Man injured in dog-provoked cow attack

A few days back, a couple and their two unleashed dogs were walking through a field on the Stalden Alp in the direction of the Niesen mountain, when a cow became aggressive and attacked their dogs. The cow turned on the couple, throwing the man to the ground and trampling him. It is thought the cow reacted violently to the dogs due to her instinct to protect her calf and her herd. Cows with young calves are known to fight dogs. The man was gravely injured and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. At a time when the cows are slowly starting to return to lower pastures, the agricultural department’s section for accident prevention strongly advises dog owners to keep their dogs on a leash when going through cow fields.

If calves are present, it is advised not to take a dog through the field at all. Cows are heavy and while it may not seems so, they can easily outrun the average person. In the event of an attack, let go of your dog. Keep to the walking paths; keep aat least 20 meters from the cows; don’t frighten them and avoid looking directly into their eyes; leave the animals alone and don’t touch them, especially the calves; watch for threatening signs such as head lowering, growling and roaring; stay quiet and don’t turn your back on approaching animals; and do not wave a stick. Last resort if you get attacked: aim a well-placed strike to the cow’s nose.