Yes it’s true…Cows kill more people than sharks annually. Cows have the potential to injure or kill individuals through trampling or charging. In the United States alone it is estimated that between 20 and 22 fatalities occur annually due to incidents involving cows. The majority of these fatalities take place in agricultural settings. In the United Kingdom, cattle account for one or two fatalities annually among those utilizing public rights of way. On average, approximately 10 individuals lose their lives to shark attacks each year. Nevertheless, the annual fatalities fluctuate from year to year but still never come close to fatalities caused by cows. Here are some examples of cow related deaths….  

(These examples exclude bulls and bullfighter fatalities)

In 2013, Joao Maria de Souza, a 45-year-old resident of southeastern Brazil, was peacefully asleep in his bed when a large cow unexpectedly crashed through his roof, landing directly on him and resulting in severe injuries. The one-tonne animal had been grazing on a hill behind Souza's modest home in Caratinga when it wandered onto the asbestos-laden roof, which ultimately could not support its weight. At the time of the incident, Souza's wife was lying beside him and narrowly avoided being struck, as the cow fell heavily onto her husband. Tragically, Souza succumbed to internal bleeding the following day in the hospital. Prior to his passing, Souza was alert and seemed to be recovering; however, family members indicated that he experienced a prolonged wait before receiving medical attention. Local news reports indicate that this incident marks the third occurrence of a cow falling through a roof in the area over the past three years, with no injuries reported in the previous two cases. In the first incident, the house was unoccupied when the cow fell, while in the second, a baby and a small child were sleeping nearby but miraculously escaped harm. Caratinga is situated in a hilly region of Minas Gerais, a Brazilian state renowned for its cattle ranching and dairy production.

Falling Cow

In 2016, Marian Clode, a 61-year-old resident of Darry in Northern Ireland, tragically lost her life due to an uncontrolled cow while walking with her family in the Northumberland countryside during the Easter Break from her teaching position. The cow charged at her with alarming speed, striking her three times and resulting in severe spinal cord injuries. Unfortunately, Clode succumbed to her injuries in the hospital several days later. The cow was part of a herd that was permitted to roam freely along a public bridleway. Farmer Alistair Nixon, aged 62, acknowledged in court that he had failed to ensure the safety of individuals outside of his employment by exposing them to potential dangers from the cattle. Positioned on a quad bike at the beginning of the bridleway, Nixon attempted to prevent some cattle from advancing down the path prematurely using a stick. However, a group of seven or eight cows, along with five or six calves, managed to bypass him and proceeded along the bridleway, disappearing over a hill. Clode and her family, who were staying in holiday cottages on the farm and had ventured out for a walk, were approaching the cattle from the opposite direction. While other family members successfully escaped by jumping over a barbed wire fence, Clode was attacked by a cow that suddenly turned towards her as she stood near a wooden gate. As a result of these events, Nixon was fined over £100,000.

Northumberland Cow Attack 

In 2020, Michael Holmes, aged 57, and his wife Teresa were enjoying a midday walk with their daughter's dogs at Hollinghurst Farm in Netherton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, when they were assaulted by a herd of cows on a public footpath. The couple, who worked from home during the pandemic, frequently traversed this route during their lunch breaks. The dogs managed to escape the chaos. A neighbor nearby alerted the authorities, but unfortunately, it was too late for Michael, who was declared dead at the scene due to 35 rib fractures and a lacerated heart. Teresa was airlifted to a hospital, where she underwent six months of recovery for her injuries. Tragically, she will never regain the ability to walk, as her spinal cord was severely damaged in the incident. In a victim personal statement, Teresa said: 

“Having to cope with two traumas has been very difficult—losing Michael and suffering life-changing injuries. I sustained a spinal cord injury that left me paralyzed from the waist down. I now have to use a wheelchair. This has transformed my life beyond anything I could ever imagine. The course of my life, and my late husband’s, has been thrown into great turmoil as a result of the farmer’s negligence.”

The couple had been married for 35 years. Farmer Martin Mitchell acknowledged in court that he violated the Health & Safety at Work Act and received a suspended six-month prison sentence after prosecutors indicated that he had not adequately separated cows with calves from the public footpath.

Cow Attack on Dog Walkers

An elderly man met a tragic fate in India when he was fatally struck by a cow that had been propelled 30 meters into the air after colliding with a freight train. Shivdayal Sharma, aged 82, was urinating near the train tracks in Alwar, India, when the incident took place. It is believed that the cow was struck by the Vande Bharat express train before it fell onto Mr. Sharma. Another individual nearby narrowly avoided being hit by the airborne carcass. Mr. Sharma had served as an electrician with Indian Railways prior to his retirement 23 years ago, as reported by India Today. The report indicates that a portion of the cow's remains landed on the elderly man, resulting in his immediate death. In response to this incident, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the initiation of measures such as the removal of garbage and vegetation to deter cows from the area, along with the implementation of "frequent whistling at locations prone to cattle/animal runover." The unfortunate death of Mr. Sharma has led many officials to advocate for enhanced regulations along the train route, which frequently experiences incidents involving cows on the tracks. To mitigate such accidents, the Western Railway has constructed metal fencing along the 620 km Mumbai-Ahmedabad trunk route.

Death by Flying Cow

In 2017, 72-year-old William Parris was trying to relocate one of his cows when the animal became agitated and forcefully shoved him against a fence, resulting in a crushing injury to his chest. He was quickly transported to the hospital; however, he was declared deceased upon arrival at the emergency room due to the extensive trauma inflicted by the incident.

Cow Crush

Refrain from abrupt movements or producing loud sounds. Always formulate an exit strategy. Exercise caution to avoid being trapped between an immobile object and the cow. Do not turn your back on a bull or flee, as this may provoke them to pursue you. Utilizing a sorting stick or cattle flag can enhance your perceived size. Observe their body language for indications of aggression.

Signs of Aggression

• Pawing at the ground, often throwing up dirt

• Rubbing head or horns on the ground

• Snorting

• Ears pinned back

• Lowered head and hunched back shoulders

• Turning broadside to show their power and size

Angry Cow Triggers

Stress can arise from various factors such as adverse weather conditions, physical discomfort, or feelings of fear. When handlers position themselves between a calf and its mother, it can create a perilous situation.

It is imperative to avoid running away from a cow or bull, as this can heighten their sense of being cornered, leading to increased stress.

While most cows tend to evade confrontation, those that feel trapped may respond aggressively. Interfering with a cow's access to food can trigger territorial behavior.

Additionally, approaching a cow from its blind spot is risky, as cows have a blind area of approximately 60° directly behind them.

Inadequate handling or insufficient human interaction can result in temperamental behavior among cattle.

Purchasing cattle from reputable ranchers is advisable, as it often results in a more tranquil and manageable herd. The breeding season can also induce hormonal fluctuations that may lead to aggressive behavior in both bulls and cows.

Furthermore, untrained dogs in proximity to cattle can provoke more aggressive responses. The presence of a nervous cow can influence the behavior of others, causing them to become anxious as well.

While it is sometimes necessary to enter a cow's flight zone, it is best to minimize close contact whenever possible to reduce stress levels.