Solitary chicken - need advice

[Old Speckled Hen]

I had a very interesting run this morning.

I usually do a three mile cross country loop following proper walking "footpaths".

Some of the field have sheep and cattle in them but Ice, my collie, stays by my heels if bidden and usually all is OK.

 

I didn't spot these

 

Suddenly I heard the thundering of hooves and 10 stirks came over the brow of the hill. By the time they reached me I was pressed up against a stone wall with nowhere to go but over it. Usually they are just curious and stand looking; not this time. They stopped about 15 feet away but every time I moved a little they panted a little closer. It was the Ice they were interested in

Sorry Ice you're on your own as I scrambled over the wall into the next field.

 

Poor thing

By the time I got to the end of the field, hopped back over the wall and opened the gate he'd done two laps closely followed by the bullocks

They can run jolly fast, cows, can't they

[Chucky Mama]

We know a lady vet that was killed in similar circumstances a month or so ago

[Egluntyne]

David Blunkett came a cropper too, under similar circumstances.

 

Am glad you are OK.

[Snowy]

Oooh, scary! Glad you are OK! A few of our walks are across fields of cows but they never used to worry me. Now if i go out with the children, it worries me far more and I keep as far away from them as i can. Might just avoid those fields until the cows have been moved on. I could cope with them chasing me (well to a point ) but the thought of them chasing us with the children! Gives me the heeby jeebys.

[The Dogmother]

Cripes! Glad you're OK

[jlo]

Blimey - glad you are both ok!

 

We went across a field of cows a few years ago. DD was a bit worried but we were reassuring her that the cows were more scared of us than we were of them. Then a young bullock started heading towards us and the rest followed. We were still trying to remain calm ..."Just move a little faster kids!" and we managed to get over the stream.

 

Since then I have not liked being in a field with cows especially when I am walking on my own and even more especially after hearing about the lady vet! I did hear about that at the time Chucky Mama!

[Couperwife]

I was talking to someone about cows not so long ago.

 

apparently its the dogs that they go for , they dont attack (generally) people.

 

what actually happens is that the dog owners try and "save" the dog, the dog does a runner and the owner cops the heavy cow. so the deal is, do exactly as you did and leave the dog to it.

 

im glad you werent hurt though

 

cathy

x

[Lewis]

I've heard a few of these stories, and the one with the vet and her dog. Glad you're ok OSH.

 

People have the dog on a lead and try to run away, but then the cows run after the dog, so its best to keep the dog off lead - but I'm sure you already knew as you did

[Olly]

Ouch, sounds very nasty! I was going to say the same as Couperwife - you did exactly the right thing, and the dog has a much better chance of getting away than you do. That's quite scary though, I've never been afraid of walking through a field with cattle in but there have been quite a few incidents lately of this sort of thing.

[Space Chick]

Glad you are both OK

[poachedegg]

Gosh that was a close shave. The lady who got killed was a vet in Warrington - here is the article

[kitbag]

That must have been really scary! Glad you and Ice are ok!

[Old Speckled Hen]

Mmmmmmm I've read about the fatalities.

Thanks for all your concern. I wasn't too bothered at the time but realised, once we were both safe, that it could have been serious.

The thing is that most of these youngsters are just curious usually and will walk along side some distance away. Perhaps it was because I was running? Perhaps they got emboldened by their numbers? I will have to change my route.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

That sounds pretty scary, OSH . I would imagine your instinct would be to stay with your dog . A good lesson for all us dogowners .

[Lesley]

You definitely did the right thing - cows deserve every respect!

 

After having two mad Dexters - with horns - we are very wary of any cow - even our Angus calves.......who are growing daily but still a bit skittish as they are young.

 

It must be difficult to leave a dog but absolutely the right thing to do in the circimstances, they can escape much more easily than a human. I can't believe how many peopl follow dogs into water each year, thinking the dog is in trouble......the dog invariably survives and owners very often don't.

[Seagazer]

Very scary. Glad you're ok.

 

YS and I were out for a walk in a country park last year and we turned a corner in a field and there was a herd of cows very close. They all stood up. I was so scared. I had Cookie with me on the lead and YS and I very calmly walked away.

 

I know now that the best thing to do is to let the dog go.