I’ll level with you, I am terrified of cows. Whenever I am outed as someone who has a fear of cows, the first thing I get asked is ‘are cows dangerous then?’ And whilst the question is meant to make me feel like I am being taken seriously, people rarely succeed in hiding the smirk behind their words.
Whilst it is easy to scoff at nervous hikers like me who start quietly fretting the minute they see one of these bovine creatures, cows can actually be very dangerous to humans and attacks happen more than you probably realise.
As someone who spends a lot of time hiking, I have had more than my fair share of standoffs with cows. Having to pass through a field of cows can be very nerve-racking and when all goes wrong, downright terrifying. Whilst I would very happily never enter a cattle populated field again, this is just not practical, especially if you are somebody who enjoys the great outdoors.
During my hikes across the UK, I’ve been nudged, stalked, stared out and stampeded by cows. These experiences were not fun but they’ve taught me a thing or two about staying safe around cattle. This guide will tell you everything you need to know, from how to cross a cow field to what to do in the event of a stampede.
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Are Cows Dangerous?
As I’ve already mentioned, there is no doubt that cows are dangerous. The average cow weighs in at 1,390 lbs so it is no surprise that when they are spooked, they can do real damage to walkers. Whilst cow encounters are not commonplace, they happen regularly and if you are someone who hikes in rural areas frequently, you will likely have a troubling cow experience at some point during your life.
If I had a pound for every time that people have laughed at me for my fear of cows, I’d be a very rich lady. However, did you know that in the United States on average, sharks kill one person a year, whereas cows kill 20? It doesn’t seem quite so ridiculous now does it?!
Whilst it is largely accepted by the general public that bulls are dangerous, they may pose less of a threat than their female counterparts. This is because of the inherent maternal aggression that heifers exhibit when accompanied by their calves. According to Explore the Countryside, more people have been killed by cows than bulls in the UK over recent years.
Recent Cow Attacks
Just a few months prior to the time of writing, an 82-year-old man sadly died and his wife was seriously injured after being attacked by cows whilst walking in the Yorkshire Dales. This article states that it is unknown whether they had a dog with them.
Around the same time, a woman from Market Harborough also reported being attacked by cattle as she walked her dogs. Even after letting go of her dogs, the herd actively pursued her. She managed to grab a stick and scare them off, allowing her enough time to escape from the field.
In July of 2020, during my Weaver’s Way hike, I also had a run-in with cattle. Tim and I entered a cow field and began making our way down the footpath. Suddenly the seemingly docile animals turned and we were stampeded by the herd (including a bull). We hadn’t antagonised the animals in any way and did not have a dog with us. However, there were calves in the field. We got out with seconds to spare but had we have been any slower, we would have been trampled.
What Makes Cows Attack?
If you consult the literature online, the main factor which seems to encourage cow attack is the presence of a dog in the field. The Ramblers Association say that cows see dogs as much more of a threat than humans. If your dog is caught worrying livestock, the farmer is legally able to destroy it so you should always keep your pet on a lead in cattle fields.
Another common risk factor is passing through a field in which there are calves present. Heifers are naturally very protective of their young and this can drive them to attack if they feel you are a threat. In my latest run-in with cows, there were calves present in the field which is what probably drove the herd to start stampeding.
Sometimes there will be signs displayed which warn walkers about the type of livestock in the field. Whilst there was a bull warning sign at the entrance to the field where I was charged, there was no indication that were calves present. However, I have seen signage warning of ‘cows with calves’ numerous times during my UK hikes.
One final thing that could provoke cow attacks is how the public reacts to the interest of the animals. Naturally, cows are very curious creatures and may approach walkers. This should not be seen as aggression (although it can be very frightening, especially when there are lots of cows) and you should not run as this will encourage them to chase you. It is worth noting here that when you are terrified, this is easier said than done!
How Fast Can a Cow Run?
Cattle can run at speeds of up to 40 km per hour, which is around 25 miles per hour. This is only a touch slower than the fastest man in the world! This means that unless you are very close to the field exit, your chances of outrunning a cow are very slim. (Unless you are Usain Bolt of course, in which case, you stand a pretty good chance.) It may also surprise you to discover that cattle can actually run faster than horses when traversing boggy landscapes.
Staying Safe Around Cows: 10 Tips
1. Never enter a field which has both cows and calves
Taking place during the spring and summer months, trampling season often coincides with the time of the year that you are most likely to see cows with their calves in fields. You should never enter a field where there are cows with their calves and not knowing this simple fact puts many hikers at risk every year. Cattle are far more likely to be aggressive when they perceive a threat to their young.
2. Don’t surprise cattle
One of the things that can spook cattle into charging is being surprised. Without being threatening, make sure you have made enough noise upon your entry to the field that the animals know you are there.
3. Look for warning signs before entering the field
Although it might not feel like it at times, there is a difference between cows approaching you quickly out of curiosity and those charging. Cows who are charging will have their heads down whereas those who are curious will run with their heads up.
Before entering a field, look for visual cues that the cattle may be agitated. Signs include pawing the ground, wrinkling the nose or tossing the head. In these cases, definitely don’t enter the field!
4. Don’t walk through a group of cattle
If you enter a field and cows are obstructing your path, find an alternative route through the field, away from the cows. Rejoin the footpath as soon as it is safe.
5. Keep your dog on a lead
Cattle perceive dogs as a bigger threat than humans. Keep your dog away from cows and remember that farmers are legally able to destroy dogs which worry their animals. If prosecuted, you could also receive a hefty fine.
6. If cattle charge, let go of your dog
If cattle charge towards you or act in an otherwise threatening way, let your dog off the lead. The dog will be able to outrun the cows and this will demonstrate to the animals that you are not a threat. Only do this in threatening circumstances because there are penalties for allowing your dog to worry livestock.
7. Move calmly and don’t run
Perhaps the most important (and hardest) thing to do in the face of an agitated herd is to be calm. Do not allow yourself to panic and run. Not only will the cattle be able to outrun you but they will also try to match your pace if you speed up.
Whilst you can and should speed up at a measured pace if you are being charged (and the cattle are still some distance away), only ever run if you are confident you can reach the gate before the cattle reach you, usually around 20 metres away.
8. Carry hiking poles
Much of the advice says that those carrying a stick will be more protected in the event of a cattle attack. Hikers are at a bit of an advantage here seeing as many of us already hike with poles. These can be used to intimate the cows in the event of a stampede or charge.
9. Shout at the cows
Cows can be dangerous and you should try to protect yourself any way necessary. It appears that many walkers have had success with shouting at the cows when they get too close. This can scare them off. Whatever you do, don’t mention the Big Mac you had last week though.
10. Punch them on the nose
Okay, last chance saloon here. If you haven’t managed to get the cows to back off, you may be faced with no option but to get physical with them. Using your hiking poles or stick, firmly biff them on the nose. This should stop them in their tracks. Even if it doesn’t and the worst happens, at least this makes for a cool story, right?
What Should You Do If You’ve Been Attacked by Cows?
Once you have removed yourself from the dangerous situation, you may wonder what you should do next. Surprisingly, there is not much information online about where to report cow attacks. This seems to be because organisations and landowners do not want to perpetuate the belief that these attacks are common or that cows can be dangerous.
If the attack is serious and there has been an injury, you should contact the police and the Health and Safety Executive. All cases of a dangerous or frightening manner should also be reported to the landowner (assuming you know who that is).
To my knowledge, there is only one website which aims to collate data for all incidents with cows, including near misses like mine. Appropriately named Killer Cows, you can report your own cattle attack to them using this link.
Under the Animals Act (1971), those who keep non-dangerous animals (which bizarrely cattle as classed as) are liable for any injury caused by them. That means if you are injured by cattle, you can sue the landowner.
Have you had a scary experience with cows? Let me know in the comments below!
Hello, thank you for you usefull tips. I am currently walking the South Downs Way and I had to cross a lot of fields where cattle where present. In most of them the cows had they calves with them and even a couple of times there was huge frisky bull in the herd…
It really is more unnerving than people think! I’d love to walk the South Downs Way, hope you have a wonderful hike!:)
Intimidating experience today whilst walking with wife (no dog) entered a large field – about 50yds away were a group of cattle quietly grazing. Unexpectedly they came running towards us – we noticed that it was cows & heifers. – and circled around us then stopped with us in the middle of a circle. We continued walking and they broke their circle then ran after us and circled us again. A standoff ensured while we stared at each other. Finally I shouted at them and as we had no way to go but forward we walked towards the largest cow who seemed to be the leader of the herd – she startled a bit – we continued walking and they followed for a while then stopped. An interesting experience. The question is, were we at risk or not??
I would have been petfried if this happened to me! As the animals can be so unpredictable, it’s hard to know whether you were at risk or not. I know a lot people say that cows are curious but in my experience, the situation can change very quickly!
Had a similar experience, in Derbyshire, went from the Tissington trail to Parwich, sadly there were about six fields with cows in to get through, the first 5 were ok if not a little dicey at the end when they all showed interest in us. The sixth field was more open land with a bank on the right, we walked down about half way, when we looked to our left and saw about 20 cows running at us. I know I shouldn’t off but we ran as fast as we could, this woke up the other 30 Plus cows in the field, and we now had a stampede chasing us. At top speed they were gaining on us, but just made it in time to the edge of the field only to find there was no gate, literally had to run along the edge of this new field using the wall as a defence until we reached the side of the next field, whilst standing there catching our breath and feeling lucky to still be alive, they worked out the way into the field we were now in, and they were pouring in like a flood, with nowhere to go we both had to throw ourselves over a barbed wire fence into a hawthorn hedge with six foot tall nettles in , which was more inviting than staying at our current position. Fortunately the field behind this one was empty. We managed an escape by going through lots of fields to find a road, to try and get back on track.
Never been the same since then, in fact I’d like to say I am never going in a cow field again, but like you say not always possible as I love hiking. I do love your comments about the Shark vs cow statistic will be using that one, as everyone I’ve mentioned this traumatic experience to just seem to think I was being silly they just curious. It didn’t seem that way to me 🙂
I completely understand! When you have animals that big running at you, the fight or flight instinct can really take over.
So glad you got out okay, it really is a scary situation to find yourself in!
Hi Darren. Thank goodness you are both ok. I live in Derbyshire and walk every day. I’ve had several experiences being chased by cows and believe they are not as daft as they look. I now have a dog and enjoy the fields in the winter months. Sadly the spring and summer are not the same as I now refuse to pass through a field of cows and that’s that. I love walking on the moors behind my house but now I can’t get on to them because there are cows in the adjoining fields. I tend to follow footpaths now. Places like kinder or mam tor etc. Like many others on here, as soon as I see our lovely bovine animals I am petrified. I walked through a field this morning where the adjoining field had heifers and calves. Thank goodness for the wall as they all charged over towards me. Even with a wall between us I got a little nervous..a gentleman was serious trampled walking on peepoday farm last year..its a no from me. 🐄
Several years ago I was walking with my wife and two young children around 5 and 7, on a marked footpath along a 5’ dry stone walled along the edge in a huge field with cows visible on the far side at least 100 yards away… we had no dog with us.
Half way to the other side of the field and we noticed the herd of cows had moved a lot closer to us and were now walking purposely towards us. We walked faster but not fast enough and were quickly hemmed in. There was no way we would reach the far side before we were surrounded. I decided we had to escape over the wall. My young son needed no encouragement. He seemed to fly over the wall. I helped my wife clamber up on top of the stone wall and passed up my daughter to her. The cows by now had trapped me against the wall. I waved my arms and shouted wildly at them to little effect. By now the lead one was nudging me with its nose and the herd was threatening to crush me against the stones. I scrambled up the wall with the whole herd now encircling me.
We were terrified. Now I never walk in a field where there are cows.
That sounds awful, what a scary experience! I definitely don’t blame you, I feel like this is an issue that needs to be taken a lot more seriously by livestock owners. I know instances like this are in the minority but they do happen – more often than many like to think!
Hmmm you said that you waved your arms and the herd still kept moving forward you I have to say that’s a bit odd . But IV been around cattle my whole life there are aggressive cattle , I would certainly have been concerned with my family there . It could also have been the cattle had been socialized and wanted to be rubbed on I have cows that will fallow me to their gates just got a rub..This is not to say cattle won’t atack they will and can it’s just very rare and breed aggression dose exsist.
I was visiting a site on Hadrian’s Wall and was carrying my 18 month old to a site not far from a car park that involved crossing near grazing cows. The cattle had no calves so I thought it was safe until when my toddler was crying in my arms I became aware of the sound of hooves and was confronted with a cow charging me. I leaped towards a nearby fence preparing to throw my toddler over it (as a last resort) when it stopped not 5 feet away and broke its charge. Perhaps my loud noises discouraged it. I certainly think it was spooked by my toddlers crying as I don’t know why else it would feel a threat from circa 10 metres away on a path that was regularly travelled. I later watched from a safe distance as others walked past the same cow with their dogs.
I can’t even begin to imagine how terrifying this was and I’m so glad that you both got away safely! I’d really like to hike the Hadrian’s Wall trail but I am very nervous after reading that there are cows pretty much the whole way. Maybe going out of season would be better.
Hi Sheree,
Thanks for your article on the dangers of stampeding cows. It immediately struck a chord with me because I and my girlfriend also had a near-miss with a herd of cows on the Weavers’ Way in Norfolk in May 2021. The path went directly through a field of cows and they had calves which must have been why they were agitated at our presence. I was not aware that cows could be so dangerous so we assumed when they began moving toward that they were simply curious or thought we were bringing them food. When they began charging we had to climb over a fence to safety but it could have been much worse. There were no warnings on the route and the path was very poorly marked so it was also easy to get lost in the featureless landscape. It is not an area I will ever visit again!
Hi Andy! I’d say that it is strange that we both had bad experiences with cows in the same place but judging by the lack of help that I received when I raised this issue with the National Trust, I am sadly not surprised. So glad that you made it out safely, it can be a really scary experience.
Last summer I was in the Yorkshire Dales with a friend and my dog. We entered a field with cows and their calves and had to proceed because there was no other way round. It was a busy public footpath with lots of walkers. We stuck close to the edge of the field to stay as far away from the cows as possible but one female cow came towards us in a menacing way with some others following her. My friend shouted at her to try and get her to stop while I tried to get away with my dog on a short lead. The next thing I knew, the cows stampeded us and we were surrounded. I was terrified and so was my dog. I just heard my friend scream at them and thankfully they stopped and we moved away as quickly and quietly as possible. Even if I had let my dog off the lead, she wouldn’t have left my side because of her nature – she just wouldn’t have run away from me. I have never been so frightened and to this day, I have a clear memory of a cow snorting in my face. If either of us had stumbled, we would have been seriously injured.
That sounds so scary Tracy! I’m glad that you all made it out safely.Thanks for your comment.
Hi, I am walking the coast and have a couple of worrying experiences. No one has mentioned bullocks: these are the animals I encountered in Norfolk. No calves but they were probably curious. At first I kept walking saying calming things, but the others from further away were alerted and were coming up at a canter. I could see that they would soon get close enough at a fast enough speed to knock me down and that would be it. I managed to get under a bridge that crossed the stream at the edge of the field and then make a scramble over the gate. Another similar thing in Essex: at first they were a long way off but by a trough and I wondered if they thought I meant food. With cows, I take the precaution of not looking at them: eye contact seems to arouse their curiosity/hostility.
Bullocks can be really scary too! I walked through a field of them with my partner once and they were very interested, following and nudging us as we walked. Never again!
Last year (Aug 2021) I was walking in the Gower alone and I came upon a field with about 40 cows in it so I went to a wooded area next to field. I popped back out further up, cows saw me, I just walked towards stile and then I heard the stomping so I ran.
Thankfully there was a gate next to stile as sometimes this is missing. I’d already walked 10 miles so to have to run in heat was a bit unnerving.
Roll forward to today (May 2022) and here I am on South West Coast Path just about to come into Crackington Haven – again on my own and again 10 miles walked. A field of black & white cows and one started following me so I turned round and said hello. It still followed me speeding up so that started some of the others, I saw the gate so hightail it out of there with them running after me.
I don’t do anything to antagonise them, there’s no calves just lately they seem to be a bit feisty!
I don’t like walking poles but I’m going to get some, if nothing else to wave at a rampant cow scaring the bejesus out of me when I’m on my own!
Whilst having a lovely day walking yesterday, Me and my brother (both with our own dogs on leads – Border and a cocka Poo) entered a field mistakenly thinking that it was a Public Footpath. Typically all signs for the Footpath were not displayed anywhere. We had to pass six cows (One with horns) who just looked at us as we passed them. We thought we were following a footpath but it turned out to be the track left by the cows themselves. After we had passed them, we turned around and saw them trotting towards us. At this stage we became quite concerned as the dogs also started to bark at them. Having followed the tracks we soon realised that there was no way out of the field. I managed to keep them at bay by shouting at them and actually pretending to charge them myself. They still kept coming back to us and again I kept shouting and waving my arms at them. Eventually we were able to safely passage our way back up to the top of the field where we had entered and to escape our ordeal. Instinct had kicked in to me but we were undoubtably very lucky. I will always avoid cattle fields for whatever reason in the future.
Hi Albert,
I’m so sorry to hear about your scary experience! They really can be unpredictable and by all accounts, even more so when there are dogs about. Glad to hear you made it out unscathed!
I’ve been trying to walk the Jurassic way today. So many fields where the path goes are full of energetic bullocks. I’m sure they are just playful but at that weight I wouldn’t come out of their games unscathed. I walked around one such field and under a train track. It was dark now due to all the rerouting I had to do. No rain forecast and above 15c so I decided to put my closed foam mat down and gets some rest. I was dozing off when I heard huffing noises. I could see dark shapes so I put my head torch on and saw the night shine of about twenty bullocks of a large size. I calmly put my stuff in the bag as fast as I could and walked backwards to the fence I had crossed which thankfully was close. I had to keep facing them and shouting as they had their heads down and were cantering. If I turned my back I heard them gallop. I got out of the field ok. But I’m so glad I hadn’t fallen asleep or I could have been in really big trouble. I didn’t see live stock when going into the field and it was on the national walk route with no warning sign. so it was really not on.
Hi John. Sorry to hear about your experience along the Jurassic Way. It is awful that there were no signs, it sounds like you had a very scary night as a result! I really think more needs to be done to ensure the safety of walkers along these national trails.
Hi I’m currently looking after my partner who took our dogs out, not realising he was in a cow field, no cows in sight then 1 just appeared, others then did but further away, it came over, lent on its front legs (like a dog does in play mode) & tried to nut the dog, unfortunately the dogs were on leads tied to his waist, the cow got neck caught in leads & flipped the dogs & my partner over its back then took off, trampling him, it fell on his chest too, he managed to grab a fence like post & hung on for his life & finally the lead snapped.. unfortunately 1 of the dogs died, the other came back to life. He had to get back by walking 6 miles up hill after hiding from cows for a while.. he’s just come out if hospital, on morphine & can’t walk, his chest is bad . He thought he was going to die, it was suffocating him when it lay on his chest/head. Never ever enter anywhere with cows..I used to love them.. at this moment I hate them, killed our dog & nearly my partner.
Hi Helena. This is such an awful story to hear, I hope your partner makes a speedy recovery. Best wishes to you both!
me and my partner was walking over a field when suddenly a large number of cows with their young started running luckily they were being rounded up the, farmer said go cross the field now, with the farmer holding them back. in any cow field first thing I do is look for a wall or a escape plan. I hate cows and the farmers should take full responsibility for any dangerous cattle in the field. I would walk 10 miles around the houses rather then have to take that chance. or look for the farm and ask lf it’s safe to cross.
I was walking, no dog, and entered a small copse opposite which was a field of cows, from the look of it young mothers with their calves. There was also a loose cow in the copse. The cows in the field rushed to the boundary and were making an ungodly noise. Not just your normal mooing. I was really unnerved and managed to take refuge behind a wall, having been tracked there by the loose cow. I was trapped though by an electric fence. Having waited for them to settle down I tried to return the way I’d come but they saw me and repeated the rushing and bellowing. I had to call my partner to come and rescue me!! The didn’t batt and eyelid at him, and I was able to walk back with him. Really odd.
I have always been wary of cows but usually manage to walk through a field with no issue. I try to make sure I know the quickest way out, if necessary and always walk around the herd where possible. Last week my adult son and I were following a public footpath alongside a river bank, we had walked so far, with signs of cows along the footpath, then we could see there were cows up ahead. A couple of them headed up on the bank, so we assumed they were moving out of our way. there were also some cows beside the river and also a couple on the side near the field. We stopped a moment, looking for the best way to proceed. at this point, three of the cows headed towards us. at this point, we were near the river and there were a few trees. we stood there a moment, hoping they were just going to pass us by. I think they were young cows, possibly males. Anyway, they were heading straight for us. My son broke away, running and headed over the bank, down the other side and to the fence, I headed after him. The cows were coming towards me but seemed more interested in following my son. I walked quicky and just hoped I could get safely to the fence. I didn’t think at the time of waving my arms or shouting. As we both negotiated the fence, they did stay a short distance away. Though once we were over, they continued to watch and follow alongside us until a row of hedges stopped them. The fence wasn’t that high and i wasn’t sure if it would actually keep a cow in. This led them into another field, so we could have gone back in but we didn’t feel safe doing so. I will find out who owns the animals and field and will be interested in and feedback received but it’s something I’ve never experienced before and was very unnerving.
Today my wife and I who are on holiday in Asturias (northern Spain) were out for a hike, we were about 80% of the way up the mountain and getting close to the peak, we rounded a switch back to suddenly see 2 bulls and a female cow standing in the somewhat narrow trail. We made a decision to turn around but can’t help from feeling I wussed out and should have continued. The bulls had pretty serious horns and did not look particularly friendly.
Was our decision the right one or would it have been fine?
Hi Eric,
It is so hard to say what could have happened. I think you made the right decision though!
We recently moved from London to the countryside in Warwickshire, loving our new life, embracing the countryside and all it has to offer.
Today I decided to go on a hike. I got to one particular field which had cows in. The field is rural, attached to a farm and although public footpath, not used by the public often.
On entry I could not see any cows until I was fully committed into the field. Halfway through the field between the gate I entered and the gate I was exiting. I noticed a group of cows. Maybe 20 scattered around probably 50 meters away from me. I had no dog with me and no hiking stick.
I noticed one particular cow taking an interest in me. I thought it was just curious at first and decided there was no threat. Even so I still decided it was best to give it and the rest of the herd a wide birth!
The cow started to cut me up and I thought that if I was going to have an issue with this cow I would do the Spanish thing and dodge it!!!!
Then, I noticed the other cows grouping together like a pack of wolves moving closer and closer to me. They had by then formed a triangular v formation with the leader front and centre slowly getting closer to me. I started to get concerned as they looked like they were working together for a reason. Attack was the reason going through my head. I thought about running but decided not to as this would give them more curiosity.
They got to about 3 meters of me and the leader started to charge. As quickly as it started to charge it broke it’s charge and they all scattered off and lost interest, keeping an eye on me none the less.
Never thought cows could be dangerous or a threat until today so decided to google it and came across this forum! Thought I’d share my story. Don’t think I was in too much danger but then again if those cows decided to charge me, I’d be screwed!
Hi George!
Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Glad to hear nothing bad happened on this occasion!