Taking a walk in the countryside is an activity many people enjoy, particularly when the weather is good. We are fortunate in the UK to have many public footpaths which we can use to experience many of the beautiful landscapes on offer.
Unfortunately, many people know someone who has been caught by surprise by animals while using a public footpath, or had it happen to themselves. It can be a very daunting prospect to find yourself walking through a pleasant green field and coming face-to-face with a herd of cattle.
Situations like this can become dangerous and there are occasionally stories of walkers being attacked or trampled by cows. A few years ago there was even a case of a Member of Parliament being injured whilst walking his dog through a field containing cows.
Public footpaths often go through farmland and the owner of the land owes a duty of care to the walkers who are lawfully on their land. Under the Animals Act 1971 the keeper of animals is liable for injuries caused by their animals in certain circumstances.
Cattle with calves are well known to act aggressively towards people to protect the calves. If a public footpath runs through the field they are being kept in, the cattle might attack. Although it may be common sense for the owners of the cattle to keep them in a field without a public footpath running through it, this does not always happen and can lead to severe injuries which could have been avoided.
How Nelsons Can Help
Nelsons have extensive experience of dealing with claims of this nature which have been pursued to a successful outcome. Contact a member of our expert Personal Injury team in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.