thing to look for is : Are there CALVES in the field? If so, do NOT walk your dog through the field.
Personally, I avoid any fields that have cows. I NEVER go in with my dogs if there are calves present.
It is possible that the cows are out of sight, so I always look for signs like cowpats and hoof prints, or ask anybody that I see.
A cow can weigh upto 1 ton - that's a big animal, and so can inflict a lot of damage.


Farming Today, early morning on Radio 4, have recently discussed the problem, and have given some excellent advice.

KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEAD AT ALL TIMES - do not let dogs run loose where there are cows present.

If you are approached by cows:

• STAY CALM
• DO NOT SHOUT OR SCREAM - this will make things a lot worse
• DO NOT RUN - THIS COULD TRIGGER AN ATTACK
• WALK AWAY CALMLY & QUIETLY TO AN EXIT OR TO THE EDGE OF THE FIELD

Cows initally are inquisitive , so stay calm if they approach you and quietly and calmly make your escape.
Once they have smelt you and your dog they will realise that you are strangers and so a potential threat to their calves. Stay quiet and calm.

What if you are surrounded by cows or hemmed in at a field boundary?
STAND STILL and let them sniff you. They will go away, but it can take time (up to 30 minutes!)

The key things are : Don't run, don't scream or shout. Keep calm. Keep your dog on a lead.

If there is bull in the field there is a legal requirement for a notice "BULL IN FIELD". Never go in!

Rams can also be a problem - avoid.