sister attacked by cow

copperhead46 · #1 03/02/09, 10:15 AM

I want to post this to remind us all that we can't trust animals, just because we feed and take care of them everyday. My sister and her husband were feeding last nite when a new momma evidently saw my sister getting to close to her baby. My sister had on a "hoodie" and didn't pay any attention to the cow or calf, she was rolling out hay. The cow hit her in the side of the head and knocked her down, then proceeded to stomp her for several minutes until my BIL was able to get to her. The cow was relentless in her attack and my BIL had to knock the cow off of her. She was taken to the emercency room and has a fractured cheek bone, fractured jaw and where she got hit in the face her top teeth went through her bottom lip. She has 7 or 8 stiches inside and outside of her mouth. Please don't jump in and say how she should have been watching or in some way blame her!!!! This cow has never been aggresive and they didn't even know she had a baby.
We all get complacent about our animals and forget that they are still unpredictable in any given situation. I'd be gratefull if any of you could send up a prayer for her speedy recovery, her name is Darla.
P.J.

bgraham · #2 03/02/09, 10:23 AM

Oh my goodness! I hope your sister is OK!

Janis Sauncy · #3 03/02/09, 10:28 AM

I don't have cows but I'm sure we can all appreciate this reminder.

There's a gal who lives on the same highway I do but she is much closer to "town" and I pass her place frequently.

She has a number of horses in a small area with terrible fencing (I, myself, have gotten her horses - on two separate occasions - off the highway and back into the pasture when she hasn't been home).

As part of her set-up, her horses spend at least half their time in her cyclone-fenced yard. I mean, we're talking they have access to her front porch!

One day, as I drove by, I saw a very little girl (no more than four or five) running around in the muddy yard, in among this group of horses (six or seven?). She was playing with a ball.

I'm sure that woman thinks those horses are all trustworthy and "bomb-proof," but that sight almost gave me a heart attack. I've had horses, some that would be considered "bomb-proof," but I would never have allowed my kids (or anyone else's) to play among my horses like that.

I believe all animals are capable of unpredictable behavior and it only takes a split second for something to go wrong.

I didn't do it, but I've always thought I probably should have called CPS. If I ever see it again, I will.

Anyway, thanks again for the reminder.

Janis

Dutchie · #4 03/02/09, 10:45 AM

OMG PJ ..... hope she'll be ok soon!!

farmmom · #5 03/02/09, 11:13 AM

Prayers going up for a speedy recovery. I don't own cows, but have worked with them, and they can be unpredictable.

Madame · #6 03/02/09, 11:28 AM

Prayers said. May God speed her healing.

francismilker · #7 03/02/09, 11:32 AM

Well said, PJ! I agree completely. They may be pets but they are still animals and along with being animals come "animal instinct" This is a good reminder for all of us especially with the attack coming from a cow and not a bull. We often hear about how we shouldn't ever trust a dairy bull but seldom do we hear about a cow doing any damage.
Hope your loved one gets better soon.

beccachow · #8 03/02/09, 11:50 AM

I am so sorry she had to endure that. Cows are amazingly fast and brutal when their calves are "threatened." I have had to make a few journeys into the cow pasture next door and learned a healthy respect for momma cows. I hope she is on the mend quickly.

ETA: Heart attack about child playing in with horses, especially with a ball! Even the most trustworthy horse can come unglued when faced with something they don't understand. Mine go ballistic with kites. My bratling is 3 1/2 and is not allowed in the horse field, EVER, unless she is glued to my side. Why take a chance?!

randiliana · #9 03/02/09, 12:06 PM

My thoughts are with you as well. It is a very good reminder, just sad that it has to happen to someone before we really think about it. Hope she heals up fast.

copperhead46 · #10 03/02/09, 02:51 PM

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. I went over to see how she was this morning and it just breaks my heart. Her face is so swollen and she is too sore to touch anywhere on her upper body. A lot of her lower teeth are loose, but still in, so I think they will tighten up. I fixed her some soup and mashed up some noodles and she was able to eat about a fourth of a cup. I took her some ensure too, and told her husband to make sure she gets some of that in her today.
We all have to remember that a cow is a "fight or flight" animal and when they percieve danger to the calf then it's all fight.
Thank you again for the healing prayers being sent up for her...........
P.J.

Dodgegal79 · #11 03/02/09, 02:59 PM

She's lucky to be alive. I was attacked by a holstien once, she was just mean, when I was milking. Wasn't hurt too bad, just bruised up alot. Now I work in a leghorn barn and even with chickens you have to be aware, they will attack you.

Kelly · #12 03/02/09, 03:19 PM

Prayers go out to your sister.

I'm glad that you posted as it'll be a good reminder for others to be extra careful around cows. They are very gentle by nature, but things do happen (especially with those who just gave birth and those in heat).

Ken Scharabok · #13 03/02/09, 04:55 PM

My normally docile Angus bull got me about a week ago. Put me down and rolled me once before backing off to where I could get through a gate. He is now hanging in a meat locker somewhere.

agmantoo · #14 03/02/09, 05:23 PM

Ken Scharabok
I have a young bull that will get the wheels under him the next time I send a load of feeder calves to the sale. I am the sole operator on my place and I band and ear tag every calf born. I do this alone in the pasture often on the back forty. I expect the cow to stand at arms length and observe. Over the past half dozen years if this has not been the manner in which the cow behaves I sent momma and calf to the sale when the calf reached market weight. In so doing I have about eliminated any aggressiveness of the cows toward a human. I still remain careful and I carry a stun gun on the four wheeler. I have never used the stun gun so I do not know how effective it may be. I my working corral I have taken various precautions for the person working the animals. At the corral is where I have seen the most danger particularly with a human in a pen with an animal.

DaleK · #15 03/02/09, 05:26 PM

There's something to be said for keeping a good heavy stick with you or close by all the time. I have something I can reach within 25-30' everywhere in the barns, might not always be able to get to it but there've been a couple of times when the only reason I didn't get hurt a lot worse was because I was able to reach something hard and put a cow on her knees.

sammyd · #16 03/02/09, 06:59 PM

I broke a sledgehammer handle across ones head just before it rammed my mother into the ground and broke 2 or 3 ribs.
Big sticks are about worthless with a hardheaded cow.
One reason I will never have horns on any cow I own.

commonsense · #17 03/02/09, 07:53 PM

Wow, so sorry to hear that your sister was injured so badly.

Prayers going out for her speedy recovery!

I have a healthy respect for my cow. When she gets wound up, she really looks like she would be willing to charge. I have been working hard with her to get her to understand that I set the rules, but I still make sure I don't get cornered and that I have something at hand to enforce my rules if need be.

This is a very good reminder; thank you for posting.

ksfarmer · #18 03/02/09, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by commonsense

Wow, so sorry to hear that your sister was injured so badly.

Prayers going out for her speedy recovery!

I have a healthy respect for my cow. When she gets wound up, she really looks like she would be willing to charge. I have been working hard with her to get her to understand that I set the rules, but I still make sure I don't get cornered and that I have something at hand to enforce my rules if need be.

This is a very good reminder; thank you for posting.

Unless you are physically bigger than your cow, you will lose any hand to hand combat you enter into with her.

cathleenc · #19 03/02/09, 08:46 PM

I am so sorry about your sister - how scary! I hope she heals well, both physically and emotionally. I am sure that was absolutely terrifying.

farmergirl · #20 03/02/09, 08:50 PM

How scary for your sister and her DH who had to intervene. A couple of years ago, one of our nearest neighbors, who was raised on the ranch and handled cattle all her life, was killed by two bulls who were fighting. It was a sad, sad day for all of us.
I just last week had the vet out to completely remove our jersey cow's horns...just too risky to have a horned cow on the place.