A PENSIONER is being treated for serious injuries after being trampled by a herd of cows.
The 81-year-old was taken to hospital after being trampled by the herd of angry cows and calves while walking his dog in the Scottish Borders at the weekend.
Rescue services were called to the field near Marchmont House in Greenlaw after a local caretaker noticed that the herd had turned on the man and his dog.
A local man, who did not want to be named, witnessed the incident and said that the cows were “adamantly” chasing the man.
He said: “It happened as the man walked down the avenue in front of Marchmont House with his dog amongst cows and calves.
“The caretaker there saw he was in difficulty and managed to drive in with his Land Rover and get him into the vehicle and out of the field.
“The cows were adamant they were wanting him and the dog. The dog was running about trying to get away from the cows when the caretaker was getting the man into the Land Rover.
“People don’t seem to realise the danger. Cows are big, strong, heavy animals and are very protective of their young, as any animal is. You want to avoid them at all costs.”
NFU Scotland’s regional manager Nancy Clancy said: “This is an unfortunate accident and all within the farming community wish this walker a speedy recovery.
“Unfortunately, this is not the first incident of this kind. Cattle can be placid but cows protecting young calves are much less tolerant of anything in their field they might perceive as a threat. Dogs, no matter how well behaved, are a particular target in this respect.”
Earlier this year an Edinburgh University lecturer was trampled to death by a herd of cows in Turleigh, near Bath.
Michael Porter, 66, was killed, and his brother John, 72, was seriously injured while walking their dogs.
