Public and cattle dont mix
Public and cattle dont mix
By Hannah Velten
KEEPING known aggressive cattle in fields with public access is inadvisable and might lead to a gross negligence or manslaughter charge, warns the Health and Safety Executive.
Between April 1990 and March 2000, the HSE investigated 30 public injuries/fatalities caused by cattle in fields with public rights of way. Most cases involved suckler cows with calves at foot and dogs, both off and on the lead, says HSEs Neil Craig.
"Dogs have aroused and been the target of aggressive behaviour in suckler cows, particularly when people have inadvertently walked through a group of cows and split calf and mother."
Under present legislation, it is illegal to put dairy bulls into fields crossed by a footpath, but beef bulls over the age of 10 months can be when accompanied by cows or heifers.
But before putting cattle into public access fields, the onus is on producers to carefully consider whether this will cause a public risk and whether there are alternative fields that could be used, says Mr Craig. "Assessing risk means taking into account how frequently the right of way is used and by whom, such as groups of children or walkers with dogs."
The type and likely behaviour of animals is most crucial to the decision. "Putting a group of beef bulls under 10 months of age in public access fields carries a risk to the public as they are not likely to be placid and well behaved.
"And when possible, do not put down calvers in a field with a footpath as even normally placid animals will become aggressive when maternal instincts are aroused. This protective behaviour is seen in cows with calves of any size or age," he warns.
"When no alternative fields are available at calving, an electric fence could be erected either side of the footpath. But it is essential to check the fence regularly. Once stock go through fencing, they are likely to do so again," says Mr Craig.
When, after consideration, cattle are put into public access fields producers should continually monitor their behaviour, he warns. "Even placid animals can become aggressive when they are stressed or ill. One incident occurred during a hot day, when cattle were continually being forced out of a shaded area by walkers."
Producers should increase monitoring when chasing is reported and decide whether it is a one-off incident. But at any sign of aggressive behaviour, the group or individuals must be moved out of the field. "When an incident occurs and producers have guilty knowledge – knowing cattle are likely to cause injury – prosecution is likely." *
It is an unlikely event, but when walkers dogs and suckler cows collide the consequences can be serious, says HSEs Neil Craig.
Public access signs
Producers can erect a standard warning sign to inform the public when a bull is in the field. A bull should be shown on the sign (black on yellow), with supplementary text such as Bull in field added when required. The word Danger should never be used on a sign as this admits guilty knowledge and could deter the public from using the right of way which is illegal. Around cattle, it is advisable to put up signs asking the public to keep dogs on a lead.