Woman injured by cows near Clegg Hall Road

Photo: Mark Dawson

Cows attack woman walking through fields near Clegg Hall

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A woman walking through a field of cows off Clegg Hall Road, Littleborough, near Rochdale Canal, known as The Bonk, was injured on Sunday morning when the cows started to stampede.

Local people have said the woman was "being attacked" by a group of large cows and if it wasn’t other people helping her she would have "suffered worse injuries".

It is understood that the cows have very young calves, and the cows were trying to protect them.

A police spokesperson said: “We were there in a supportive capacity whilst the woman in question received medical treatment.”

An ambulance spokesperson said: “We received a call to attend the incident on Sunday morning – we took a female patient in her 60s to Royal Preston Hospital by air ambulance with injuries to her arm.”

The British Mountaineering Council advise: If you find yourself in a field of suddenly wary cattle, move away as carefully and quietly as possible, and if you feel threatened by cattle then let go of your dog’s lead and let it run free rather than try to protect it and endanger yourself. The dog will outrun the cows and it will also outrun you.

Those without canine companions should follow similar advice: move away calmly, do not panic and make no sudden noises. Chances are the cows will leave you alone once they establish that you pose no threat.

If you walk through a field of cows and there happen to be calves, think twice; if you can, go another way and avoid crossing fields.