What Should We Do If We Encounter Stray Cattle?

Q: What should we do if we encounter stray cattle in the wild?

A: Generally, cattle will not pose a threat to humans if undisturbed . However, they may make defensive attacks if they feel threatened and being large animals, they are potentially dangerous to humans. As such, when you encounter stray cattle, you should not get too close to them, touch them, feed them, or try to drive them away by using any bodily movements or making any noise. Instead, you should keep an appropriate distance from them and make observation there. Where necessary, you should make a detour.

Q: What should we do if we see injured, sick or trapped stray cattle?

A: If you find stray cattle which appear to be injured, sick or trapped, you may call the Government hotline 1823 for referral of the case to the AFCD. While the main duty of the Cattle Management Team under the AFCD is not to provide veterinary services for stray cattle, in consideration of the case being related to animal welfare, the Cattle Management Team will deploy staff to handle the case upon receipt of the referral. Our staff members will first locate the injured, sick or trapped cattle and decide on the treatment and/or rescue plan as appropriate. For the cattle suffering from incurable injury or illness, they may be humanely dispatched by our veterinary officers.

Q: Should we feed those stray cattle?

A: Cattle are herbivores and capable of feeding themselves in the wild and the public should not feed stray cattle.  Human feeding may change their natural behaviour and survival instinct.  Some stray cattle that are conditioned to be fed by humans will snatch food from passers-by actively or even scavenge in rubbish bins for food.  Consumption of inappropriate food may result in sickness or weight loss due to indigestion, gastrointestinal blockage or allergic reactions.  This would lead to long-term impact on the herd as well as the ecosystem.

Please click this link for more information relating to the AFCD’s stray cattle management plan.

Cattle Management Team, AFCD