THE family of Alistair Porter are calling for more measures to promote walker safety in the countryside, after hearing how the father-of-two was trampled to death by a herd of 30 ‘mad’ cows in a field near Winsley.

An inquest at Salisbury Coroner’s Court heard how the 66-year-old died from internal bleeding after being attacked by cows while walking with his brother John, who he was visiting from Edinburgh, and two dogs in Turleigh in May 2013.

The jury returned a conclusion of accidental death, with narrative, taking into account the number of previous incidents with cattle and the public, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) involvement and lack of separation between the cattle and public.

Victims of previous cow attacks in the field, known locally as ‘Elbow Field’, and a neighbouring field spoke during the two-day inquest about how they had suffered serious injuries in similar attacks.

A statement read on behalf of Mr Porter’s long term partner Adrienne Sillar and their two sons after the inquest said: “What we hope to come from this are further measures to promote walker safety in regards to accessing public rights of way.”

Adrienne, who was with Mr Porter for 35 years, added: “It has been very difficult over the past two years for us to come to terms with losing Mike. He was loving, kind and gentle we are lost without him. He was very fit and active and loved walking, having been on treks all over the world.

“It’s difficult to understand why nothing was done to change the field or the right of way after the earlier attacks. We hope that lessons will be learned from this tragic incident so that no others have to go through what we have.”

Following the verdict, Assistant Coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon Ian Singleton announced he will make recommendations to the National Farmers' Union, DEFRA, HSE and the Ramblers' Association.

Mr Singleton said: “People for whatever reason don't appreciate the risks that there are with certain types of breed and certain types of situation.

“There certainly seems to be a need for wider discussions to avoid any wider tragedies which seem to happen on a more frequent basis.

“It's a national issue and this is not aimed at the farmer in this case in any way whatsoever. This is a concern for anybody in the countryside who wants to use a right of way. There needs to be a great debate about these issues.”

He added: “This is intended for the family so they know his death was not in vain. I will make a recommendation and we will see what comes of it.”

Farmer Brian Godwin, 81, of Timothy Rise Farm, Winsley Hill, who leases and farms on the fields, told the inquest that he believed the previous cow attacks had been isolated incidents.

He said: “We had problems before but we had done everything that we thought we needed to.”

Independent cattle expert Andrew Marshall highlighted that records from the British Cattle Movement Service showed that 31 of the cows on the farm when Mr Porter was killed were also there when the previous incidents took place in 2008 and 2011.

He said that the herd of cows involved in the three incidents could “potentially” be the same, before adding: “There is no way of knowing if they were or not.”

Mr Marshall explained that Mr Godwin's farm had mostly continental or continental-cross breeds, which were “more unpredictable” and “less calm” than British breeds.

He added that when confronted with a threat that makes them feel uncomfortable, the cows, which would have weighed around 3/4 of a tonne, will often go into a “fight or flight” response.

“The animal needs to make a decision when someone moves into their comfort zone, to move away and 'flight', or if there is a threat element they may 'fight',” Mr Marshall told the inquest.

“When you enter 'fight or flight' zone you can understand by the actions of the animal whether they are going to run or show unpredictable or excitable behaviour.”

Mr Marshall went on to explain to the inquest that cows with suckling calves, like those in Elbow Field, can show more unpredictable and excitable behaviour and there is possibly a “greater risk”.

“Any farmer who makes a decision to put suckler cows in a field with a footpath is aware that there is a risk," Mr Marshall added. “Farmers are very careful.”

He said that farmers should be aware of all previous incidents when weighing up the risk to public and that if the same cows were involved in the previous attacks then their response would have been “conditioned”.

The inquest also heard from Dawn Lawrence, an inspector for the Health and Safety Executive, who said that HSE records only included one reported attack as the others went unreported.

She said the HSE was only aware of the injuries sustained by David Billington, of Dane Rise, Winsley, in October 2011, after which the farm was written to about the need for additional safety measures.

The minimum safety measure was carried out by Mr Godwin, who runs the farm in a partnership with his wife and two sons, which was signs installed on the stiles saying: “Cows and calves in field.”

In addition, HSE records showed a member of the public had complained separately to them in 2008 about the way the cattle behaved when being moved, but it caused no injuries and was not one of the previous attacks talked about at the inquest.