Hands Off Hartlebury Common

#1418: Carol - Hi Tony

Hi Carol, below is a post and below that is my reply, hope it is of some use to you. Steve

'So as the works been OKayed by the secretary of state for the environment, it's completely legal for the cattle to be there. After all theres no way that they'd sign off on work without checking legalities first?
Notices have been up for ages and there are instructions what to do about dog walking.
I wont be taking my dog up there until I've sussed out the cattle's movements and seen where their daily routine takes them. Only really a worry if calves are involved, but not that keen on cattle to be honest.'

1/ Secretary of states authority. trumped up, no authority, just psuedo legislative changes to enable land and cash grab. Protesters at Odiham common have resisted this sort of pretend conservation since 1995.

2/ Eventually, cattle do realise that barking dogs retreat when they are approached, this is when they are likeley to chase.  A cow can run faster than a sprinter, if your dog is on a lead, take it off and give it the hardest kick you can. If it cowers behind your legs, you are as good as dead or very seriously injured. If you are in a wheelchair, you will not be able to control your dog, if you have a push chair the same. To say there is no risk is a lie, there is a risk and a risk that should not be there.

3/ Instructions for dog owners have never historically been given for commons. They exist, as it is written for the express use of dog owners primarily. You should not have to "Suss out" the cattles movements and routine.

4/ Cows will chase dogs irispective of whether they have calves or not.

My friend is a livestock farmer, he has been so all his life. He has 550 cattle, 400 sheep, 100 goats and 50 pigs, most of his stock are rare breeds. It was him that gave me the advise on preserving your own life in a field of cattle interested in your dog.

Having spent a lot of time on his farm with my dogs, I have seen first hand cattle charging a dog, a whole herd can suddenley turn and to see a lurcher running for its life is a sobering experience. Cattle do not have to have calves.

I think you are in favour of the scheme and your end note that you are not that keen on cattle is an attempt to appear reasoned. As I have said, these sort of posts will be deleted, so goodbye.