Animal lover is named as woman who was trampled to death by cows

by · Mail Online

A woman who was trampled to death by cows as she walked her dog in the New Forest has been described by friends as an animal lover.

Pamela Joyce Barnwell, 88, was still working as a legal archivist when she was found lying on the ground with serious injuries after being charged at by the herd of cattle.

An inquest has now opened into her death and revealed she was rushed to hospital but died from multiple traumatic injuries, including a pelvic haemorrhage, the following day.

Mrs Barnwell and her pet were near to the Godshill cricket ground, near Fordingbridge, when the tragedy happened on October 21.

Her death has led to calls for greater safety for walkers in the forest, after other dog owners had recently reported being charged at by cows in the same area, with one man having to dive across the ground to avoid being trampled.

Pamela Joyce Barnwell, 88, was still working as a legal archivist when she was found lying on the ground with serious injuries after being charged at by the herd of cattle
An inquest has now opened into Mrs Barnwell's death and revealed other dog walkers had recently reported being charged at by cows in the same area (Stock image of a cow)
Mrs Barnwell was rushed to hospital but died from multiple traumatic injuries including a pelvic haemorrhage the following day (pictured: land near Godshill Cricket Ground) 

Her cousin Mary Beesly said: 'She would regularly walk her dog in the New Forest every day - I don't believe she ever mentioned any danger.

'It's very surreal - her passing has really upset me and as the days go past it plays on my mind more and more.

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Dog walker in her 80s is trampled to death by a cow - days after man was charged at in same spot

'For me as someone who is not from the area, I'm really surprised that incidents like this have not happened before in the New Forest.

'I have tried to call around some local people and organisations and they all tell me the same thing - animals have always been free to roam in the New Forest.

'I think something ought to be done to make sure people are kept safe while walking there.'

The inquest also heard that Mrs Barnwell worked at local solicitors Meesons & Spurlings, despite being well past retirement age, and had a background of ischemic heart disease.

She was described as an active person and walked her dog in the New Forest, Hampshire, every day.

Neighbours have paid tribute to Mrs Barnwell who they said was a 'lovely and hard-working lady'.

One neighbour, who didn't want to be named, said: 'She had a tremendous work ethic. She was a wonderful person and had a great sense of humour.

Mrs Barnwell and her pet were near to the Godshill cricket ground, near Fordingbridge, when the tragedy happened on October 21.
The tragic incident occurred just days after a 63-year-old dog walker spoke of his own near miss, having to leap out of the way to avoid being struck by a charging cow in the same location
Mrs Barnwell was described as an active person and walked her dog in the New Forest, Hampshire, every day (pictured: Flowers left at the scene) 

'She loved animals and walked her dog in the New Forest every day.

'We'd been neighbours for over 30 years, we thought the world of her. She will be greatly missed.'

The tragic incident occurred just days after a 63-year-old dog walker spoke of his own near miss, having to leap out of the way to avoid being struck by a charging cow in the same location.

Kevin Parker said a cow charged out of the bushes at him without warning, leading him slipping on wet grass and fall over. 

Despite Mr Parker waving of his arms and shouting at the cow, it jumped and landed inches from where he was, as he narrowly managed to roll out of the way.

The inquest was adjourned until September next year, with Hampshire area coroner Nicholas Walker ordering statements from the New Forest District Council on the monitoring of wild stock and a statement from the owner of the cow.