Forest cattle grew hostile ‘after being blocked from water’

A HERD of cows that wounded a walker and killed his dog at a New Forest beauty spot could have turned “unusually aggressive” after being denied access to drinking water, a commoner has claimed.

As reported in the A&T in July, the attack resulted in the man being rushed to hospital with serious injuries and the cows sent for slaughter because they could not be safely returned to the Forest.

Commoner Fiona Gover attended the latest Verderers’ Court to share details of a “very worrying incident” she witnessed of a group of activity centre staff and youngsters trying to scare away thirsty livestock so they could continue sailing model boats on a pond.

Ms Gover recalled how she was riding towards Ibsley when she noticed a small group of Dexter cows and calves running in the direction of a water-filled gravel pit which she said was “the only source of drinking water” locally.

She said: “Suddenly I heard a huge commotion, clapping and shouting – sufficient to startle my riding pony. When I came past the gorse that was obscuring my view of the gravel pit pond, I saw below me six or more adults lined up, clapping and actively preventing the cows from accessing the pond.”

Ms Gover said she shouted to the group, which included about 12 adults and 30 children, to allow the cattle to drink, before riding down to remonstrate. A man told her they only needed 20 minutes, stating: “We have done it before… They usually go and stand and wait until we have finished.”

According to Ms Gover, the man argued that the group of children were already sailing their plastic boats on the water before the cows arrived.

Ms Gover continued: “While we were talking the cows and calves filed down for a drink and the man reluctantly waded in and collected up the small boats.

“The children were lined up on the opposite side of the pond and at no time did the cows go near them or pose any threat to them.”

Ms Gover said that actively preventing the cows from accessing drinking water on a hot summer day could be described as “livestock worrying or animal abuse”.

She said: “The last two summers have been hot and dry – blocking access to water and driving animals away is guaranteed to provoke a hostile response at some point.

“Doubtless this could be a major contributory factor in the unusual behaviour displayed by cattle on Ibsley in the last two years which has resulted in two separate herds being removed and sent to slaughter.”

Calling for better signage with clear messages for visitors, Ms Gover said: “It is fundamental to the Forest that animals have right of way.

“Simply banning animals is not going to remedy this situation, and only postpone and possibly exacerbate the problem. Perhaps it is time to return to signage – and plenty of it – in order to save the Forest.”

After the meeting verderers clerk Sue Westwood told the A&T she had written a month ago to the organisation thought to be responsible asking them to be more “considerate”.

She said: “Cows can be unpredictable and denying them access to drinking water could certainly cause them to be even more unpredictable.

“At best the behaviour of this group was disrespectful to the livestock and at worst it as downright dangerous. Clearly, behaving in this way in the Forest is completely unacceptable and what is more it sets a terrible example to the children in their care.”