The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture is urging the public to be careful around cattle when walking in the countryside. 

Every year, people are injured or killed by aggressive cattle. 

This is especially true during periods of calving which in spring and summer coincide with increased rambling through the countryside.

Experienced farmers, as well as members of the public have been victims, with the number of incidents rising over the past five years, both in the UK and on the Island.

The public are being asked not to underestimate the risk.

A spokesperson for the Department said, "if anyone plans to go walking in the countryside, and especially if they have a dog or young children with them, I would urge them to make sure they do so safely."

The two most common factors in incidents are walkers with dogs, and cows with calves at foot. Mothering protective instincts are particularly strong in cattle, and their response can be naturally aggressive: to what they see as a real threat to their calves.

The Department has issued the following basic advice to walkers:

• Plan your route to avoid cattle, and especially those with calves.
• Find another way around the field.
• Keep to the edge of the field and plan an escape route.
• If threatened, do not run.
• Small children can be mistaken as a threat by cattle, so be especially careful.

Walkers with dogs are urged to take extra care:

• Keep your dog under control on a short lead.
• If chased or threatened by cattle it is safer to let your dog off the lead.  Dogs generally can outrun cattle, giving you the chance to escape.
• Don’t risk injury by trying to protect your dog.  If in doubt don’t enter pastures with cattle present.