Cows to lose their horns after increase in injuries to walkers
HUNDREDS OF cows in the New Forest are to have their horns removed because people have “lost any respect” for the dangers of livestock.
It follows a rise in serious injuries to walkers in the last year, including the goring of an 86-yearold woman.
Now owners are being asked to de-horn their cattle to help prevent future injuries.
Tony Hockley, chairman of the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association, said: “People seem to have lost all connection with the countryside and any healthy respect for large livestock.
“It is wonderful that the extensive grazed lowland heath has survived here while it has been lost almost everywhere else.
“It is now a habitat that is more rare than rainforest, of global importance for biodiversity.
“Grazing by cattle is central to this.”
He said that in the past the biggest threat to the common was development but now it was “thoughtless recreation”.
Mr Hockley hit out at dog walkers who refuse to put their pets
on short leads when near the cattle.
He said: “Over the years, dangerous incidents involving livestock have been extremely rare.
“Yet in the past two years there have been several.
“Poor behaviour by a few makes potential victims of the many. One badly controlled dog can make an animal defensive to other dogs, however well controlled.
“We would urge people to inform the police whenever they
witness a dog out of control around livestock. It is illegal and reporting it helps protect everyone.”
In August this year, 86-yearold Amelia Borrelli was gored in the leg by a cow’s horn, it was reported.
The pensioner had to spend a week in hospital recovering from the injury.
Ms Borrelli, from Fritham, Hants, said she and her dog may have inadvertently come between the cow and a calf.