In the past 2 weeks, two people that I know were attacked by cows in separate incidents and I narrowly missed being trampled in a stampede.
Our treasurer in the Solihull Photo Soc was trampled by one particular cow while walking his dog near Solihull. Apparently it continually stamped on him before walking off. His dog was unharmed but he suffered multiple fractured ribs and much abdominal bruising. He was evacuated by air ambulance.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/dog-walker-trampled-herd-cows-9247772.
The 7-year old son of a work colleague was attacked in a field in Derbyshire last week while walking with his father & grandmother. No dog was involved. This particular cow threw the grandmother into a bush then pinned down the boy with its head while trying to repeatedly stamp on him. The steep slope it was on prevented it from stamping properly. His father fought this cow for several minutes before actually getting underneath the cow & lifting its front legs while somebody grabbed the boy. The boy was unconscious but made a full recovery.
While on the Red Rose 100 last weekend, I was walking through a field by a river. I passed 5 or so peaceful calves then saw a herd of cows milling excitedly at the end of the track which I was walking. There were people with them & I thought the farmer was moving them. Then suddenly the whole herd was running full tilt down the track towards me. Luckily there was a large tree close by and I sheltered behind this while the cows stampeded past me on both sides. Had there been no tree I think there would have been a different outcome. The figures ahead weren't the farmer but Red Rose supporters who had also been surprised by the cows. They said that somebody on the hill had panicked the cows which ran down towards them before veering off towards me. At the next CP I got a message sent to event HQ to highlight the potential problem.
Take care. Cows can be VERY dangerous.