- Patrick Atherton and canine Lad, 13 have been knocked to the bottom by seven cows
- Cattle with calves have been being stored in a discipline on a public proper of method
A farmer has been fined after a retiree and his canine have been almost trampled to loss of life by cows on a public footpath.
Retired chartered surveyor Patrick Atherton, 70, and his 13-year-old Border Collie ‘Lad’ have been knocked to the bottom by seven cows whereas strolling in June final 12 months.
They have been saved after the cows have been waved away by somebody, believed to be a farmer. Mr Atherton was left with cuts and bruises from what might have been a deadly assault.
His canine Lad suffered critical accidents after being repeatedly kicked and stamped on by the cows – which on common weigh almost 700kg.
Mr Atherton, initially from The Wirral, Merseyside, says that he thought he was going to die throughout the assault at Birdcage Farm, in Ottery Saint Mary, Devon.
Patrick Atherton was out strolling his Border Collie in June final 12 months after they have been each attacked and almost trampled to loss of life by seven cows from a close-by farm
He stated: ‘I’ve been a coach of Border Collies for a few years.
‘It was ironic that for the primary time I had stored Lad on his lead as I had observed two younger calves within the discipline and thought if he was strolling by my facet they would not actually discover.
‘Unfortunately, one black cow did and it charged at us, knocking me down by the hedge that bordered the trail.
‘I attempted to face up and let Lad off his lead however they stored on knocking me over.
‘There was about seven cows concerned, but it surely was the very aggressive black cow that was attempting to kill my canine.
‘I assumed we have been going to die. I had been powerless to do something,’
Throughout the traumatic ordeal, Mr Atherton additionally was compelled to take heed to Lad shrieking from ache as he was attacked by the animals.
Thankfully the collie survived his accidents – however needed to be medicated for the remainder of his life, and was by no means the identical.
Mr Atherton added: ‘We have been each surrounded by cattle. I might hear Lad shrieking in ache as he was repeatedly kicked and stamped on.
‘He was by no means the identical canine after what occurred and he sadly handed away in September this 12 months.
‘I simply need to make different folks conscious of the dangers when out having fun with well-liked footpaths akin to this one.’
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the incident discovered that cattle with younger calves have been being stored in a discipline with a public proper of method throughout it.
Cattle with calves are identified to be protecting and will be aggressive to walkers, particularly to these with canine.
Between 2018 and 2022, greater than 30 folks have been killed by cows in related incidents, whereas others have been left with life-changing accidents.
Due to those risks, farmers are inspired to cull any aggressive animals or keep away from placing them in fields with public entry.
Public entrances to fields containing probably harmful cattle ought to clearly state whether or not they include cows with calves or bulls within the discipline.
Farmer John Hallett, who owns Birdcage Farm, later plead responsible to breaching Section 3(2) of the Health & Safety at Work and so forth Act 1974.
He was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay prices of £4,500 at Exeter Magistrates’ Court.
Mr Atherton stated that his pet, Lad was by no means ‘the identical canine’ after the assault and died in September this 12 months
HSE inspector Simon Jones stated: ‘It is lucky that the accidents sustained by Mr Atherton weren’t life threatening, nonetheless given the character of the assault the tip outcome might have been far worse.
‘Public data – and concern – is growing about how harmful cattle will be. On this event Mr Atherton took the best precautions and HSE has taken motion towards the farmer in query.
‘Cattle are extraordinarily protecting of their calves and even calm cattle can grow to be aggressive in the event that they assume the calves might, in any method, be threatened, even by members of the general public strolling previous.
‘Farmers mustn’t place cattle with calves in fields the place members of the general public have a authorized proper to stroll.
‘Had John Hallett adopted this easy rule, then this incident might have been prevented.’