A peaceful birthday stroll turned into tragedy for an Austrian mother. A 40-year-old woman was killed on Wednesday, June 27, while hiking in the Gastein Valley.near Salzburg, after being attacked by a herd of cows, revealed Le FigaroHis two daughters, aged 20 and 23, were also injured in the incident.
The attack happened while the family was enjoying an excursion in the mountains, accompanied by their two small dogs. According to the first elements of the investigation, the cows, whose maternal instinct is very developed, probably perceived the dogs as a threat to their calves and charged the groupThe mother was unable to escape the attack and died on the spot. Her daughters managed to escape and alerted emergency services. They were taken to hospital by helicopter and suffered minor injuries.
Incident highlights protective behavior of cows
Austrian authorities are calling on hikers to exercise caution and respect safety instructions. It is important to stay away from herds of cows and keep your dogs on a leash. In the event of an encounter with a herd, it is recommended to move away calmly and not to make any sudden movements.
As rescuers pointed out, cows, normally peaceful animals, can become aggressive when they feel threatened, especially in the presence of dogs. “Cows, whose maternal instinct is very developed, defend their calves“, said a police source. This instinctive reaction, although rare, is potentially fatal for careless hikers.
Similar precedents
This drama is unfortunately not the first of its kind in Austria. In 2017, another woman died in similar circumstances in Tyrol, while a German holidaymaker also died three years earlier in identical circumstances.. These incidents have caused deep emotion in the country and raised questions about the safety of hiking trails crossing grazing areas. Local authorities and the agricultural community have since mobilized to raise awareness among hikers of the essential precautions to take during such excursions.
The question of liability in this type of accident is often debated. In 2019, an Austrian farmer was ordered to pay damages to the family of a tourist killed by one of his cows. The court found that the farmer had not taken the necessary measures to secure his pasture.
However, a subsequent judgment also highlighted the responsibility of the tourist, who had not kept her dog on a leash. The Austrian government has published a guide for hikers, reminding them of the safety precautions to follow when around cows. It is important to find out about hiking routes and familiarize yourself with the areas where the herds graze.
