With the weather warming and summer holidays approaching,  more people will be enjoying leisurely walks in the countryside. Thanks to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, the public are entitled to access and enjoy the countryside this does however, come with risk.

Between 2015-16 and 2019-2020 the Health and Safety Executive (‘HSE’) investigated approximately 142 incidents relating to cows. 22 of these resulted in death, and the majority involved those who work with cows. Approximately 4 of those deaths, were suffered by members of the public. Lastly, the HSE investigated 65 non-fatal accidents involving cattle and members of the public in the same period.

More recently, the HSE fined a Cornish farmer for failing to take action when walkers had been attacked by cattle with calves on a public footpath. Cattle with young calves are known to be protective and unpredictable yet in this case they had been kept in a field with public access.

Farmers should have regard to the HSE’s guidance, which states where reasonably practicable, they should:-

Farmers who keep cattle are also reminded by the HSE that members of the public are unlikely to understand cattle behaviour, and this should be taken into account when placing livestock on land, considering points such as the type of public access in the area (e.g., will it be large groups of walkers with dogs, groups of children or lone walkers?).

Animals Act

Under the Animals Act, a claimant will need to prove the following points to success:-

• the damage is of a kind which the animal, unless restrained, was likely to cause or which, if caused by the animal, was likely to be severe; and
• the likelihood of the damage or of its being severe, was due to characteristics of the animal which are not normally found in animals of the same species or are not normally so found except at particular times or in particular circumstances; and
• those characteristics were known to that keeper or were at any time known to a person who at that time had charge of the animal. 

Dogs and their impact

Cows are sometimes allegedly more threatened by  dogs than humans, and will instinctively become aggressive towards a dog especially when protecting their calves.  If you are walking your dog and become attacked by cows, it is advised to let go of the dog’s lead. The dog will most likely outrun the cow(s).

On 18 March 2026, a new law came into effect which gave farmers stronger protection from dogs to prevent livestock worrying. Under The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025, if a dog has attacked or worried livestock, the owner can receive an unlimited fine, and the police have powers to seize and detain the dog. Therefore, your dog should remain on a lead when around livestock (including cattle, but especially sheep), unless attacked, when it advised releasing the dog from the lead to outrun the livestock.

Advice

Sometimes, a herd’s curiosity is mistaken for aggression. Members of the public are advised to remain calm and refrain from making startling or quick movements when approached by cows. Similarly, stay clear of any calves, stick to the paths and remain vigilant.

If you are attacked by livestock to include cows, or even a bull please do not hesitate to contact Nelsons, inform the landowner (if known) and the local authority of the attack. You can also contact the Concerned Over Walkers Safety (COWS) community, to receive advice from those who have also been injured or frightened by cattle while out on a walk.