As a born-and-raised Texan, I’m well aware that the normally docile cow can be dangerous. While it may seem silly, I grew up in a state where crossing fence lines could put you in real danger of aggressive steers — and their gun-toting owners.
But a recent death in the Austrian Alps reminds me that angry cows can cause plenty of damage on their own. An elderly couple were hiking through the East Tyrol region on Sunday when they were attacked by a “double-digit” herd of belligerent bovines, according to Kronen Zeitung, Austria’s biggest newspaper. The 67-year-old woman died on scene, and her 65-year-old husband was hospitalized with serious injuries.
Such attacks are rare, but not unheard of. Similar deaths have occurred in 2025 and 2024. It’s perhaps not too surprising, given that Austria’s popular mountain hiking trails are often shared with freely grazing cattle.
In fact, the Alps are well known for its aggressive, horned sows. Earlier this month, the Valais region of Switzerland held its annual “clash of cow queens.” The event draws thousands of spectators to watch the animals express their natural urge for dominance, culminating in a final that establishes the “queen of queens.”
GearJunkie Editorial Director Sean McCoy recalled his own encounter with the angry sows while hiking in Austria a few years ago: “We had one going hog wild running up and down a meadow that we had to cross. It was spraying milk while kicking its legs up in the air and sprinting like a dog … and the fences don’t instill a lot of confidence.”
Cows: More Dangerous Than You Think
When it comes to hiking in the Great Outdoors, American hikers are usually more worried about bears.
That’s understandable to some degree. Bear canisters are often necessary to prevent bears from stealing our backpacking meals. Moreover, backcountry trails in national and state parks are often more prone to hungry bears than bovine sows. And let’s be honest: For most of us, getting mauled to death by a bear is more terrifying than a swift hoof to the head.
Yet the reality — as is so often the case — differs quite a bit from our fears. In the U.S., only a small handful of people die each year from bear attacks. Deaths from other scary predators, like wolves and sharks, are even rarer.
But cows? Thanks to our propensity for beef, they’re the third-most populous mammal on earth (after humans and rats). Combine this ubiquitousness with their huge size, and you’ve got a recipe for frequent conflicts. Many of these occur among agricultural workers, of course — but not all.
In the U.S. alone, 1,610 people died from “animal-related fatalities” between 2008 and 2015, according to a research paper published in 2024. The majority of those were caused by cattle and horses. Surprisingly, of the roughly 22 deaths from cattle each year, only 10 actually involved bulls. In many other cases, “multiple cows were involved in the attack, usually when walkers, joggers, or cyclists had entered pastures,” wrote Roger Byard, a researcher at The University of Adelaide.
When it comes to outdoor recreation in the U.S., cyclists may encounter cows more frequently than hikers. In February, a volunteer working on a Colorado mountain bike trail was severely injured by an “enraged cow.” Though he survived, his neck and back were broken, along with a collapsed lung. He’s still undergoing therapy to regain mobility, Grand Junction’s The Daily Sentinel reported last month.
Cow Face-Off: What to Do
In nearly any state in the U.S., many public trails and paths will cross or abut ranches and farmland. If you find yourself in close proximity to one or more bovines, remember the following tips:
- Give a Wide Berth: Don’t hike or ride through a herd of cattle. If necessary, simply wait for them to continue on their way. And never get between a mama cow and her calf.
- Try to Avoid Startling Them: Slow down when nearing livestock of any kind — especially if you’re coming from behind. You can also speak in a calm voice to make them aware of your presence.
- Know When to Dismount: Your personal best time or FKT should come second to your safety. If you’re a cyclist facing off with a cow blocking the trail, you can keep your bike between yourself and the animal as a barrier. But it’s likely better to just wait for a safe opportunity to pass by.
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