A dog walker has been rescued from a tree by firefighters after scrambling to flee an angry cow.
The man, who was forced to hide for more than an hour, was walking on a public footpath near a calf when its mother ran through a fence towards him.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service was then called to the scene.
Two teams from the fire service, one from Shanklin and one from Newport on the Isle of Wight arrived to the scene at 9.30am and found an angry cow waiting for the man at the base of the tree.
The cow’s owner was then called to the scene, and coaxed the cow and its calf away.
The walker then scaled down the tree and was reunited with his dog, with the fire service leaving the scene after 90 minutes.
A fire service spokesman said: “Animals we come across regularly in our countryside, such as cows and horses, have strong maternal instincts to protect their young, so it is vital to keep your distance.
“When out walking in the countryside, in fields or areas that contain livestock try not to get too close and always keep your dog on a lead. If you feel threatened by an animal, remain calm and find a safe place.”
The man was rescued near Whitley Bank on this farm | HAMPSHIRE & ISLE OF WIGHT FIRE RESCUE SERVICE
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said on average four to five people are killed in cattle accidents each year.
While most who are killed are farm workers, 24 per cent were members of the public walking on footpaths.
In August 2024, an unnamed 55-year-old woman was trampled by a herd of 30 cows while walking her dog near Billinghurst in West Sussex.
Pamela Joyce Barnwell was killed by cattle in October last year.
LATEST FROM THE SOUTH EAST:
Cows can have strong maternal instincts to protect their calfs
|
PAAn inquest into the 88-year-old’s death revealed she was rushed to hospital but died from multiple traumatic injuries the following day.
Between 2020/21 – 2022/23, eight members of the public were killed in incidents with cattle while walking on public walkways.
Mark Livesey was attacked by cows in September 2020, while walking with his 82-year-old mother.
His mother suffered a broken arm and their 15-year-old dog, Harvey, was killed.
Figures from HSE reveal that 32 people have been killed by cows between 2018 and 2022 | PA
He said: “It literally became a frenzy. The poor dog went to the ground and they just started to trample him.”
“I’m definitely lucky to be alive and certainly my mother is,” added Mr Livesey.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) suggested walkers follow the Countryside Code to avoid cattle-related incidents.
A spokesman for the union said: “If walking with a dog it [the code] recommends keeping dogs on a lead and under close control around farm animals and horses, but to release them if threatened or chased by livestock.”