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AIBU?

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Original poster

Putting a bull in a feild with a public footpath isnt very sportsperson like

163 replies

DyslexicScientist · 10/01/2016 16:30

I spend time planning a circular route so that my walks are interesting. 90% of the way through there is a feild with a bull, there is a sign up saying "caution bull in field", well thanks!

I'm going to try to do it but it is annoying. Its bad enough a field of cows who start to run towards you, that scares me shirtless.

If you don't hear from me again Sad

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 10/01/2016 16:33

Just walk another route and keep your shirt on.

Palomb · 10/01/2016 16:34

It'll be there with the purpose of stopping people walking though the field. I would imagine the farmer has had enough of people letting their dogs shit in the grass he's planning to use for hay, or dropping their litter, or letting their kids/dogs/drones terrorise ewes that are about to lamb.

LetThereBeCupcakes · 10/01/2016 16:35

I think it's illegal, actually. Unless the bull is under 10 months old or is with a herd of cows? I think.

Assuming you survive I think you can report to the council. Good luck!

LetThereBeCupcakes · 10/01/2016 16:36

OP presumably you're on a public footpath?

OurBlanche · 10/01/2016 16:36

Section 59 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 bans the keeping of bulls in fields crossed by a right of way, unless they are under the age of 10 months or not of a recognised dairy breed, provided they’re accompanied by cows or heifers (young female cows).

Of no use to you now, I do appreciate Smile

gleam · 10/01/2016 16:36

Well I don't know...you may well become a faster walker?

Sparklingbrook · 10/01/2016 16:36

If you do walk across it you could be very 'sportsperson like' indeed. Wink

Birdsgottafly · 10/01/2016 16:37

Is the Bull on its own, or with the Cows?

zzzzz · 10/01/2016 16:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WeShouldOpenABar · 10/01/2016 16:37

The bull has to be with a herd of cows or under 10 months but cows kill more people than bulls anyway

Birdsgottafly · 10/01/2016 16:39

X post with Blanche, I was about to post the laws on this.

Theres only been 2 deaths per year, by cattle, so not a huge risk.

I don't want our Countryside changing tbh.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 10/01/2016 16:40

Google it, depends on what breed the bull is, if it's dairy then no it's illegal if it's a beef bull needs to be with cows.

RudeElf · 10/01/2016 16:42

The bull has to be with a herd of cows or under 10 months but cows kill more people than bulls anyway

Would that not be simply down to numbers? There are more cows than bulls? And also people are less likely to go in a field with a bull so less opportunity for bulls to kill them?

theycallmemellojello · 10/01/2016 16:43

Yeah please report. It makes me cross when landowners try to obstruct rights of way.

Tirfarthoin · 10/01/2016 16:45

This springs to mind. Not much help though

Putting a bull in a feild with a public footpath isnt very sportsperson like
OurBlanche · 10/01/2016 16:47

But it isn't obstructed, mellojello!

It's just being used for the reason fields exist! Farming.

gamerchick · 10/01/2016 16:47

If you do walk across it you could be very 'sportsperson like' indeed

Properly laughing Grin could make a good reality show on increasing fitness.

WitchWay · 10/01/2016 16:49

Beef bulls can be in footpath fields with cows but dairy bulls can't.

Sparklingbrook · 10/01/2016 16:49

I would name it 'Beat the Bull' gamer and have Davina presenting. Bull votes people off at the end of each show.

ilovesooty · 10/01/2016 16:50

I expect the bull is a bit bored. Chasing the OP might give it some much needed stimulation.

Lurkedforever1 · 10/01/2016 16:52

Agree with palomb. Only a minuscule minority of farmers object to people using footpaths because they are twats. The majority are just sick of people ignoring basic rules and walking where they shouldn't. If you want to blame anyone, blame the hordes of morons who've likely driven him to it.

ZestyDragon · 10/01/2016 16:54

Actually this could be a sport in fact couldn't it? Could call it the bull run. Maybe the farmer and his pals have done this already and are secretly watching and taking bets?

WanderingNotLost · 10/01/2016 16:58

I wouldn't worry too much OP. Bulls will generally ignore a person walking calmly across its field as long as you stay well out of its way. Different story with dogs and horses obviously

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 10/01/2016 17:03

I used to work on a farm and we'd watched two walkers coming down the hill with their dog off a lead in our sheep field. Dog was scaring the sheep, not full on chasing but running up to them and back and repeating.

They came through the farm yard amd down the track on the other side which leads to a field. All public footpaths. Track was standard farm track width, with a steep bank one side and a stone wall the other. About half a mile long.

A minute after the walkers went down the track my boss decided he wanted to move the bullocks out the barn and into the field. He properly got them stampeding as they disappeared down the track in a cloud of dust.

He knew the walkers would have been fine, the bullocks were young and would have run round them but it must have been bloody scary!

JuanPotatoTwo · 10/01/2016 17:04

Do cows really kill people? I didn't know that. Accidentally by crushing them or do they actually attack?