Farmers Fined After Man Killed by Herd of Cows

Two farmers have been fined for failing to protect members of the public from their cattle following an incident in which a man was killed by a herd of cows while out running with his two dogs.

The man, a father-of-three and former teacher, was crossing a public right of way over a field belonging to the farmers when he was surrounded by cows. He was knocked to the ground, and one of the cows then ran towards him, causing a fatal blow to his chest.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the farmers had failed to display signs of an alternative route to the right of way. They were prosecuted by the HSE, and pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

One of the farmers was fined £1,589 and the other £1,390. They were also ordered to pay costs of £1,500 each.