Walker, 67, killed in cow attack in Limburg village

A 67-year-old man was trampled to death by a herd of cows in the Limburg village of Spaubeek earlier this month. He was walking in a meadow with his dog when the cows attacked him, various media reported. The municipality of Beek, which covers the village, has closed off access to the meadow and put up signs warning people to stay out.

The incident happened on August 10 in a meadow between Vrouwenbos and Looiwnkelstraat. The meadow is fenced, but accessible through turnstiles. The police confirmed to L1 that a man died there due to “unnatural causes.” But no crime was committed, so the police did not launch an investigation.

The municipality of Beek closed access to the meadow on August 12 and posted signs reading “No access for unauthorized persons.” A spokesperson told the Telegraaf that they took these measures immediately after finding out about the man’s death. “Because there was a possibility that the cattle present there may have played a role in this, precautionary measures were taken by closing off the area.”

It is unclear why the cows reacted so violently to the man and his dog. According to De Limburger, they were also aggressive toward other walkers and the victim’s relatives, who came to the meadow to grieve.

The Royal Dutch Climbing and Mountaineering Association (NKBV) warns Dutch hikers abroad to be wary of cows. “Cows are normally not aggressive but can become so if they believe that their young are threatened,” the association writes on its website.