Killer Cows

They’re after me

The Guardian published an article about killer cows. Apparently, cows are the biggest single cause of death for farmers and actually cause more deaths, according to some sources, than dogs. Don’t worry, they’re not armed; they just, well, squash you.

My own coastal walking journey has included a number of bovine encounters and whilst I’ve never actually yet been “attacked”, I have certainly been left nervous and a little shaken on more than one occasion when encountering these allegedly gentle beasts. In my view it is just a matter of time before I fall beneath the hooves. Lost forever in the mud and muck…

Last year in Cornwall we crossed a field of young bullocks. We had a dog with us and people who know have suggested that one should let the dog off the lead as the cows are more interested in it than they are in you.

Not so. This herd entirely ignored the dog and surrounded us, in the end forcing us to abandon the path, hop over a wall, and find a new route to get past them. Reading the article, I’m glad we did!

Other enlightened people have suggested that it’s simply a matter of calves and their mothers. “Just don’t get in between them and you’ll be fine”.

Not so. A herd I encountered in North Wales was all young males — not a mother in sight, and my journey around…