attacked by cows

[tobyw]

my sister was walking through a field with her dog when she was attacked, headbutted and trampled by cows. it is a right of way. she had to be flown in a helicopter to hospital. she has a badly fractured arm and extensive bruising from her head down and over her buttocks. she is trying to find out if she has legal redress, but is having difficulty finding info out. she has rung back police and farmers organisations but cannot find out

[jomifl]

Ask a solicitor, they should answer a simple question like this for free in the hope of getting further work.

[Postdog]

No expert but if it was a right of way, then surely whoever grazed the cattle there would be subject to public liability insurance. Had it not been accessible to the public then maybe a different story.

[ubasses]

Speak to local health and safety executive I think they make decisions in this type of situation.

[DTCwordfan]

attacked by cows

that's not a nice indictment of AB women....

I think that you will find that you will need to present a case that you entered a field in good faith and did not trespass. The fact that you were with a dog does not bode well though.......was the dog on a lead.

You need a lawyer with agricultural knowledge - I know one in Newbury if you are near there.

[Maydup]

No doubt its a grey area, whether its a right of way for humans or for humans with their dogs. Its countryside lore that cows with young ones are going to be very protective and "herd" when dogs are in sight. If the dogs run they follow and can attack. More often than not the dogs are faster and get away diverting the cows from their human owners. Maybe your sister held on to the lead and took the brunt of it.

How awful for her. I hope she makes a speedy recovery.

[tamborine]

Depends what rights she had to be on the field. Cows dont like strange dogs as they are predators in cows eyes. This time of year cows are calving & can be aggresive.

Always keep dogs on leads in livestock fields and walk near fence, so you can jump out if necessary. Hope your sis recovers well.

[gadgetgeek]

Check this link, it may help.

http://www.newdeal-fa...-caused-by-cattle.php

If the incident has just happened then yr sisters priority should be getting better. Any legal redress should be secondary but this doesn't seem to be the way of the world now. I hope she is on the road to recovery and the same incident doesn't reoccur to anyone else in the field!

[Ratty2E]

I'm sorry your sister was attacked and I hope she recovers fully.
I don't know but I would imagine if you choose to walk through a field of livestock you take your chances, I don't think you can sue.
The cows will be after the dog not normally the human. In a situation where you think you are about to be stampeded it is recommended that you release the dog. The cows will go after the dog, which can probably out run the cows and divert attention from you giving you chance to make an escape.