Tue May 10, 2022 6:28 pm
#1910921
Several of my regular walks take me through fields of cows (and sometimes bulls).
It's never really been a problem. I tend to make sure I don't startle them, give a wide berth to any with calves, and normally they just casually move off the footpath or at least give enough room to pass.
One evening last autumn they decided to full on charge at me, which was truly terrifying. I only got away with it by 6 - 10ft, through a mix of passing behind a cow that was slow to get to its feet (and got in the way of the others), and scrambling down a grass bank (which I learnt after the event was probably a wise move). At the time I put this down as a one off incident, probably due it being late dusk/twilight and them being spooked by me. However, this week they decided to be intimidating again. Not a full-on charge, but forming a group and determinedly walking straight at me, rather than casually dispersing from the path as normal.
I'm not waving a red flag; not walking a dog; not seemingly doing anything different to the past 9 years.
Any thoughts on what might be triggering their aggression, and best tactics for if they charge? Out running them isn't an option, trust me!
It's never really been a problem. I tend to make sure I don't startle them, give a wide berth to any with calves, and normally they just casually move off the footpath or at least give enough room to pass.
One evening last autumn they decided to full on charge at me, which was truly terrifying. I only got away with it by 6 - 10ft, through a mix of passing behind a cow that was slow to get to its feet (and got in the way of the others), and scrambling down a grass bank (which I learnt after the event was probably a wise move). At the time I put this down as a one off incident, probably due it being late dusk/twilight and them being spooked by me. However, this week they decided to be intimidating again. Not a full-on charge, but forming a group and determinedly walking straight at me, rather than casually dispersing from the path as normal.
I'm not waving a red flag; not walking a dog; not seemingly doing anything different to the past 9 years.
Any thoughts on what might be triggering their aggression, and best tactics for if they charge? Out running them isn't an option, trust me!