Dog and cows

diedrefw30

I always believe knowledge is a powerful tool. Have you thought about approaching the farmer whose cows they are?
Having an honest conversation with them about your fear and any advice or help he can give you with your dog and the sociability around cows.
I had a smiler problem with sheep and I approached the farmer and said I wanted help to sort the problem out. He was fantastic and allowed me to walk around his farm and de sensitise my dog from the sheep. He also allowed me to train my dog in the field with the sheep so sheep became nothing that exciting for my dog. That combined with some general obedience training so you know your dog has the knowledge of what an emergency sit is or whatever your training school would use should really help. I hope )

heretolearn_2

glad you are all okay and it must have been very unsettling!

Cattle are generally fairly safe, and they do tend to be very nosy which can be intimidating if you aren't confident around them and calmly move them on, but they CAN be dangerous in some circumstances. Especially around dogs as they can view them as a threat - the farmers' well trained working dogs are one thing but something randomly annoying them is likely to get stomped. If you are around cows and they take after your dog I know it sounds awful but abandon your dog and get out of there ASAP for your own safety - the dog will likely run for it ok if things get too serious.

Next time - keep on lead, but as you say, lesson learned anyway. But just remember that the footpath is that - it's a route for crossing a field and you have no right to let you dog run around the whole field - it too should be on the path. People think it doesn't matter, but no-one likes stepping in dog poop even if it is in a field, or having to handle their stocks legs and hooves if they have trodden in dog poop, and dog walkers have ruined hay crop by being inconsiderate. And there's the risk to livestock - there was long grass - how could you tell there were no sheep/chickens/whatever in there if it was long enough to hide cows! It's not a public park, it's someone else's land.

littlerat

I just have to say - the advice to run away from your dog is great, for the dog. May not work out so great for you, as the cows will likely chase you then.


Cows are nosy creatures - its why they "pin" people in corners - so they can nose at them. I've had it once or twice, but being born and growing up in Cornwall and growing up around farms, I'll just go and give them a pat and carry on - walking. Cows will try and keep up if you run, and that's where trampling accidents can happen. Yes, a few people have been tramped to death but I think it's about... 20 in the last 10 years, give or take.


What people should be more wary of, is sheep with lambs. Far scarier than a cow. I've seen what happens when you get between a sheep and her lamb!!!

gettingready

Friend's dog was kicked in the head by a horse not that long ago... I guess cows could kick as well?

I used to take Zara with me when my daughter was horse riding so she is ok with horses/cows anything this size and does not run up to them...

Katy - hope your dog is ok and yu do not come across those cows again...

Wellyboots6

I saw a bloke I regularly see with his dog out walking last night. His dog had a huge lump on its side. Apparently the dog had been kicked by the same lot of cows. The bloke was also pinned against a wall by two cows and had to whack them had with the dog lead to get them off him. His dog was on the lead.

Can cows get ASBOs?!

krlyr

If they are that bad I imagine you could report it to your local council - or perhaps Defra would help as I know they deal with the movement of livestock.
http://www.ramblers.org.uk/rights_of_way/knowledge_portal/advice_notes/animals

If you are attacked or suffer a frightening incident, report this to the landowner and the highway authority, and also the HSE and police if it is of a serious nature

HSE's information sheet (aimed at the owners of the cattle) - http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais17ew.pdf

orlao

katy721 wrote: »

I saw a bloke I regularly see with his dog out walking last night. His dog had a huge lump on its side. Apparently the dog had been kicked by the same lot of cows. The bloke was also pinned against a wall by two cows and had to whack them had with the dog lead to get them off him. His dog was on the lead.

Can cows get ASBOs?!

No, not quite :rotfl: but you can go to your local council, they should have an officer who ensures that public rights of way are usable and report the cows. They will then contact the landowner.

But before you do that please remember that fields (even with PROW across them) are someone's livelihood - the farmer doesn't have the cattle there to look pretty - they are being reared more than likely to provide our Sunday roast and need to be at grass at this time of year.

It sounds like the other dog walker also had his dog loose (since the lead was in his hand to beat the cattle off) and as such was breaching the Countryside Code so put himself and his dog at risk through his own actions...not really fair to cause a farmer extra costs/lose the use of his own land IMHO.

If I were you I would avoid those fields during the grazing season (may - sept/oct depending on weather) and save them for winter walks. If you are walking a field with livestock, stay close to the fence line, keep the dog at heel/on a lead and move through the field quietly at a steady pace. PROW give you access from A to B over a piece of privately owned land by law not the freedom to wander at will - as someone said it isn't a public open space! However, if you are caught 'off' the footpath by a landowner because you are ie following a fence line because stock are in a field - just explain why and 99% will be understanding. Remember though, that landowners get very annoyed by people who make their life and business difficult just because they feel entitled to go where and when they want, causing damage to stock, crops, fencing and gates - and do you know what? I really don't blame them.