John Connolly John Connolly

Cow attacks are no laughing matter

issue 27 August 2022

One of the worst things about being attacked by a cow is that no one takes it very seriously afterwards. My partner Claire and I found that out the hard way after a walk in Devon.

We were making our way through a large field on a public footpath, heading towards a herd of cows milling around a stile. Most were ignoring us, but one seemed different – larger and more malevolent than the others. It began to stare intensely at us, and as we carried on, it started to walk slowly in our direction.

Hoping it might be a curious cow, rather than an aggressive one, we branched out to the left to give it a wider berth. But the cow then broke into a full-on run. At this point we froze, thinking it might slow down if we didn’t spook it. Only when it was almost on top of us, showing no sign of stopping, did I crack and scream: ‘RUN!’

The cow ground to a halt, momentarily shocked at the sound of my voice, but then reared up on its hind legs like a stallion and leapt after me as I sprinted away.

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