The spring is here, in the valleys is already high grass and the pastures are also free of snow soon.
It will not be long before our animals are brought back to the pastures .
Many trails and bike paths run through meadows and over pastures that are grazed .
Hikers are recommended to exercise caution when encountering grazing animals. In order to avoid potentially dangerous situations, certain guidelines should be followed and one should be aware of common behavioural patterns of grazing animals.
- Unless it cannot be avoided, try not to get too close to grazing cattle. In particular, do not feed nor stroke young calves! Animals may feel irritated by hikers and misinterpret their actions, resulting in them feeling threatened.
- a herd seems restless or becomes fi xated on a hiker; keep your distance! In this situation, consider making a detour!
- Keep your dog on a leash and make sure it doesn’t get too close to the herd or try to chase them. Dogs are considered to be
potential enemies, especially for young animals, and are therefore often attacked by dams. Take your dog off the lead if it seems a cow is going to attack it. Unlike humans, dogs can run fast enough to evade confrontation. This will also divert the cow’s attention from the dog owner, so he or she can leave the danger zone.
- If a dangerous situation nevertheless arises: Keep calm and do not run away! Only in an absolute emergency should you attempt to deliver a well aimed blow with your hiking pole to the cow’s nose. Otherwise, you should slowly and steadily leave the danger zone, without turning your back on the animals. This is the only correct way to behave in the event of a dangerous
encounter.
