Bull in field that has a public footpath going across it….

It’s exactly what Blossoming said. It’s is legal.

I looked into this last year as I had an incident whilst walking with my dog, on her lead, through national trust grounds. Bull and cows in a fenced and gated field. The public footpath through it was one of 3 set walks.

However, the Ramblers are trying to stop farmers /owners putting bulls in such fields. Hope they succeed.

Cows on their own are fine, they can be nosey and come to investigate you, but mostly they keep away.

DiscoDancer - for future reference I think cows can swim!

Casdon

www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/what-cattle-farmers-should-know-8964531
It is illegal to have an adult bull in a field with a footpath because of the risk to the public on a right of way. There’s info on the Rambling Association site about what to do if you know this is happening.

It's not illegal, Casdon, it's what Blossoming said.

From your link:

Section 59 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 bans bulls of recognised dairy breeds (eg Ayrshire, Friesian, Holstein, Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey, Jersey and Kerry) in all circumstances from being at large in fields crossed by public rights of way.

Bulls of all other breeds are also banned from such fields unless accompanied by cows or heifers, but there are no specific prohibitions on other cattle. “Fields” in this legislation do not include areas such as open fell or moorland.

I must admit I'd be dubious about a field with cows and a a bull in it, whatever its breed...

www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/what-cattle-farmers-should-know-8964531
It is illegal to have an adult bull in a field with a footpath because of the risk to the public on a right of way. There’s info on the Rambling Association site about what to do if you know this is happening.

Farmers Weekly agrees with me ?

www.fwi.co.uk/livestock/tips-on-staying-legal-with-bulls-and-cows-near-footpaths

Perfectly legal, as long as the bull is with cows or heifers and isn’t a recognised dairy breed. I’d be more wary of cows with calves, they become dry protective.

Don’t think it’s illegal. A bit daft though. We went for a walk on holiday a few years ago, and on the way back, the same field had filled with cows. There was no other way back to our campsite that we knew. There were no calves or bulls. Still pretty frightening. We all agreed to jump in the river running alongside if we had to! Luckily, they just ignored us

It’s definitely mature….

Nope, not legal unless the bull is under 10 months old, ie a juvenile. Do you know it’s mature, as farmers wouldn’t generally put an adult bull in a field with cows and calves?