On being chased by cows..

In article said:

Just moved to South Wales, and there's some great walking straight out
of our front door (between Chepstow and Usk) so on Sunday, with clear
blue skies and snow underfoot, Mrs Z and I set of to explore the
footpaths thereabouts. One of them led straight through a field with
biggish calves in.

A short educational video on how to deal with troublesome cows.

http://funny.ansme.com/videos/matrixcow.html

Best wishes,
David

--
David Biggins
Cambridge, UK

Bitstring <[email hidden]>, from the
wonderful person Zardoz <[email hidden]> said

Quoted message said:

or more likely bulls... (clue - no udders to be seen)

Just moved to South Wales, and there's some great walking straight out
of our front door (between Chepstow and Usk) so on Sunday, with clear
blue skies and snow underfoot, Mrs Z and I set of to explore the
footpaths thereabouts. One of them led straight through a field with
biggish calves in.

Cows - in my experience - are pretty indifferent to human kind but
these were pretty interested in us and wandered towards us slowly so
we kept a wide berth. But once in the middle fo the field and feeling
increasingly nervous one bull started galloping towards us and then
stopped 100 metres or so away, then again and stopped 20 metres away,
and finally gallop towards us just stopping a foot away. All I could
do at this point was clutch Mrs Z by the arm and wonder what the
impact of a fast moving bovine would feel like on a Sunday morning in
Monmouthshire.

Actually quite frightening :-(

Suggestions since by knowing colleagues suggest that the animal was
only playing and was never a danger to us (which is what my experience
to this point has been with cows) and that only Cows with young calves
present any danger...

We had a thread on this a few weeks ago .. yep, (some) yearling cattle
like to play dominance games. Stare them in the eye and hiss at them.
Wave stick(s), or jacket. Mention MacDonalds. And stay out of the way if
they stampede at you (their brakes are not very good on wet mud, and you
may get squashed by accident). They'll often sneak up if you turn your
back, and running away just attracts them (because they're winning).

(Tasers are illegal, but ISTR you can still buy cattle prods. 8>.)

--
GSV Three Minds in a Can
Outgoing Msgs are Turing Tested,and indistinguishable from human typing.

Zardoz said:

or more likely bulls... (clue - no udders to be seen)

Bulls have a big dangly bag in the same place....

They would have been young cattle of either sex.

For more info google urw on cattle.. this one comes up fairly
regularly...

Richard Webb

RJ Webb said:

Zardoz said:

or more likely bulls... (clue - no udders to be seen)

Bulls have a big dangly bag in the same place....

Also you are unlikely to get a field with a lot of bulls in it.

--
Andy Leighton => [email hidden]
"The Lord is my shepherd, but we still lost the sheep dog trials"
- Robert Rankin, _They Came And Ate Us_

On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 10:32:18 +0000, Zardoz <[email hidden]> wrote:

<snip horror story>

Quoted message said:

Actually quite frightening :-(

Very restrained - I'd have called it terrifying if it had happened to
me!

Quoted message said:

Suggestions since by knowing colleagues suggest that the animal was
only playing and was never a danger to us (which is what my experience
to this point has been with cows) and that only Cows with young calves
present any danger...

Well, my uncle the cattle farmer was very annoyed with my cousin for
leading me through a field of aggressive and inquisitive bullocks a
couple of years ago.

When I was a child I was taught not to be frightened of cows, but as
I've grown older I've realised that they can sometimes be dangerous.
Because of that, I'm always a bit nervous in a field full of cows.

Check out the piccies two thirds of the way down this page for a gang
of little bullocks that charged at me during the Pennine Way this
summer, forcing me to beat a quick retreat back out of the field and
wait for someone else to come along and diserse them! 🙂

http://www.peewiglet.com/pennine/pway11.html

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \

* The air of uk.rec.walking was filled with the delicate perfume
* of violets, as Peewiglet <[email hidden]> descended on a shaft
* of golden sunlight, and announced:

Nice to see you're back, Peewiglet - as you'll see from the postings we were
getting worried about you! What happened - did you go into the room where
you store all your gear to add something else to the pile, and the load
shifted burying you such that it took a couple of days to dig yourself out?

Jim Ford

On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 10:32:18 +0000, Zardoz <[email hidden]> wrote:

Cows or bullocks cause me no problems except for cow muck.
Bullocks have no balls in either sense.

Cows have been bred for ?5000? years to be non aggressive.
An inquisitive streak has not yet been bred out of them.
Remember *you* are the boss cow, and act as the boss.
Carry a stick, anything long and thin will do ?tripod?.
Hold the stick out as far as possible to make yourself look as big as
possible. They will move away from the stick.
If all else fails hit them with the stick.

I have held a pack of wild/feral dogs at bay with an aluminium tripod which
they could have bitten through with ease.

Avoid bulls, walk on the other side of the field.

--
Dave F

* The air of uk.rec.walking was filled with the delicate perfume
* of violets, as Dave Fawthrop <[email hidden]> descended on a shaft
* of golden sunlight, and announced:

Quoted message said:

Hold the stick out as far as possible to make yourself look as big as
possible. They will move away from the stick.
If all else fails hit them with the stick.

I was advised once for dogs to hold the edges of your coat/jacket and open
it out like a pair of wings either side, to make yourself look much bigger.
I've only tried once it on a friend's non-threatening dog, and it certainly
made it cower!

Jim Ford

Er --flashing at cows?
One to think about over Xmas
:-)

Quoted message said:

I was advised once for dogs to hold the edges of your coat/jacket and open
it out like a pair of wings either side, to make yourself look much

bigger.

Quoted message said:

I've only tried once it on a friend's non-threatening dog, and it

certainly> Jim Ford

Quoted message said:

Cows have been bred for ?5000? years to be non aggressive.
An inquisitive streak has not yet been bred out of them.
Remember *you* are the boss cow, and act as the boss.
Carry a stick, anything long and thin will do ?tripod?.
Hold the stick out as far as possible to make yourself look as big as
possible. They will move away from the stick.
If all else fails hit them with the stick.

I grew up adjacent to a field always full of cows and never, ever,
felt the slightest bit scared running though it...

.... until a few years ago when someone remarked on my reckless lack of
fear. That made me think!

All the way through this recent encounter I was aware that I ought to
act not scared (so we didn't run) but didn't feel brave enough to
charge him back. Next time :-)

Jim Ford said:

I was advised once for dogs to hold the edges of your coat/jacket and
open it out like a pair of wings either side, to make yourself look much
bigger. I've only tried once it on a friend's non-threatening dog, and
it certainly made it cower!

Unfortunately that does not leave the hands free to protect the more
vulnerable regions, which are somewhat of an open goal, should the dog
call your bluff.

saki

Following up to Zardoz

Quoted message said:

Cows - in my experience - are pretty indifferent to human kind but
these were pretty interested in us

Its quite common for young ones to be curious, a bit of arm
waving is a good idea.
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

I was bittne for the second time this year by a dog, whilest out walking a
couple of days ago. luckely it stopped short of teering my expensive lowe
alpine jacket. unlike the buffaloo trouseres that were torn the last time i
was attacked, while walking using a headlamp in the evening.

there didn't seem to be any reason for the dog to lock onto my arm this
time. luckly the owner was close by and immedetly called the dog off.

coinsedently earlier in the day i had been barked at by the first dog i came
to. which had also started to run towards me before its owner called it. i
started thinking then that i must start taking dogs which bark at me a bit
more seriously, and possibly start to complain to the owners. but after how
often it happens when walking, and also after owning a large dog myself, i
normally shrug it of rather than say something to the owners. not that
barking at people was something my dog was allowed to do.

i don't think that i will be doing that anymore though. and the next dog
that starts barking and moving towards me is probably going to be meet with
the aproprate response. weather the owner likes it or not!.

i was also driven from a feild by a gang of young bullocks and a rather
larger bull once. i was left with they immpression that they could become
quite dangerous and possibly stamped over the top of me. i'm supprised that,
that doesnt happen.

scott

"Zardoz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Cows have been bred for ?5000? years to be non aggressive.
An inquisitive streak has not yet been bred out of them.
Remember *you* are the boss cow, and act as the boss.
Carry a stick, anything long and thin will do ?tripod?.
Hold the stick out as far as possible to make yourself look as big as
possible. They will move away from the stick.
If all else fails hit them with the stick.

I grew up adjacent to a field always full of cows and never, ever,
felt the slightest bit scared running though it...

... until a few years ago when someone remarked on my reckless lack of
fear. That made me think!

All the way through this recent encounter I was aware that I ought to
act not scared (so we didn't run) but didn't feel brave enough to
charge him back. Next time :-)

On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 17:40:15 GMT, "Scott" <[email hidden]> wrote:

| I was bittne for the second time this year by a dog,

Some years ago while exploring a little used local path I found myself
between two Jack Russels whose kennels were beside the path and whose
chains allowed then to terrorize anyone who walked the path. I ended up
with a chain round my legs and got bitten on the hand by one of them. The
owner appeared and dressed the hand, no great harm done. I called the
police and insisted that the dogs be moved.

After that I developed a system for dogs. If a lower numbered plan does
not work use the next higher plan.
1. Make friends with them, sometimes works, after that you have to say
hello to the dog every time you pass.
2. Make like a bigger better dog than they are. Tell them off in your
most commanding voice, for making a noise. Say you will not stand for it.
Sometimes it works and makes them look sheepish.
3. I always carry a stick and wave it in their general direction. They
keep well out of range yapping from a safe distance. I was once taken by
surprise by a dog coming from behind and found myself automatically holding
the stick crosswise across my body. The owner looked *very* shocked.
4. Try to hit them with the stick, only managed that once. Two dogs were
loose on a well used local path defending a territory which included some
stables off the path. They began hunting me. I belted at them hard and
managed to touch one, which ran away at a high rate of knots. I chased it
to its kennel, where it whined in fear. Hopefully it would think twice
about hunting walkers. The other dog sensibly disappeared.
5. Never used this one, but it is best to have a plan you hope never to
use. I always have a *sharp* Swiss Army, non locking, knife. If a dog is
going to bite me, I will open the knife, pad my left hand with whatever is
to hand. Let it get hold of the hand or my stick, to prove that it is
dangerous. and slit its throat. "Self defense officer." In my best pillar
of the community persona.

--
Dave F

On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 11:14:52 GMT, David Biggins
<[email hidden]> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

A short educational video on how to deal with troublesome cows.

http://funny.ansme.com/videos/matrixcow.html

Absolutely surreal! :-)

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

On 22 Dec 2004 14:34:49 GMT, Jim Ford <[email hidden]>
wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

Nice to see you're back, Peewiglet - as you'll see from the postings we were
getting worried about you! What happened - did you go into the room where
you store all your gear to add something else to the pile, and the load
shifted burying you such that it took a couple of days to dig yourself out?

Thanks, Jim 🙂

<blush>
It was actually an embarrassing incident at the local walking shop,
when I was accidentally buried under a pile of fleecy caps, gloves,
jackets and trotterettes. Not to worry, though: I did eventually get
out, with the aid of my little piggly micro-axe :-)
</blush>

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 19:55:45 +0000, Dave Fawthrop
<[email hidden]> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

Some years ago while exploring a little used local path I found myself
between two Jack Russels whose kennels were beside the path and whose
chains allowed then to terrorize anyone who walked the path. I ended up
with a chain round my legs and got bitten on the hand by one of them. The
owner appeared and dressed the hand, no great harm done. I called the
police and insisted that the dogs be moved.

I had a series of Jack Russells as a child, so I'm quite fond of them
in principle. They can be monsters, though: perhaps you should have
kicked one into touch?

Quoted message said:

After that I developed a system for dogs. If a lower numbered plan does
not work use the next higher plan.
1. Make friends with them, sometimes works, after that you have to say
hello to the dog every time you pass.
2. Make like a bigger better dog than they are. Tell them off in your
most commanding voice, for making a noise. Say you will not stand for it.
Sometimes it works and makes them look sheepish.
3. I always carry a stick and wave it in their general direction. They
keep well out of range yapping from a safe distance. I was once taken by
surprise by a dog coming from behind and found myself automatically holding
the stick crosswise across my body. The owner looked *very* shocked.
4. Try to hit them with the stick, only managed that once. Two dogs were
loose on a well used local path defending a territory which included some
stables off the path. They began hunting me. I belted at them hard and
managed to touch one, which ran away at a high rate of knots. I chased it
to its kennel, where it whined in fear. Hopefully it would think twice
about hunting walkers. The other dog sensibly disappeared.
5. Never used this one, but it is best to have a plan you hope never to
use. I always have a *sharp* Swiss Army, non locking, knife. If a dog is
going to bite me, I will open the knife, pad my left hand with whatever is
to hand. Let it get hold of the hand or my stick, to prove that it is
dangerous. and slit its throat. "Self defense officer." In my best pillar
of the community persona.

Wow, you've clearly thought this through in some detail! :-)

Because I'm scared of some large dogs I too have considered what I
might be able to do if a big vicious brute were to go for me, so I
understand where you're coming from with number 5....

(Only y/day I had to turn round about 4/5ths into my lunchtime run and
retrace my steps, when I found a small pack of extremely excited dogs
including an Alsation (not sure what else: the Alsation was enough)
barking madly at each other from two sides of a gate. I was afraid to
pass. Snivel....)

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

Dave Fawthrop said:

On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 17:40:15 GMT, "Scott" <[email hidden]> wrote:

| I was bittne for the second time this year by a dog,

Some years ago while exploring a little used local path I found myself
between two Jack Russels whose kennels were beside the path and whose
chains allowed then to terrorize anyone who walked the path. I ended up
with a chain round my legs and got bitten on the hand by one of them. The
owner appeared and dressed the hand, no great harm done. I called the
police and insisted that the dogs be moved.

After that I developed a system for dogs. If a lower numbered plan does
not work use the next higher plan.
1. Make friends with them, sometimes works, after that you have to say
hello to the dog every time you pass.
2. Make like a bigger better dog than they are. Tell them off in your
most commanding voice, for making a noise. Say you will not stand for it.
Sometimes it works and makes them look sheepish.
3. I always carry a stick and wave it in their general direction. They
keep well out of range yapping from a safe distance. I was once taken by
surprise by a dog coming from behind and found myself automatically holding
the stick crosswise across my body. The owner looked *very* shocked.
4. Try to hit them with the stick, only managed that once. Two dogs were
loose on a well used local path defending a territory which included some
stables off the path. They began hunting me. I belted at them hard and
managed to touch one, which ran away at a high rate of knots. I chased it
to its kennel, where it whined in fear. Hopefully it would think twice
about hunting walkers. The other dog sensibly disappeared.
5. Never used this one, but it is best to have a plan you hope never to
use. I always have a *sharp* Swiss Army, non locking, knife. If a dog is
going to bite me, I will open the knife, pad my left hand with whatever is
to hand. Let it get hold of the hand or my stick, to prove that it is
dangerous. and slit its throat. "Self defense officer." In my best pillar
of the community persona.

Reminds me of the story my dad tells occasionally.
Many years ago, while a policeman, he was the volunteer with a padded
arm and a big stick who was to be chased by the police dog. Unsure what
to do he asked the handler who assured him it would look better for the
crowd if he tried to belt the police dog with the stick. Apparently the
dog was well aware of the procedure and would be alright.
Well my dad ran off, and a few seconds later the dog was released. The
dog leapt at my dad who turned around and lashed at it with the big
stick. He caught the dog right between the eyes. The dog looked
slightly confused for a second and then collapsed unconscious at his feet!!
My dad, somewhat embarrassed, had to leave the field to a string of
obscenities from the dog handler, and distinct muttering from onlookers.

--
Dave McLaughlin

[censored] Sapiens Non Urinat In Ventum

On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 20:55:20 GMT, Dave McLaughlin <[email hidden]>
wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

The dog looked
slightly confused for a second and then collapsed unconscious at his feet!!
My dad, somewhat embarrassed, had to leave the field to a string of
obscenities from the dog handler, and distinct muttering from onlookers.

<Trots away trying to conceal the sound of muffled laughter....>

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk