Now the better weather is here some members (like me) are gearing up for a bit of walking so it may be worth a country note.
Setting aside the more lurid accounts of walkers being killed or injured by cattle a few simple precautions will see you through.
Farmers have a 'duty of care' with regard to where they graze cattle but bear in mind bulls can be kept pretty much anywhere up to 10 months old by which time he'll weigh around 450-500Kg (or half a ton) and if he hasn't been snipped he will probably be just starting to get a bit unpredictable. Cattle don't like dogs much so, if you're out with Rex for his constitutional roll in the cow pats, a short lead would be good.
Cattle are nosy so don't turn your back on them. Avoid bright and/or flapping clothing (forget red, that's BS). Be especially wary if there are calves about. Cattle breed year round so forget Spring too! Give them a wide berth even if it means straying from the permitted path. Remember, they might LOOK lumbering but they can shift if they want to. Try to keep to a route with escape options.
Some farmers deliberately put cattle in fields with a permitted path through it because they don't want you there. On the other hand claiming your 'rights' probably won't be high on your list of priorities after being trampled by half a ton of p*ssed off bull.
Enjoy your walk and apply some common-sense to stay safe
Setting aside the more lurid accounts of walkers being killed or injured by cattle a few simple precautions will see you through.
Farmers have a 'duty of care' with regard to where they graze cattle but bear in mind bulls can be kept pretty much anywhere up to 10 months old by which time he'll weigh around 450-500Kg (or half a ton) and if he hasn't been snipped he will probably be just starting to get a bit unpredictable. Cattle don't like dogs much so, if you're out with Rex for his constitutional roll in the cow pats, a short lead would be good.
Cattle are nosy so don't turn your back on them. Avoid bright and/or flapping clothing (forget red, that's BS). Be especially wary if there are calves about. Cattle breed year round so forget Spring too! Give them a wide berth even if it means straying from the permitted path. Remember, they might LOOK lumbering but they can shift if they want to. Try to keep to a route with escape options.
Some farmers deliberately put cattle in fields with a permitted path through it because they don't want you there. On the other hand claiming your 'rights' probably won't be high on your list of priorities after being trampled by half a ton of p*ssed off bull.
Enjoy your walk and apply some common-sense to stay safe
