‘I ran for my life from stampeding cows on footpath’

Shocked rambler flees ‘aggressive’ herd

An experienced rambler says he was forced to “run for his life” when he was set upon by a herd of cows on a public footpath. Astra Lyaff encountered the “aggressive” livestock as he walked through fields around the Nethergong Penn - a stream running between Chislet and Upstreet.

The incident took place just a day before an 82-year-old died after he was trampled by cows while hiking in the Yorkshire Dales.

Mr Lyaff said: “I was attacked by the cow herd which appeared to have been released by the farmer.

“They had a very angry disposition and I had to run for my life managing to get out, closing the gate behind.”

Mr Lyaff says he “managed to save [himself] from being trampled to a very painful death”. “I have seen other walkers on that route who may not be that lucky,” he added. “The news of a man trampled to death [in Yorkshire] is an example of such an incident.

“I have seen children cutting across this footpath on a previous occasion, though fortunately for them the farmer had not yet released his stock here.” Mr Lyaff says that, as a seasoned walker, he is always careful to follow the countryside code.

“I had not approached these cows or appeared to provoke them,” he said.

“I am aware they had young calves, therefore were very protective of them. Despite making sure I was keeping a safe distance, I was attacked. “These cows are on the public footpath, therefore are encroaching on what is considered a safe path to walk on. “A tragedy is just waiting to happen.”

Kent County Council has since stepped in to remedy the situation.

A spokesman for the authority said: “A member of KCC’S Public Rights of Way team contacted the landowner, who was very apologetic.

“The cows actually belonged to a tenant, not the landowner, and have now been moved to an alternative site.”

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