Another walker killed by cows…..is there a solution?

Maybe they are hoping for divine protection.

I always carry a stick when walking. Cows will leave you alone if you use it on the boney part of the top of the head (last resort of course)

I don’t know about the efficacy of hitting cows on the head with sticks, but someone who worked with horses once told me that if you wanted to deter a horse from paying you too much attention shake a plastic bag at it! This was after I was bitten on the shoulder by a horse who obviously mistook me for a sugar lump. Instead of carrying a plastic bag I’ll walk a mile to avoid being anywhere near a horse!

The idea that one farmer’s land is cross-crossed with multiple Public Rights of Way is not correct. There may be many ‘footpaths’ but these carry no right of use. They are simply paths or ‘desire lines’. Public Rights of Way are much fewer.

And your authority for that is … ?

Greyduster

I don’t know about the efficacy of hitting cows on the head with sticks, but someone who worked with horses once told me that if you wanted to deter a horse from paying you too much attention shake a plastic bag at it! This was after I was bitten on the shoulder by a horse who obviously mistook me for a sugar lump. Instead of carrying a plastic bag I’ll walk a mile to avoid being anywhere near a horse!

They hate plastic bags. And if they see a bin bag lying by he side of the road it’s a monster waiting to pounce on them.

A bit of light reading:

www.landregistry-titledeeds.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions/information/public-rights-of-way.asp

I always carry a stick when walking. Cows will leave you alone if you use it on the boney part of the top of the head
😲 if I were the farmer I would not be best pleased.
Have you heard of the RSPCA?

I think it’s all very well arguing the legalities on here but in reality people taking walks on a nice day aren’t aware of this. They see a sign saying Public Footpath and assume it’s safe. People are dying and being badly injured. If you have a sign on your gate saying Beware of the Dog you will still be in trouble if that dog bites the postman.

Germanshepherdsmum

And your authority for that is … ?

If that question is directed at me….then can I suggest you look at your local Definitive Map. This will show you all the legal Public Rights of Way. Then you can judge for yourself.

I was a solicitor with a highway authority so know all about Definitive Maps, thank you. There may be more than one public right of way over a field.

Thank you too for putting me right about your qualifications.

Quite right there may be but not often. The idea that farmland is crisscrossed with numerous PRoW is not accurate.

Wish I had £1 for every time I’ve clashed with County Councils (who normally have responsibility for highways as of course you will know) and pulled them up over their statutory duties re Rights of Way.

I can only say that I have seen instances of fields over which there are several public rights of way.

Germanshepherdsmum

I can only say that I have seen instances of fields over which there are several public rights of way.

Yes there are, however these tend to be arable and farmers will remove ancient hedging to make huge areas that are more economical for large farm machinery. Not always the case, of course, but fields for stock tend to be smaller using the existing hedging or stone walls (depending on the area). One of my local farmers has three fields, all about 6/7 acres. Two of them have a footpath running parallel to each other but because he can open interconnecting gates, you never quite know where his cattle are. However, he uses these fields mainly for store cattle and if he has young bullocks, he puts them in the field without a footpath, not because they are aggressive but because they can be very curious and over friendly. I avoid the cattle (although store cattle are generally fine) if I know they are there but it's not always possible to see them, then dog goes on a short lead at my side away from the cattle and we keep our distance. However, I'm always ready to drop the lead if I need to, cows with calves though are a different matter altogether!