... to avoid walking in countryside because I'm scared of cows and dogs?

[LilacWine7]

(NC to protect identity as this is embarrassing!)

I have a fear of dogs, I'm fine with them on leads but i hate it when people let them off leads. In fields and woods they seem to run at me out of nowhere, sometimes on narrow path, and owners look bewildered if i ask them to control their dogs. I just don't like being jumped, sniffed at or approached esp if dog is big. AIBU to shout 'please control your dog' when one comes at me? Owners seem to take offence.
Recently I was walking in fells with friend and we stopped outside farm at dusk to check map (standing in a lane) when 3 sheepdogs raced out of farm gates and surrounded us, barking and snarling with teeth bared and hackles raised. We were terrified! We shouted for help but no-one came so we sidled along fence until we got away from farm and dogs didn't follow us after a certain point (this was after about 10 mins standing still as to move in any direction we had to make dogs move out of way). I kept thinking they were going to attack us. My friend was scared too and she's normally good with dogs.

I'm also scared of cows or entering any field of cattle in case they charge or in case there's a bull hidden amongst them. If I see cows i won't go in and if I don't see cows I keep next to fence ready to climb over if I see one. When I was a child I remember getting cornered by bullocks and having a panic attack. My dad (who used to work on a farm) says carry a big stick and wave it at them if they approach, or hit them with it if they get aggressive. He says the same works with dogs.

I haven't walked on farmland since last year, when I fell out with DH because I wouldn't cross a field with cattle and made him walk back the same way. We used to walk in fells instead (no cows) but now I'm scared of another incident with farm-dogs! He thinks I'm 'being ridiculous' and says cows and dogs are harmless. What do you think... AIBU? How do I get over this fear?

I am scared of cows. I will make a detour or cut a walk short and yes there is a danger walking through fields of cattle so our fears aren't unfounded.
I have a dog and would never let it bound up to people. I also hate dogs that are not kept under control and have had the odd cross word. Generally people will always put the lead on their dog and not be offended. I think the ones that act smart or are rude cannot actually recall their dog and are embarassed so pretend they don't want to put the dog on a lead.

embarrassed

Well I wouldn't walk in a field with cows anyway, they're nasty buggers when they get one on 'em.

Dogs I'm not so sure about, I wouldn't let them put me off a walk in the country, a dog person will tell you what to do and will be along in no time.

"...cows and dogs are harmless..."

idiotic thing to say. There are scores of people killed by dogs and cows over the years in the UK. Bear in mind a full-grown cow is over a tonne of mass. If nothing else it could crush you against a wall, or trample you to death (the most common way to go).

I'm not scared of either animal, but I would certainly respect them.

Why would you get into a field with cattle in it?

And the dogs were defending their owner's property (the farm) and barking to drive you out. It's actually their job, they are not nice little useless lapdogs...

Otherwise, yes, YANBU in the city or city parks, dogs should be kept in check, and only let out of the lead if they are disciplined enough not to jump of crowd people.

I'm half with you

I hate cows, I think they are dangerous and I won't cross fields that have them in, even without the dog. I avoid walks that cross grazing land or look like they might (much to DH's scorn).

I think you were very unlucky with the farm dogs. I've been barked at, but never cornered. Fwiw I think you did the right thing, walking calmly (on the outside at least!) away until you were off what they considered their territory.
Waving your arms or a stick at dogs isn't good advice - it's likely to wind up a dog that's guarding its territory and make it more likely to attack. Best to walk slowly but assertively and keep your eye on it without making direct eye contact.
Can't speak for the sticks with cows thing. My Dad told me that too, from direct experience, plus holding your arms wide and shooing it away confidently, but imo they're too big to fuck about with.

If a dog bounds up to you cross your arms and half turn away. Shouting will just be interaction to a dog that thinks it's playing and unlikely to stop the behaviour.

No YANBU. Your dads advice is the best. Sticks and stones too. I would get my dog well under control if someone was scared and I don't allow him to bound up to people ever. He will bark and he will raise his fur when strays come up our drive. He is a big soft lab but he's still a dog, I don't know what he might/will do in any given situation.

I'm wary of cows (we have them). People like my mother say they're fine. She's deluded.

Cows can be frightening. I walked through a field of cattle once, they all started following me. They followed me quite slowly at first, but then they started running! I legged it and jumped over the gate!
I have also seen a program once (about the first hour after an accident being critical) in which a farmer had been crushed by a cow. His liver was split open. He survived but it could easily have been fatal.
So you're not unreasonable to be wary of cows!

I know where you are coming from, as I get a bit nervous around dogs when I'm out walking. I've been known to climb a fence if I see someone approaching who is letting their dog run loose. Mostly though, you can sensibly just stand still. I put my hands in my pockets, so there is nothing for them to bite!

As for cows - young ones do like to run and chase, they can 'gang up' and be quite threatening. I'd keep out of a field with a gang of young bullocks. Older ones are just curious I think. It's true that if you face them with your hands in the air and shout at them to go away, they usually do. (there are cows close to us that push against our fence - there's nothing like a territorial rage to make it easy to chase cows and not feel threatened).

I went hill walking near Hadrian's Wall when I visited several years ago. Rick Steves' guidebook had recommended hill walking, so I wanted to try it. He did NOT say anything about sheep poo. I spent the whole time trying not to step in any. I wouldn't want to walk in a field with cows, either, because I think I'd have a similar problem. I'll take my walks on relatively poo-free city sidewalks instead, thank you.

Oh, and DH picked a stinging nettle because I said I thought it looked like it might be wild mint. I did NOT, for the record, ask him to pick it or touch it. I'm not entirely sure what the appeal of walking in the country is for some folks.

I hate dogs, and it really annoys me when people let their dogs run round off a lead. I don't care if dogs are "just being friendly" when they come and sniff me, or jump up at me, or run round me. People should have more consideration.

People should be able to control their dog with a call but they should also be able to let their dogs off the lead (obv. not near sheep etc.). That's the appeal of country walks for many dogs and dog owners.

You're not the poster whose nieces chased sheep are you? I don't think I could stand it. However if you are genuine then NEVER walk through a field of cows for your own safety.

I too am scared of cows and have cut walks short to avoid them. There are plenty of public footpaths that cross fields that have cows in them so they can be hard to avoid and walkers have been killed by cows.

There is advice on how to reduce the risk, but sometimes, I don't want to take the chance.

Cows can be dangerous, they're not always as slow and docile as they look. But they're easily avoided.

I don't like some loose dogs either as they can be uncontrollable. I was once bitten by a dog on a walk in a completely unprovoked attack. Luckily it was only a minor bite and the owner was mortified and very apologetic, but it was quite upsetting.

I can understand why dog owners look bemused when you shout for them to put their (under control) dog under control. How about shouting that you're nervous of dogs and would they mind putting their dog on a lead?

Cows with calves? I don't blame you for being scared of them, they're dangerous. A field of young ones won't be dangerous though.

YANBU.

I hate cows and dogs (especially cows, in fact I'd go as far to say I'm phobic). Unfortunately I love the countryside. I just try and avoid them. Dogs are generally ok out on the fells, it's the ones in the parks you need to be wary of. Cows - well, I've been known to reroute an entire walk if I have to cross a field of them.

Here we go again...

Just remember that animals have every right to be on this earth and to behave in whatever way their species demands. Dogs bark, some dogs will nip, others won't. Cows are herd animals use to being herded around. Just sound like a farmer and pretend you are herding them if they get too close. Dogs and cows are domesticated. The countryside has wild stuff too you know...

But actually YANBU stay away from the countryside unless you can get to grips with it.

There's the Naked Rambler for starters.

I do find it weird though that people hate animals and love the countryside.

Yep. Stay in the city. Much safer.