Police alert follows reports of people taking selfies among farm animals in Sussex fields

A warning has gone out from Sussex Police after reports of people risking their lives by taking selfies among livestock in farm fields.
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Worried farmers have expressed concerns to Sussex Polilce rural teams about the safety of some people trespassing onto their land.

A police spokesman said: “Whilst trespass should not in any case be occurring, and trespass into any field could cause stress to animals or damage crops, trespass into a livestock field can be dangerous.

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“Recent reports of people found among cows in calf and cows together with their calves are particularly worrying.

People have been risking their lives by taking selfies among livestock SUS-200522-102040001People have been risking their lives by taking selfies among livestock SUS-200522-102040001
People have been risking their lives by taking selfies among livestock SUS-200522-102040001

“All animals, like humans, will be protective of their young and a herd of cows are certainly capable of natural behaviour that will frighten and possibly injure the trespasser.

“That risk is apparently at times being taken just for a social media photo, with no regard for animal welfare or personal safety.

“The farmers reporting their concerns do also welcome people to enjoy the great views that they work among, of the countryside that they farm and animals they care for and are skilled in handling.

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“There is no need for anyone to trespass or put themselves in danger to enjoy the farming environment or capture a memory.

“The quiet-moment pauses, and photo-opportunities can all happen in safe locations along our great network of Public Rights of Way – footpaths for foot traffic, bridleways to include cyclists and horse riders.”

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