**Dog Walker Narrowly Escapes Tragedy After Shocking Cow Attack in Wye Valley**
A dog walker from Gloucestershire has spoken out after enduring a violent and life-threatening attack by a cow while taking her pet along a popular route in the Wye Valley. Laura Vaughan, 51, had set out for a routine stroll with her cockapoo, Zayna, when she found herself the target of a furious Hereford cow, weighing approximately 80 stone, which charged, headbutted, and then trampled her in a shocking incident earlier this spring.
The terrifying episode, which occurred on 6 April, unfolded with no warning as Laura entered a large field, following a suggested path from a walking app. Although she’d noticed clusters of cows, she initially saw no calves and kept Zayna close on a short lead, a precaution she always observes around livestock. “I’m very lucky to be alive,” Laura remarked reflecting on the ordeal. “As the cow started running towards me, there was no time to escape. I let go of my dog, which probably saved her life, and then I remember being on the ground with the cow repeatedly kicking me.”
In the space of just half a minute, Laura suffered severe injuries. She described receiving a substantial gash to her leg—so deep it resembled a “Nike tick”—as well as two broken ribs, displaced from her spine, and a punctured lung. The physical pain was matched by a harrowing sense of helplessness as the cow continued its trampling.
Her ordeal might have ended far worse had it not been for the timely intervention of a good Samaritan. A group of walkers had seen the commotion from a distance and, at Laura’s desperate cries for help, one man bravely entered the field and distracted the animal, giving her a chance to escape. The group then helped Laura out of the field, administered first aid, and called emergency services.
Paramedics soon arrived and transported Laura to Hereford County Hospital, where she underwent treatment including X-rays and CT scans, and spent four days recovering from her injuries. Today, more than a month on, Laura continues to recuperate and is keen to share her experience to prevent similar incidents. “I’ve walked in the countryside for years and always taken care around livestock, but never imagined anything like this,” she said.
The incident highlights an issue facing rural walkers across the UK: navigating public rights of way through fields where livestock, especially those with young, may be present. Despite seeing what appeared to be a thin string barrier and an open gate, Laura believed she was simply following the designated public footpath as there were no warning signs about the animals or their calves. Unbeknownst to her, she had inadvertently come between the cow and its calf, a scenario which can provoke defensive and aggressive maternal behaviour in cattle.
In the aftermath, Laura admits she underestimated the potential danger. “I thought of cows as similar to sheep, but they are much larger and far more protective of their young,” she stated. She also stressed the importance of carrying basic safety precautions, stating, “I didn’t have a first aid kit with me. It’s now clear to me that everyone heading into the countryside should carry one, as well as a power bank for your phone, and ensure your location can be tracked.”
Laura’s story comes as a stark warning. Her advice to fellow walkers is unequivocal: avoid passing through fields with cows if possible—especially if calves are present—and always keep as much distance as possible from the animals. “If you really have to cross a field, keep a close eye out for calves and give the herd a wide berth,” she urged.
Authorities and countryside organisations routinely remind the public that cows can become unpredictable, particularly during calving season. They recommend always keeping dogs on short leads and, if feeling threatened, letting go of the dog so it can run free, minimising the likelihood of being attacked.
Laura continues to recover, but it will take time before she can return to her long countryside treks. Her ordeal offers a sobering reminder of the hidden dangers in the UK’s rural landscapes, and underscores the need for heightened awareness and caution—especially for those who regularly enjoy walking Britain’s footpaths through farmland.