The Forum of Benfleet Running Club

Karl C

A woman has been trampled to death by a herd of cows while walking her dogs in a field in the Yorkshire Dales.

The victim, from Warrington, Cheshire, had been walking along a stretch of the Pennine Way outside the hamlet of Gayle, near Hawes.

It is thought the cows were panicked by the sight of her two dogs - a brown and white spaniel and a collie-type - who were both on their leads at the time.

North Yorkshire Police said the woman had not yet been formally identified.

The stampede occurred at about 1215 BST on Sunday.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "She was surrounded by a herd of cattle and calves, and as a result of dogs being present, the cattle reacted in an aggressive manner."

Last year another dog walker, Sandra Pearce, 45, died in a cattle stampede at South Elmham in Suffolk.

JBD · #3 Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 317

So we were perhaps a little over casual in our shoo-ing of the beasts we encountered on sunday then ??!

Blimey

Karl C · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:02 pm Post subject:

My thoughts exactly...

david thomson · #2 Joined: 20 Oct 2006 Posts: 264 Location: thundersley

yikes
ive had cows charging at my little cocker when luckily weve been on the other side of a fence. must admit im never too sure what to do when im out running and i encounter cows , often lots of them over little havens woods and on the downs.and they often just stand there staring me out so i take a wide berth

Jez · #2 Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 291 Location: Eastwood

Too many jokes in that last post David! :blackeye:
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Jez

www.justjez.co.uk

Pammie · #3 Joined: 01 Jul 2006 Posts: 385

yikes indeed

often run past cows and there young in fenced off fields phew. they do the staring sometimes the running thing.

Only time i have encountered them in the open have been on the club runs on the downs
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I'll put something interesting here when i've thought of something, in the meantime heres some music.

Karl C · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 3:48 pm Post subject:

If you find yourself in a field of suddenly wary cattle, move away as carefully and quietly as possible, she says. "Keep dogs close and on a leash - and if the cows charge, let go the leash. The dog will outrun the cows and it will outrun you."

Because generally it is this four-legged threat the cows are trying to see off. But the dog's owner may be caught up in the attack if the dog cannot run away and instead tries to hide behind its human.

Those without canine companions should follow similar advice: move away calmly, do not panic and make no sudden noises. Chances are the cows will leave you alone once they establish that you pose no threat.

The National Farmers' Union also recommends that walkers avoid crossing fields.

"Cows are quite docile animals, but can get nervous," says Ms Woods.

And at five feet tall and weighing at least 1,000 pounds (450kg), it wouldn't do to make a cow too nervous.

mikemoreton · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:33 pm Post subject: