Patrick Atherton said he felt 'powerless' after being attacked by cows in Devon (HSE)
A farmer has been prosecuted and fined after a dog walker sustained injuries after being attacked by cows on a public footpath in Devon.
John Hallett, of Birdcage Farm in Ottery St Mary, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(2) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Exeter Magistrates' Court earlier this year after an incident in Devon.
Somerset farm business fined £20,000 for third pollution offence
Patrick Atherton, a retired chartered surveyor originally from the Wirrall, had been dropped off at Birdcage Farm by his wife in June 2022 to take his 13-year-old border collie, Lad, for a walk on a public footpath.
Mr Atherton said several cows with young calves were on the public footpath at the time of the incident.
Pig farmer paid £1m to ditch pigs in favour of housing
"It was ironic," the retired chartered surveyor added.
"For the first time, I had kept Lad on his lead as I had noticed two young calves in the field and thought if he was walking by my side, they would not really notice.
"Unfortunately, one black cow did and it charged at us, knocking me down by the hedge which bordered the path.
Farm in West Yorkshire fined over £25,000 after worker sustains burns from pheasant shed blaze
"I tried to stand up and let Lad off his lead but they kept on knocking me over.
"There were about seven cows involved, but it was the very aggressive black cow which was trying to kill my dog.
Food worker found contaminating Nando's products jailed for three years
"I thought we were going to die."
Mr Atherton said the ‘ordeal' ended once the cattle eventually moved away from them and ran back to the farm.
Devon farm fined after death of 'kind and hardworking' father in overhead power line incident
"I had been powerless to do anything," he added.
"We were both surrounded by cattle.
Petition set up against court ruling of Herefordshire farmer
"I could hear Lad shrieking in pain as he was repeatedly kicked and stamped on.
"He was never the same dog after what happened and he sadly passed away in September this year.
Northumberland farmer receives compensation after dumped asbestos costs over £32,000 to clean-up
"I just want to make other people aware of the risks when out enjoying popular footpaths such as this one."
The dog walker said he ‘escaped' with cuts and bruises following the attack, while Lad had been badly injured which required veterinary medication for the remainder of his life.
Barn fire destroys Surrey farm's winter feed
An investigation had been launched by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after the incident which found cattle with young calves, which are known to be protective and unpredictable, were being kept in a field with a public right of way across it.
HSE inspector Simon Jones said public knowledge and concern is ‘increasing about how dangerous cattle can be'.
Staffordshire farmers admit animal cruelty
"It is fortunate the injuries sustained by Mr Atherton were not life threatening," Mr Jones added.
"However, given the nature of the attack, the end result could have been far worse.
Plumpton College 'excludes' students arrested after sheep killed in 'disturbing' attack
"Public knowledge - and concern - is increasing about how dangerous cattle can be.
"On this occasion Mr Atherton took the right precautions and HSE has taken action against the farmer in question.
West Yorkshire farmer reveals 'trauma' of dog attack incident
"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.
"Íæż½ã½ã should not place cattle with calves in fields where members of the public have a legal right to walk.
Íæż½ã½ã targeted by off-road quad 'gangs' in South Yorkshire
"Had Mr Hallett followed this simple rule, this incident could have been prevented."
Mr Hallet was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,500.
