Farmer fined more than £5,000 after cattle attack walkers

A farmer has been fined more than £5,000 after his cattle with calves at-foot attacked two walkers on a public right of way through his farm. 

Walkers Janicke Tvedt and David Hood were walking their pet labrador through a field of cattle when a protective mother with a calf attacked the dog.

After initially getting away, the walkers became cornered, and 57-year-old Ms Tvedt was knocked to the ground and trampled.

She was airlifted to hospital, and suffered seven broken ribs, a broken thumb, and several internal injuries requiring urgent surgery.

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An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that livestock were being kept in a field with a public right of way across it, with “insufficient” measures taken to protect the public from cattle and calves.

HSE said that a sign warning the public of the cattle had been destroyed and not replaced.

Farmer Martin Falshaw, of Falshaw Partners, Ripon, North Yorkshire, subsequently pleaded guilty to breaching section 3 (2) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

The company was fined £770.50, and ordered to pay £4,539 in costs.

After the hearing, HSE principal inspector Howard Whittaker said: “Public knowledge – and concern – is increasing about how dangerous cattle can be.

“We completely echo the countryside code, which urges walkers to beware of the dangers. On this occasion, the pair tried to stay well away.

“Cattle are extremely protective of their calves and even calm cattle can become aggressive if they think the calves may, in any way, be threatened, even by members of the public walking past.

“Where possible, farmers should avoid putting cattle, especially cows with calves, in fields where members of the public have a legal right to walk.”