Cows bloody cows

[Stagger]

Also - apparently cow attacks are three times more likely than bull. although of course , bulls can still be far more dangerous, but very few bulls are put on land with public access - which inevitably distorts statistics in favour of cows

I would doubt that fact as there are herds of cows but only one bull.
Half the population couldn't tell the difference.

Just try keep out of their fields and if you have to cross always have an exit plan, just like fell running.

[Richard123]

Chap killed and his wife injured by cows while walking on the Limestone Way near Ashbourne week before last

http://www.ashbournenewstelegraph.co...ail/story.html

[Mike T]

Did anyone watch countryfile? Apparently cattle attacks are not a rarity.
37 farmworkers have been killed in the last 10 years by cattle or so they said, with injuries many times more frequent than that. The problem is the lack of properly collected statistics, so that "causes" are only anecdotal.

One breed has got media attention because of their attempt to grade and breed in "docile behaviour" - which is being taken by implication as that breed is more dangerous.
Seems to me to similar to the non sequitur false argument about cycling. Because athletics/ cycling has caught more cheats, it is ergo assumed a dirtier sport, which at least in part is because they are actually trying to catch them, unlike sports like american football, baseball etc as the "a rod" affair proves.! Curling I gather is (or was) one of the dirtiest sports!! ie the breed is no more dangerous, just because they are breeding to make it less so!

Also - apparently cow attacks are three times more likely than bull. although of course , bulls can still be far more dangerous, but very few bulls are put on land with public access - which inevitably distorts statistics in favour of cows

As AI said the 37 in 10 years was just farmworkers - the other figure they gave was 24 people killed in the last 4 years, so take care out there.

[BishRuns]

I've read a lot of reports recently and even heard someone say that it's 'cow trampling season' when lots of walkers/runners get trampled/kicked etc. Must be because they have calves. I think the best thing is to stay away or move away quietly and slowly. Lots of dog walkers have been atacked and the worst thing they can do is try to save the dog, although that must be instinctive but your dog can run faster than you and the cows anyway. I'm wure I've read something about this in a James Herbert book?

[noel]

Lots of dog walkers have been atacked and the worst thing they can do is try to save the dog, although that must be instinctive but your dog can run faster than you and the cows anyway. I'm sure I've read something about this in a James Herbert book?

I think you mean James Herriot. Although James Herbert the horror writer might be more appropriate for some of these shocking reports!

[alwaysinjured]

BMC have written a note on it, referring our own fell running incident.
Here https://www.thebmc.co.uk/Taking-care-around-cows

It says nothing new. Interesting they then disappear into a tangent discussion about dogs.

Rock climbers by and large do not take dogs up serious climbs, and the fell runner was without a dog - so why mention them?
( But whilst on that subject, it is also interesting they relate the fact that farmers can destroy dogs that are worrying cattle. But Is this reciprocal? Can walkers destroy cattle that are worrying them or their dogs, when on lead- an interesting piece of legal trivia - not a serious suggestion!).

The most troublesome piece of advice is this:

"If you walk through a field of cows and there happen to be calves, think twice; if you can, go another way and avoid crossing fields."
Surely if cows with calves are now considered sufficient a risk for BMC to give that advice, it is time for farmers to be prevented from putting cows with calves in fields crossed by footpaths! The footpaths are a legal right!

[Nobthrob]

I was spectating at the Bamford Sheepdog Trials yesterday. On running up Townhead Lane up towards Winhill I came across 3 youngish looking cows. Its a narrow section of track and I've come across cows here before. They looked calm enough but i was on my own going slowly uphill (the race comes down this way). On reaching a marshall and pointing out that there were cows on the route the response was a chuckle and 'they've all signed disclaimers haven't they?'

Obviously that wasn't the response I was expecting, but in hindsight he was probably just a local person (unconnected with fell running) who had been sent to stand at a gate, so not his problem.

On returning to the event field after my run I was greeted by stories of charging/stampeding cows. Apparently the RO said at the start that there were cows on the course.

Is this really acceptable? If cows are an avoidable hazard (which recent weeks have shown they are!) then shouldn't the RO be making arrangements with farmers to remove them prior to the race?

[Stagger]

Breaking news, the FRA has revised it's compulsory kit to include the following,
http://www.amazon.com/Magrath-Livest.../dp/B005R3V770

[mr brightside]

Half the population couldn't tell the difference.

Yep. Most common one i hear is that all sheep with horns are male.

[noel]

All cats are female and all dogs are male.