The death of a man who was trampled by a herd of cows in a field was an accident, an inquest jury has found. The incident followed three previous attacks in the same and neighbouring fields, after which HSE explained to the farmer his duty to “reduce the risk as far as one possibly can”.
The jury heard how former Edinburgh University lecturer Mike Porter and his brother were knocked to the ground by the herd as they crossed a field near Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire in May 2013.
The 66-year-old and his brother John, 74, had been walking their dogs on leads on a public footpath through Elbow Field, in Turleigh, when they were attacked. A witness described the cows “going mad” as they surrounded the men. The younger brother died at the scene.
Mr Porter’s death followed a previous attack in Elbow Field, in 2008 and two in a neighbouring field in 2011. Following these incidents HSE had visited the farmer, Brian Godwin, to explain his duty to reduce risk.
Mr Porter’s brother told the inquest on at Salisbury Coroner’s Court how the herd knocked them down repeatedly and seemed to “deliberately trample” on them “as if it was something they really wanted to do”.
The inquest heard that of the 57 animals on the farm at the time of Mr Porter’s death, 49 were continental breeds or cross-breeds.
Thirty-one had been there during three previous attacks, but there was no evidence about which cows in particular were involved.
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At last, someone showing some sense when it comes to members of the public entering areas where animals are at large. Why have we forgotten that animals are unpredictable and entry into their domain is something to be undertaken with a degree of caution. Farm animals often distrust dogs, especially when their young are around; so their reaction is to be considered. Why do the HSE expect farmers to control animals in the vicinity of walkers on public footpaths! What do they do, give up good pasture for ramblers etc.??? We have become so cossetted in the UK, that we expect everything and everywhere to be ultra-safe and we forget where our food comes from.
Until we, as a nation, accept there is risk when venturing outdoors and agencies also accept people must exercise personal responsibility when entering parks and open countryside; and not blame others for every misfortune that can occur and then also expect compensation, we will continue to have a risk averse society where no-one wants to do anything but sit in front of their TV or computer, getting fatter and more sedentary.
Please can we get back to sensible safety and have a society (and agencies) which accept things sometimes happen and no-one is at fault!
maybe he should have rounded the herd up and given them a tool box talk on pedestrian safety. hse eh? mostly now a bunch of graduates who have never had a proper job. but there agin thinking where there is blame there is a claim.
isnt it about time individuals took responsibility for their own actions, taking dogs, regardless of whether leashed, into a field where other livestock are present is asking for trouble.