Friday 2 September 2011

"Dog walker Marilyn Duffy killed by cows in Cardiff"

From the BBC:

Marilyn Duffy, 61, died after she was injured walking her dog in a field off Pant Tawel Lane in Radyr, Cardiff.

Former Farmers' Union of Wales vice president Brian Jones said dog owners should let go of their lead rather than shield their pets during a confrontation with livestock... "If we go out in a field and a cow has calved, the first thing we do is get the dog out of the way because the dog will put you between them and animal and that is fatal," said Mr Jones.

A dairy farmer from Caersws in Powys, Mr Jones explained that traditional breeds - Herefords, Aberdeen Angus, British Friesians - were usually docile but the more varied continental breeds* have different temperaments. He said cattle can also become upset in warm weather. If there is any fear at all, let the dog go because cattle will be going for the dog," said Mr Jones.

On Thursday, the Cardiff coroner adjourned an inquest into the death of Ms Duffy, from the Radyr area, until a future date. South Wales Police confirmed that she died in a field close to Radyr Golf Course on Monday at about 17:30 BST.

The field is frequented by walkers and dog walkers, with dozens of people said to use it on a daily basis. There were signs warning people of the dangers of allowing their dogs to run free, although local people said they had been vandalised. Just over two years ago another woman, aged 63, died after being trampled by cows while walking her dog in another field in nearby St Fagans.


The linked Emma Gregory video is worth a watch.

* Cattle racism! There's a first! Although apparently the EU imposed some crazy rules way back when saying that meat from our cattle was too fatty and that European breeds were healthier, problem was they weren't fatty enough, so they had to be overfed, which led to yet more problems etc.

3 comments:

View from the Solent said...

"..the more varied continental breeds* have different temperaments*"

Isn't that miscegenist?

Sean said...

All you need is the right dog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQNJJtPkc3E&NR=1

dearieme said...

I grew up in the country. You know to be careful with cattle and that you must be prepared to leap over a hedge (though I have only had to do that once). Look: they are big buggers, not cuddly fucking toys. Have some sense.