Cow attack round up...

There I was relaxing, digesting a doner kebab, downing a cold bottle of Budvar and soaking up the BBC local news. Next thing you know a cow attack story comes on prime time TV! Well MW asked me to "fill in the gaps" while he enjoys a much deserved break, so I switched on the laptop and got busy on google.

Not a thing! All you get back for "cow attack BBC south" and similar searches are zillions of links back to this blog! The helpful chap on the BBC did point me in the direction if the National Farmers Union and the National Ramblers Association for useful 'elf n safety guidance on avoiding such unpleasantness.

Turns out the grasping b***ards at the NFU won't let you into the nitty gritty of their website until you join (and pay them). The NRA are slightly more helpful and, as well as providing legal guidance on when you can sue landowners in respect of cow attacks, seem to confirm Mr Wadsworths suspicions:

"It is difficult to prove that attacks by cattle are increasing, but anecdotal evidence suggests that this is the case."

Anecdotal evidence? Being anti-NIMBY types maybe they all subscribe to Mark Wadsworth?

"It appears that cattle from continental breeds are more temperamental than traditional British breeds, although this is again based on anecdotal evidence."

More anecdotal evidence? Google "German cow attack" and again, MW is top hit!

I still can't find the cow attack story I just saw in the news over at the BBC website. However, I did find this one from 28th July. "Cows that have grazed next to the Thames under a 200-year tradition are to be enclosed in a paddock at weekends and holidays because of safety fears. The National Trust, which controls Petersham Meadows in south-west London, decided on the move after a dog attacked cows in 2 May ...

...Mrs Jones, Lib Dem ward councillor for Ham, Peterham and Richmond Riverside, told the BBC the cows "deserve to graze at all times". She said: "The cows have been there for hundreds of years and they do not attack people.

Two hundred year old cows? Conviction politics from a Lib Dem? Still it's worth remembering, you are more likely to be killed by a cow than shark!