Cow Tosses Dog Walker 8ft Into Air Before Trampling Him
Steve Adams, a dog walker from Coleshill, Warwickshire, was launched 8ft into the air by a cow while on holiday in East Devon. The cow then repeatedly trampled him as he tried to crawl away, breaking six ribs and causing severe damage to his lungs and spleen.
Holiday Walk Turning into Horror Show
Steve, 63, and his wife Jane were out walking their Springer Spaniel, Lisa, along a public footpath near Sidbury in July 2021. Their route crossed fields containing cows with young calves — a risky mix that ended in disaster.
“It was just one cow, the biggest one,” Steve recalled. “It threw me into the air with its head and then trod all over me. I was trying to crawl away, but it kept landing its hooves on me.”
Despite Jane trying to fend off the animal with a plastic ball thrower, the cow’s attack left Steve struggling to breathe. “It took us 15 minutes to get to the spot, but two and a half hours to make it back. An ambulance was called, and they said I’d broken ribs. It was a pretty scary day.”
Fined Farmer Held Responsible
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation and found that the farmer, Barry Fowler from Sidmouth, had kept cattle with young calves in a field with a public right of way. These animals are known to be protective and can behave unpredictably, especially around dogs.
Fowler pleaded guilty to breaching the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £555 plus £3,000 in costs at Exeter Magistrates’ Court in March 2023.
HSE Warns Farmers About Dangerous Cattle
“The serious injuries sustained by Mr Adams were totally preventable,” said HSE inspector Simon Jones. “Cattle with calves are extremely protective and can become aggressive if they feel threatened.
“Farmers must not keep cattle with calves in fields crossed by public footpaths unless robust fencing separates them from people. If Mr Fowler had done this properly, the incident would never have happened.”
Victim Urges Caution Around Cattle
Steve, who is now retired and a grandfather, offers a stark warning: “I grew up around cattle and wasn’t scared before. Now? I wouldn’t enter a field with cows. You just don’t know what’s going to happen. People should be very wary.”
