A police officer who was trampled by a herd of cattle
has received more than £10,000 after being left unable to work for
five months.
Inspector Chris Poole was walking his dog on the Sussex Downs
when the cows punctured his lung, broke four ribs and severed an
artery.
The landowner, who did not admit liability, paid Insp Poole in
excess of £10,000 when he began legal action, claiming not enough
was done to protect the public footpath users from the animals.
"I really want to put out the message that cows can't be
trusted," he said following the accident in October 2007.
"I'm not one to believe in unnecessary over-regulation, but I
think a lot of people don't realise how dangerous cows can be.
"If farmers and landowners put signs up it could make people
aware of the dangers."
Common law says if animals behave aggressively or in an unusual
manor, famers have a legal responsibility to erect warning signs or
fences to protect lawful walkers on their land.
The NFU have urged dog walkers to show more caution following
the recent incidents involving public and cattle.
The payout follows two other recent cattle attacks involving dog
walkers, one which
left a woman dead and another involving
former Home Secretary David Blunkett.