Walking the dog? Beware cows on the rampage

COWS are more likely to kill or injure people who are walking dogs, a study has found.

The first review of cases of cattle attacks in Britain found dog-walkers made up more than two-thirds of victims.

University of Liverpool researchers analysed 54 serious attacks by cows between 1993 and 2013.

One in four of these attacks was lethal, the researchers said.

Dr Carri Westgarth, a dog behaviour expert at the university, said: ‘We found that walking with dogs among cows, particularly with calves present, was a common factor for an attack.

‘One theory for this is that the cows may feel particularly threatened by dogs, especially if they have young to protect.

‘People then try to protect their dogs, which can lead to a tragic incident occurring.’

The review, published in journal Injury Prevention, found injuries

‘Feel particularly threatened’

f rom cattle were an underreported public health risk.

Dr Marie McIntyre, who coauthored the review, said: ‘There is currently no official system in place for reporting attacks, so it is highly likely that there have been far more incidents than we know about.

‘Further work is needed to fully assess the public health impact of this issue.’

About five people a year are killed by cows, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Dr Westgarth said: ‘The countryside is a great place to exercise dogs, but it’s every owner’s duty to make sure that their dog is not a danger or nuisance to farm animals, wildlife or other people.

‘Considering our findings, the best advice, if cattle approach, would be to let your dog off the lead, as then it can escape, and the cows are also likely to remove their focus from you.’

Alistair Porter, 66, a retired professor from Edinburgh University, was trampled to death by 30 cows in Turleigh, Wiltshire, while walking his dogs with his brother in 2013, an inquest heard last year.