16/11/2010 01:54 PM
A re-examination of legislation allowing bulls in fields with public footpaths, which could include the adoption of security fencing, has been called for by the UK's leading walking charity, Ramblers, following the tragic bull attack on two walkers last Friday (November 12th).
A man died and his wife was seriously injured in the attack in Nottinghamshire. She is still critically ill in hospital.
While solitary bulls, and bulls of certain breeds, are already banned from being allowed in fields that have public footpaths, new breeds of bulls and changed livestock temperament means now may be the time to look again at legislation, Ramblers said.
"We have worked closely with the National Farmers Union over cattle management issues and hope to continue to do so but we remain concerned that bulls are allowed in fields with public footpaths when there seems to be no guarantee that supposedly 'safe' breeds are actually safe," Rachel Alcock, Ramblers' campaigns officer, said.
The charity also advised the public to tread carefully and quietly near livestock when out walking.
It is not clear why the bull attacked the couple.
A man died and his wife was seriously injured in the attack in Nottinghamshire. She is still critically ill in hospital.
While solitary bulls, and bulls of certain breeds, are already banned from being allowed in fields that have public footpaths, new breeds of bulls and changed livestock temperament means now may be the time to look again at legislation, Ramblers said.
"We have worked closely with the National Farmers Union over cattle management issues and hope to continue to do so but we remain concerned that bulls are allowed in fields with public footpaths when there seems to be no guarantee that supposedly 'safe' breeds are actually safe," Rachel Alcock, Ramblers' campaigns officer, said.
The charity also advised the public to tread carefully and quietly near livestock when out walking.
It is not clear why the bull attacked the couple.
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