Facts about fatal animal attacks in the U.S.

[GoldenBear]

http://www.wemjournal.org/article/S1...313-7/abstract
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...kes/410283002/

Cows, horses, and other farm animals cause the most fatalities.
Hymenoptera (hornets, wasps, and bees) are next.
Dogs are #3.
Snakes come next.
Bears fatalities are so rare that they hardly count for danger.

This is not a joke: be careful around farm animals, just like you would be careful around predators.

And if you see a dog on The Trail, particularly one that is unleashed, remember that the danger of fatalities is greater than if you see a bear.

[AllDownhillFromHere]

...And if you see a dog on The Trail, particularly one that is unleashed, remember that the danger of fatalities is greater than if you see a bear.

I'm not sure that follows from the data. Since you see dogs in towns and cities far more often than you see bears, and you don't get killed every time you see a dog, I'm not sure that _on a trail_ you're more likely to be killed by a dog than a bear. Whats the ratio of dog encounters to deaths, vs bear encounters to deaths?

[rickb]

This is not a joke: be careful around farm animals, just like you would be careful around predators.

Does the AT still pass through pastures with cows in them?

And the odd bull?

[Offshore]

Does the AT still pass through pastures with cows in them?

And the odd bull?

It passes through a pasture adjacent to the Route 94 crossing in NJ between Pochuck Boardwalk and Stairway to Heaven. Very unfriendly bovines...

[Slo-go'en]

Does the AT still pass through pastures with cows in them?

And the odd bull?

I don't know about bulls, but I walked through a herd of long horn cattle in Grayson highlands and you cross a number of cow pastures in VA.

[rickb]

Seems to me I remember pushing by some herfords in VT.

[JJ505]

I don't know re: the AT but i worry about this here. Idiots with their dogs. Note that I have a dog, so this is not hate against dogs. And 98% of the dogs are fine. But there is that idiot that has a dog that shouldn't be there, that is off leash and is dog aggressive (or human aggressive). It's a concern.

[Offshore]

I don't know re: the AT but i worry about this here. Idiots with their dogs. Note that I have a dog, so this is not hate against dogs. And 98% of the dogs are fine. But there is that idiot that has a dog that shouldn't be there, that is off leash and is dog aggressive (or human aggressive). It's a concern.

I assume that any dog I encounter on a trail that is off leash is likely to be an aggressive dog (and for certain the owner is an idiot). I've had "friendly dogs" react negatively to trekking poles and even a headnet, so I really don't want to hear how your dog is not a problem dog. It's never a problem dog , until it becomes a problem dog. If there are leash laws, follow them - you and your dog are not special. If you run your dog off leash and it comes at me, I'll defend myself and if your dog is injured, that's on you.

[speedbump]

There will always be dogs on the trail, does not make the owner an idiot. You are right, an aggressive dog should not be on the trial. That said, I have had hikers stomp right up to my dog with their hands out, scaring the crap out of me and the dog, and my dog IS mellow. Both hiker and dog owners should be cautious. If you see a dog, do not stomp up to it, and dog owners, if you see a hiker, lease your dog. And yes, if a dog charges me aggressively, it is getting bear sprayed.

[BowGal]

I don't know re: the AT but i worry about this here. Idiots with their dogs. Note that I have a dog, so this is not hate against dogs. And 98% of the dogs are fine. But there is that idiot that has a dog that shouldn't be there, that is off leash and is dog aggressive (or human aggressive). It's a concern.

Yep!
I’m way more afraid of a dog off leash than I am of a bear. And I’ve had two encounters with black bears while hunting. Bears are curious, but usually skittish, and will take off once seeing someone. Some people dogs are unpredictable. For the record, I love dogs.

[FrogLevel]

There's a few farm crossings in Tennessee and SW VA. I've had to walk around cows many times, often deep in the thick woods.

[Sarcasm the elf]

http://www.wemjournal.org/article/S1...313-7/abstract
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...kes/410283002/

Cows, horses, and other farm animals cause the most fatalities.
Hymenoptera (hornets, wasps, and bees) are next.
Dogs are #3.
Snakes come next.
Bears fatalities are so rare that they hardly count for danger.

This is not a joke: be careful around farm animals, just like you would be careful around predators.

And if you see a dog on The Trail, particularly one that is unleashed, remember that the danger of fatalities is greater than if you see a bear.

It's unfortunate that the last paragraph was added. It's seems to be derailing an otherwise excellent post and thread.

I'll add that passing through cattle fields on trail probably makes more nervous than any other one type of animal encounter on trail. Ornery cattle are nothing to mess with, especially from the inside of their field.

[Feral Bill]

So, in conclusion, cattle should be killed and eaten.

[George]

So, in conclusion, cattle should be killed and eaten.

cooking in between is somewhat popular

[Feral Bill]

cooking in between is somewhat popular

Good idea!

[George]

100 million cattle in us

90 million dogs

70 million pigs

300 thousand bears, only 1500 of which are grizzly in lower 48

fatalities appear to be related to population and interaction more than actual threat

what would be a very embarrassing way to go?? a sheep related fatality (of which their are only 5 million)

[Sarcasm the elf]

So, in conclusion, cattle should be killed and eaten.

Statistically it would be safer to kill ahd eat the bears.

[gpburdelljr]

Statistically it would be safer to kill ahd eat the bears.

I recently read where a suspected lion poacher in Africa was killed and eaten by lions. Karma.

[Christoph]

I suddenly have a hankering for a steak... or a burger.
But yes, the AT does go through multiple pastures where cows are present and curious.

[FrogLevel]

The fear comes from being able to defend yourself and get away. I can climb a tree or walk away to avoid cows, I think I could physically take on a dog, I can easily spot snakes. If a bear wants to kill me, it will every time.