Bulls on public right of way - who can I speak to ?

littleblue735

Hi sorry if this is in the wrong place, its not pet related but animal related anyway.

Today I did my usual walk along a public footpath along the River Ouse near Earith, its a popular area for families. Well today the path was blocked by around 20 - 30 bulls. I couldn't turn back as it was a circular walk so decided to slowly walk round them.

Well they started making aggressive noises and started to walk towards me, until about ten were getting really close. I decided to walk towards a group of trees and try and hide. Then they all decided to chase me, by this point I was really scared and thought I would be trampled ! Luckily they are not the smartest of beasts and most ran past my hiding place.

At this point I decided to make a break and run towards the gate which was a good distance away, but several bulls saw me and chased me again. I made it to the gate but find it chained up, so had to climb over the barbed wire fence. Now luckily I am fit but I've never run so fast in my life, but I hate to think what would have happened if I'd have my young nephews with me, as we would never have out run the bulls.

So my question is - should bulls really be kept in areas where families visit ? Shouldn't the gates be open ? Again I'll say this was on a popular public footpath ( the Ouse Valley Way )and all the gates are normally open.There are always cows about but they always move off once they see you. I feel that I should try and speak to someone about it espiecially as its my normal Sunday route and I don't want to go through that again !!

Any ideas??

Mojisola

I'd be amazed if any farm had 20 - 30 bulls on it. They were probably bullocks and, although they can be scary, they were just being nosy.

Person_one

Mojisola wrote: »

I'd be amazed if any farm had 20 - 30 bulls on it. They were probably bullocks and, although they can be scary, they were just being nosy.

I wouldn't be so blase, plenty of people have been killed being trampled by cows.

OP, in future, don't get so close, turn around and go back the way you came! I'd ring the council in the first place as its a public right of way.

meritaten

they were either cows or bullocks! bulls are never kept as a herd. saying that though they are large animals and can be intimidating if you arent used to them. mostly though thier curiosity rivals those of cats! they prob just wanted a closer look at you. er - I wouldnt have run away from them as they can if they wish run faster than you! but, as its not a good idea to have livestock near a public footpath I would ring the councils footpath inspector (yes there is such a job) and tell him/her!

Leebobs

It is an offence to allow a bull over 10 months old and on its own to be at large in a field crossed by a public right of way. It is also an offence to keep a bull of a recognised dairy breed (even if accompanied by cows/heifers) on land crossed by a public right of way.

Bulls which are less than 10 months old, or of a recognised beef breed and at large with cows/heifers are exceptions to this rule.

If any animal, which is known to be dangerous by the keeper of the animal, causes injury to a member of the public using a public right of way, an offence may be committed and the occupier could be sued by the injured party.

What is the law regarding bulls and dangerous animals on public rights of way?

Leebobs

Mojisola

Person_one wrote: »

I wouldn't be so blase, plenty of people have been killed being trampled by cows.

I think "plenty" is exaggerating the problem. A herd of any large animals can be frightening and can be dangerous, even those who are only curious or expecting you to bring food to them. Some cattle breeds are worse than others.

littleblue could have a word with the farmer but there are no laws being broken by having the animals in a field with a footpath.

littleblue735

Thanks, I didn't know how to find the farmer but I will ring the council, maybe they can find out.

BTW I didn't run at first, I hid in the tree's. But I decided that I needed to run to the fence once they starting chasing me. But even if they weren't bulls they were still very large animals chasing me !! Would they have stopped once they got close..? I don't think so.

thanks for all advice so far.

PS it wasn't a farmers field but on land at the side of the river Ouse.

Person_one

Mojisola wrote: »

I think "plenty" is exaggerating the problem. A herd of any large animals can be frightening and can be dangerous, even those who are only curious or expecting you to bring food to them. Some cattle breeds are worse than others.

littleblue could have a word with the farmer but there are no laws being broken by having the animals in a field with a footpath.

There have been a few deaths in the area where I grew up over the last couple of years, one woman was trying to save her dog .

Its not a risk worth taking, they are big, heavy, strong, fast animals. I was always taught to stay out of fields with cows in, so its only fair that the cows stay off the human's footpaths!

tentickles666

there is a bull permanently in a field which is a public right of way near me, im pretty sure it is not against the law, which some farmers exploit disliking the PROW on their land, not many people go in this field I can tell you!

Bulls are not dangerous animals, in the way that a gun sitting on a table is not dangerous. But they will protect their calves so obviously they are incredibly dangerous to someone in their path!

suki1964

Even if it is a public right of way you should not enter a field with livestock (esp cows) unless you know you can make a quick get away.

I wouldn't even walk my dog in a field running alongside a field of cows this time of year, they are not safe and scare the c**p out me hearing them charge to the hedgerow to nosy the dog

Frugalista

Person_one wrote: »

I was always taught to stay out of fields with cows in, so its only fair that the cows stay off the human's footpaths!

Fair??? Do you honestly believe that cattle understand the concept of "fair"? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: