Posted By J Knight
Hi Ian,

Bulls do kill people every year, though not as many as horses (and, apparently, donkeys). However, I think the farmer has a right to put his bull in a field with a footpath through it; there's some sort of principle to do with violence being in the animals nature and therefore not entirely the fault of the farmer provided he or she isn't reckless in the way they manage the animal. I think so, anyway,

John

Posted By Linda Westrupp
Ian
Please see following advice from Defra to farmers on liability and safety when footpaths cross farmland.

"If an animal injures somebody or causes damage, you may be liable under the Animals Act 1971. The Countryside Agency has a produced a summary of the owners liability under the Animals Act 1971.

There are a number of precautions that can be taken:

consider temporarily fencing rights of way so that cattle cannot access them
dairy breed bulls must not be kept in fields with footpaths
beef stock bulls kept in such fields must be accompanied by female stock
consider carefully whether animals should be kept in fields with public access - this could include an assessment of animal temperament, the type of public access, and the sort of people likely to use the field in question"
Hope this helps
Linda

Posted By J Knight
Hi Kevin,

Didn't know that (as should be obvious by my posting which is evidently a load of bull, as it happens); thanks for the info,

John

Posted By Jonathan Breeze
Ian:

I'm guessing but...

If it's in a field with Fresian cows (black & white ones) it's probably a dairy bull.

If the cows it's with look in any way meaty or otherwise appetising (Welsh Blacks or Charolais round by us), then you've got a problem (or perhaps more than one problem)!

or you can download this handy guide courtesy of Devonshire CC:

http://www.devon.gov.uk/...y/faqs/bulls_on_prow.htm

Posted By Thomas Kennedy
There was an incident a few tears back I recall where a water board employee was killed by a bull.

See attached link.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/387285.stm

Thomas

Posted By John_Webster
Robert

Have you tried Flemish, or possibly French?

Posted By steve e ashton
Just to note:

The WoSWA incident referenced above involved the bull crashing through the fence to get at the worker, who was effectively minding his own business (or at least his employer's business) on the public highway.

The prosecution was for failing to keep the animal behind a secure fence. Although in that case, 'secure' would probably have required the standard of fencing more commonly seen round elephant enclosures in wildlife parks. The bull was known to be bad tempered, and came through the field boundary at the gallop.

Don't assume that a few strands of wire (or a few thin strips of timber) will stop (or even noticeably slow) a stampeding chunk of beef. If your escape plan is to 'vault the fence' you may still be at risk. It is safer to identify an easy-climbing tree within reach!

Steve

Posted By Smiff
You wanted a farmer, sorry I'm late!

Firstly; the risk to the public is greatest from cows, and more specifically suckler beef cows (mums with babies)

Secondly; it IS permissible to keep a bull in a field crossed by a RoW if it is with herd and not of a recognised dairy breed. (WACA '81)

Thirdly; Colour is little indication of cattle type. There are brown dairy cattle and (I have) black and white beef cattle. The best indication is the shape of the beasts.

Fourthly; You will not tell by the cows it is with if a bull is of a recognised dairy type. Dairy cows are typically put to a beef bull other than when breeding dairy stock, which is usually by AI.

Beef bulls will generally not have a problem unless you appear to pose a threat to him or his wifes (don't stand betweem him and his cows) or you otherwise agitate the herd (stand between the cows and calfs or frighten them). Approach making plenty of sound especially if they lying down. Singing is good. Get off your bike if riding one and approach on foot, that's more familiar to them. Go round the herd rather than splitting them up. Keep dogs under close control-short lead. Watch for body language- eye-rolling, tamping, snorting, head-shaking are generally bad things - curiosity, sniffing, following you around are usually signs the're happy. If in any doubt go the other way.