A farmer, Christopher Paul Sharpe, and partner in J H Sharp and Son, has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after a member of the public was fatally attacked by cattle on his land.
On 30 May 2020, 83 year old David Tinniswood and his wife were attacked by cattle whilst following a public right of way across Ivescar Farm at Chapel-Le–Dale in Carnforth.
The couple, accompanied by their two border terriers, were walking on a footpath that passed through the yard at Ivescar Farm, which follows a right of way that runs from the farm down to the road. Cattle grazing in the field they were crossing had calves at foot and attacked the couple. Tragically David Tinniswood was trampled and died at the scene, with his wife sustaining serious injuries.
The farmer pleaded guilty to breaching his duty under the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He was fined £780, ordered to pay costs of £7820.30, and received a 12 week suspended prison sentence.
HSE inspector Julian Franklin commented on the case: "A number of measures could have been taken to safeguard walkers using the path, while cattle and calves were grazing in that field. Firstly, not using that field for cattle and calves. Most farmers will have other groups of stock that can graze fields containing rights of way, so can reduce the risk of incidents by putting sheep in them, or they could take fodder crops from them. Cattle with calves can be put in fields without rights of way, away from members of the public, or can be segregated from walkers."
"Farmers should ensure they take all reasonably practicable precautions to protect walkers on public rights of way, especially when they are grazing cows and calves together, or bulls are present."
