A farmer has been ordered to pay costs totalling over £5,000 after a woman was “trampled” by more than a dozen cows on a public right of way in north Yorkshire.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that livestock were being kept in a field with a public right of way across it and insufficient measures were taken to protect members of the public from cattle and calves.
A sign warning the public of the cattle had been destroyed and not replaced.
Martin Falshaw of Falshaw Partners, Shaws Farm, Swinton, Ripon, North Yorkshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (2) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
He was fined £770.50 and ordered to pay £4,539 in costs.
In July of 2021, Janicke Tvedt and David Hood were surrounded by cows after entering a field off Foxholme Lane near Shaws Farm while on a walk.
Their dog was attacked and the pair attempted to get away but were soon cornered by other cows when 57-year-old Tvedt was knocked to the ground and “trampled”, the HSE said.
She was helped up by Hood, but at a nearby tree they found themselves surrounded by around 15 cows and had to climb a tree to escape a further attack.
Tvedt was airlifted to hospital suffering seven broken ribs, hoof marks on her chest and legs, a broken thumb, and life changing severe internal injuries that required emergency surgery.
She remains severely restricted in her mobility almost three years on, the HSE said.
‘Devastating injuries’
“I had the imprints of hoof marks, bruises, cuts and grazes all over my body,” Tvedt said.
“I was convinced that if I fell asleep, I would never wake up. I still have anxiety when on walks in the countryside and am always on alert for the presence of cattle.
“We live in a rural community and there are lots of footpaths around the fields in the area and I do not want other peoples lives to be at risk.”
Tvedt said she wanted to ensure that the emphasis of her story is to improve awareness of the “dangers of cows”, particularly those in fields with footpaths.
“I am determined not to take on the mantle of being a victim as it’s disempowering.”
After the hearing, HSE principal inspector Howard Whittaker said: “The injuries sustained by Janicke have been devastating and completely changed her life.
“However, given the nature of the attack, the end result could have been far worse and resulted in two people losing their lives.
“Public knowledge – and concern – is increasing about how dangerous cattle can be.
“We completely echo the countryside code which urges walkers to beware of the dangers. On this occasion, the pair tried to stay well away.”
Whittaker said cattle are extremely protective of their calves and that even calm cattle can become aggressive if they think the calves are threatened in any way.
“Where possible, farmers should avoid putting cattle, especially cows with calves, in fields where members of the public have a legal right to walk,” he said.
“Had Martin Falshaw followed this advice, or effectively segregated the cattle, this incident could have been prevented.”
