Holidaymaker 'trampled by charging cows' in Devon

A holidaymaker was trampled by a herd of stampeding cows as she walked along the South West Coast Path in Devon with her dogs, a court has heard. The woman "thought she was going to die" as the angry beasts hoofed and butted her on the ground.

Her husband managed to frighten them away and drag her to safety, a court heard. She was bleeding heavily from a head wound and taken to hospital with bruising and swelling to her body.

Farmer Richard Dormor has gone on trial at Exeter Crown Court accused of breaching health and safety regulations by not protecting the public from the cows. They had recently calved and were prone to aggression and unpredictable behaviour, it is alleged.

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Dormor, of Southdown Farm, Seaton, denies failing to discharge a duty not expose the couple to a risk. The incident happened in May 2021.

Prosecutor Mr Alistair Haggerty said Sharon and Huw Williams were walking along the popular coastal path with their two spaniels on leads when they came to a narrow stretch and were "charged at by cattle".

"Mrs Williams was barged to the ground and trampled," said the prosecutor. "She sustained serious injuries. The prosecution say this incident was very much avoidable.

"Had this defendant taken the necessary measures to protect those using a public right of way then Mrs Williams would not have been injured."

The couple were staying at the Beer Head Caravan Park at the time, which is also run by the defendant, and were returning from a walk along the Jurassic Coast to nearby Branscombe when they entered a narrow 20-metre section of field.

They noticed a 40-strong herd of cattle in the field. Fifteen of the animals had calves. Some appeared restless and they were "led by a brown cow", said Mr Haggerty.

The couple followed the path between the animals. Some were lying down and there did not initially appear to be any issue. Mr Williams held the spaniels on a lead.

A brown cow then "suddenly charged" at Mr Williams, the court heard. He put his arms to make himself appear bigger and the animal stopped to snort and hoof the ground.

Mrs Williams was faced by a group of 10 cows and tried to do the same but they "charged at her knocking her to the ground," said the prosecutor. "They ran onto her, dragged her onto the ground and trampled her."

She curled into a ball and tried to stay silent but was "very scared as she saw hooves and heads pounding on her. She feared she would be killed."

Mr Williams grabbed her but was also charged and butted in the leg by an angry animal. Another couple of walkers then helped him scare the cows away and get his injured wife to safety.

The prosecution say guidance from the National Farmers Union and the Health and Safety Executive gives clear advice to famers about the dangers of grazing livestock in fields which have public access. The risk is increased when the normally placid animals have recently given birth.

It is alleged that a similar incident happened in 2014 when Dormor's cattle had charged and injured another woman. This should have been a warning, says the prosecution.

"The prosecution say the trampling of Mrs Williams was foreseeable," said Mr Haggerty. It is alleged Dormor promoted and "actively encouraged" the use of the path by dog walkers on the caravan park website.

"He had the option of grazing cows elsewhere until the calves were older but made the decision not to," said Mr Haggerty. "He didn't set out to harm people but he made the choice.

"Cows are powerful and deceptively quick animals. The injuries were serious but it could have been worse and potentially even fatal."

The main issue for trial will be whether the farmer did all that was "reasonably practicable" to mitigate the risk to members of the public.

Dormor, who is responsible for the management of the family farm, says he carried out a risk assessment on the animals before moving them into the field four days before. Signage on the gate also contained advice for walkers.

The jury will hear from a number of witnesses during the trial, which is due to last four days. They will include a cow behavioural expert.