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Cow Stampede Hospitalizes Dog Walker in Cornwall
19 Dec
Summary
- A 75-year-old dog walker was trampled by cows with calves.
- The victim suffered a severed artery and horn marks requiring surgery.
- The farmer was fined £5,260 for breaching health and safety laws.
A caravan holiday in Cornwall turned terrifying for 75-year-old Brian Gregory when he was trampled by a herd of cows on the South West Coast Path in June 2024. The incident occurred at Park Head while he was walking his dog, Molly. The cattle, which had young calves, chased his dog before trampling Mr. Gregory, leaving him with a severed artery and horn marks requiring extensive surgery and a five-day hospital stay.
Despite being informed of the attack on the same day, the farmer, Beverley Chapman, reportedly increased the herd size on the path. A month later, another pair of local residents and their dogs were attacked by the same herd, narrowly escaping serious injury. Mrs. Chapman only removed the cattle from the path four days after the second incident, when instructed by a council officer.
The Health and Safety Executive investigation found the cattle with calves were inappropriately housed. Mrs. Chapman pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety legislation and was fined £5,260 plus £4,650 in costs and a £2,000 surcharge at Bristol Magistrates' Court on December 16, 2025. An inspector noted her failure to act despite repeated warnings.
