Another cow attack

[Ethel]

Following the recent debate about the dog-walking woman who is suing a farmer after she was attacked by a cow (she got some criticism on this site, and accused of harassing the herd) there has been another cow attack:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-103433 1/Farmer-impaled-mouth-cows-12-inch-horn.html

This time the farmer is the victim - she had reared the cow from its birth. Now I know there are a handful of cow charges and tramplings a year, some fatal, but it does seem to be getting more frequent.

Is the domestic cow becoming more aggressive? Should members of the public still be complacent about using a public footpath through a field full of cows?

[Ice.Maiden]

I saw the other thread Ethel, but got side tracked, so didn't reply. I certainly think they're getting more aggressive. A few weeks back, I was walking across a neighbouring field, when a white cow started galloping towards me. The rest of the herd followed suit, and it was only when I ran back across a cattle grid, that they stopped! All of them crowded round, and I daren't go past them. I was on my own, and after standing there for a few minutes, a lady walked up to me, also refusing to cross the grid. She said that a few days before, this same white cow'd chased her. There were no calves in the herd - all were milking cows - so I'm not sure what to think.

[terambulan]

I think there is a misunderstanding of cattle. All cattle were dehorned up to about 10y ago. This accident would not have happened had the cow been dehorned. When a domestic cow has struck with its horn it gets into a state of terror and panic to shake off whats on its horn.

When cattle see someone in the field they expect food. Remember the farmers have been taking feed into the fields all winter for the cattle.

Safest to keep to the edge of the field, keep dogs under control (preferably dogs should not be in a field with cows) dont carry bags (cows think u have food). Grap a long branch to waive the cattle away....even throw a stone at them to chase 'em off.

U can test their curiosity by standing against the fence outside the field, the cattle will come right up to you and lick you searching for food but they mean no harm. Cows are unaware of their size and strength so u must be cautious.

[Goodsoulette]

I see ramblers, hikers and old biddies stupidly exercising their right to roam on my mum's land and they show little respect or caution to animals. Instead of deciding which way to go before they enter the area with animals they are unfamiliar with, they enter, dither, roam around, get their maps out and stand their.

One hiker hit one of the puppys repeatedly with her stick. The dog wasn't doing anything this woman just felt attack was the best form of defense. Now as an adult dog she goes mental whenever she sees people in that hiking gear they wear, of course this was only found out after she bit another woman.

If you enter a field with animals, you need to accept the risks. How a farmer can be sued is beyond me. You cant put a bull in a field with a public footpath running through it, I think thats fair enough but anything else is ludicrous.

As for the original question, having been around many cows for many years, I have not notcied an increase in aggressiveness in cattle.

[~max~]

Maybe it's a virus....
Sorry, that made me think of a movie I saw, with deadly flesh-eating cows....lol

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0446719/

[Ethel]

Terambulan, I understand what you are saying re the horn, but the fact remains that this cow charged the farmer - she would have been hurt but maybe not to such a great extent.

The reported deaths have all been caused by trampling.

Ice - I never gave walking amongst cows a moment s worry and have never had an unsettling experience. Now I'm not so sprightly, and in view of these recent reports, maybe I'll find another way to enjoy the countryside.

Goodsoulette, maybe the day will come when farmers have to put some sort of fencing along public footpaths. A sad state of affairs.

[tigerlily11]

I try not to cross farm land with animals on it and keep my dog on a lead when farm animals are roaming. It's only right.
It's not good for dog or farm animal.
I get pi**ed off when ramblers think they can wonder where they like with no thought for farm animals.
I love to walking and as much as I don't like farmers I respect the lives of their animals.
GOOD if I had seen anyone beating a puppy like that she would have been on the recieving end of me and my walking stick.

[abstract]

we need more cowbell



More Cowbell 2.0!
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[abstract]

damn! that was meant to be a link! godknows what happened there!

[littleoldme]

If I was a farmer with self-righteous ramblers yomping across my land just to cause arguments about rights of way, I'd train my cows to launch ninja death stars at them. Might take a while, but I'd get there eventually.

[Kromovaracun]

Perhaps it's their time of the month.

[Gromit]

I'm sure you have all seen this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr95EpqHEEk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?vSr95EpqHEEk

Cow

[lajohn]

the cows are just moving with the times and becoming aggressive like everyone. self defence, that's all to it.
maybe the Hindu Gods are taking revenge. lol

[rov1200]

I think its all the hormones they are pumping into cattle to get them fatter more quickly for market. We know what happens to humans when they go onto anabolic steroids. Maybe there should be a greater check on what we do to animals.

[BigDogsWang]

I think the Cows responsible should be taken to Hospitals and introduced to victims of other Cow attacks. Either that or bring back National Service.....