I really thought the cows would kill me

'FRENZIED' CATTLE ATTACK VICTIM TELLS OF TERROR AS SHE CAMPAIGNS FOR SAFER WALKING ROUTES

- AMY WALKER

A WALKER has spoken of the moment she was attacked by a herd of cows while out walking her dog.

Jill Gilmore, 57, and husband Mark were with pet Finnegan in Stockport when they climbed over a stile and walked along a public footpath in a field. Suddenly, a herd of between 20-30 cows charged at the couple, knocking Jill to the ground and butting Mark out of the way. Jill lost consciousness almost immediately as she was trampled under the herd." When the cows eventually moved away Mark was finally able to get to her and call the emergency services. She was rushed to hospital and found to have collapsed lungs, broken ribs, and pelvis and other serious injuries.

After three days of major surgery she was put into intensive care and placed onto a ventilator. Following the attack, Jill remained in hospital for three months and had to relearn how to walk. She is now campaigning to raise awareness of cattle attacks, and advocating for livestock to be fenced away from public rights of way.

Jill, who spoke about the immense support of her friends and family, told the M.E.N.: "In August 2021 we were having a walk along Middlewood Way.

People cycle and walk along it.

"We were just outside of Hazel Grove, near High Lane and were just off Middlewood Way, when we walked onto the field. I can't remember much after going over the stile." She said her husband had helped her piece together what happpened.

They were walking on the footpath along the field. Their dog was vey calm and on a short lead when suddenly the cows came towards them.

"They must have been hidden in a dip in the field as we hadn't seen them," she said. "They started to run towards me." Jill fell down after being butted, and was unable to get up.