Dog walker attacked and trampled on by cows is left with life-changing injuries
A dog walker suffered life-changing injuries when a number of cows trampled her in a field, forcing her to escape the danger by climbing a tree.
Janicke Tvedt, 57, and her friend David Hood had set out on a popular walk with Labrador Goose across fields and public rights of way near Shaws Farm in Ripon. When they spotted a number of cows, they left the field through a hedge. But then they came across a lone cow and a calf which attacked their pet. When Janicke went to save her dog, she was knocked to the ground and trampled, forcing her and Mr Hood to escape by clambering up a tree.
York Magistrates’ Court heard she suffered broken ribs, hoof marks on her chest and legs, a broken thumb, and life-changing internal injuries requiring emergency surgery after the incident in July 2021. The farmer pleaded guilty to a health and safety breach as Janicke revealed she still suffered mobility issues.
She told proceedings: “I had the imprints of hoof marks, bruises, cuts, and grazes all over my body. I was convinced if I fell asleep, I would never wake up.
Janicke was airlifted to hospital (Janicke Tvedt / SWNS)
Some of the bruising suffered in the attack (Janicke Tvedt / SWNS)“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 people's lives to be at risk.
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“I want to ensure the emphasis of my 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."
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, HullLive reported. A sign warning the public of the cattle had been destroyed and not replaced.
She suffered injuries in the incident which still cause her problems today (Tom Maddick / SWNS)
The cows had attacked her pet dog, Goose (Tom Maddick / SWNS)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.
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.
"Cattle are extremely protective of their calves and even calm cattle can become aggressive if they think the calves may, in any way, be threatened, even by members of the public walking past. Where possible, farmers should avoid putting cattle, especially cows with calves, in fields where members of the public have a legal right to walk. Had Martin Falshaw followed this advice, or effectively segregated the cattle, this incident could have been prevented.”
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