title: Are cattle dangerous to walkers? A scoping review.
abstract: Anecdotal evidence suggests that people coming into contact with cattle while participating in outdoor pursuits can sustain severe, even fatal injuries. This has negative implications for farmers, cattle and the public. This study outlines findings from a review of published literature, UK media reports and internet guidelines currently available to the UK public for walking near cattle. A total of 54 cattle attacks were reported in the UK media from 1 January 1993 to 31 May 2013; approximately one-quarter resulted in fatality and two-thirds involved dogs. Walking with dogs among cows, particularly with calves present, was a problematic context. Twenty pieces of commonly occurring advice were found within various guidelines. However, there are no definitive approved guidelines, no published studies describing the prevalence of cattle attacks on members of the public and no system in place to document them. Attacks by cattle are underinvestigated and further work should assess their public health impact.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Cheshire, UK.
authors.forename: Angharad P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Fraser-Williams
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Cheshire, UK.
authors.forename: K Marie
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: McIntyre
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Cheshire, UK.|Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Cheshire, UK.|Institute for Risk and Uncertainty, University of Liverpool.
authors.forename: Carri
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Westgarth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004285:Dogs; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D016138:Walking; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control