walking through fields with livestock

That would make sense for my situation.  The cows on our commons are around people all the time because it is a shared and heavily used space.  I've even seen golfers trying to putt around cows who refused to budge from the greens. The cows get priority.  I don't think anyone can keep bulls on the commons.

We used to encounter livestock and lots of ponies in Cornwall and Devon.  The coastal path is full of them. If we avoided livestock we'd never have walked anywhere other than the city.

Forget the moors!

We also took our dogs with us.  It's about being respectful of others land and property and a responsible dog owner.  

We only had one close call when a herd of cows decide to follow us on the path between Looe and Seaton coming down from Nomansland.  We stayed close to the fence line and kept a steady but calm pace.

Imagine what the Chihuahua thought of it all!

I honestly thought the cows were just hungry or thinking they had to move to another field.

At the end of the day I could get killed crossing the street.  So should I avoid crossing the street because there are cars, buses, motorcycles etc?

Use common sense, assess the danger and make your choices.  

I do so miss those walks!

But if you do enter a field with livestock, and they do chase after or crowd you, it's not fair to blame the animals, or the farmer.  That's their home, and their livlihood.  Enter at your own risk, and keep in mind that if you (or your dog) spook them enough that an animal is injured (i.e. running into fences, etc.) or property is damaged, in some circumstance you could be held liable for damages.

A walker is not responsible for any spooked animals, if that walker is on the public footpath. The farmer knows there is a footpath on that field as it probably would have been there before he was born, so he should be careful what animals he puts in that field.

It is not unknown for a few farmers to put animals in fields to try to scare walkers from using a public footpath, but if an animal injures a walker exercising their rights on that footpath, then the farmer is liable under Health and Safety laws.

Any problems with farmers and public footpaths, should be reported to the local council and the Ramblers Association.

Cows and dogs are not a good mix if the cows have young with them.

A walker is not responsible for any spooked animals, if that walker is on the public footpath. The farmer knows there is a footpath on that field as it probably would have been there before he was born, so he should be careful what animals he puts in that field.

It is not unknown for a few farmers to put animals in fields to try to scare walkers from using a public footpath, but if an animal injures a walker exercising their rights on that footpath, then the farmer is liable under Health and Safety laws.

Thank you.  And there is definitely a clause in the laws (don't know where exactly but I've read it) about the farmers not being allowed to keep aggressive cattle on public bi ways.  In our area, they definitely do it on purpose but then again, the landowner is not exactly known for playing fair.

Being on a public footpath is not the same as rambling through someone's field.  A marked, known public walking path should be open and safe for the public, and if someone is keeping aggressive animals in that area, they should be reported.

But hikers/ramblers don't always stay on official public footpaths.  Particularly in Scotland, where there's a recognized 'right to roam,' people take this to mean they can do whatever they want: driving through the middle of people's fields, leaving gates open, having no concern for livestock, etc.  And yes, in those circumstances, if someone is not on a recognized public walkway, there is a degree of liability for damage to livestock and property.

[...] my advice is...just stay the hell out!  If you are not 100% familiar with the animals in a particular field, find someplace else to walk. 

Being on a public footpath is not the same as rambling through someone's field.  A marked, known public walking path should be open and safe for the public, and if someone is keeping aggressive animals in that area, they should be reported.

My original post was in regard to walking on a known, marked footpath. Since you come from a knowledgeable background, I'd be interested to know what your advice would be: Walk through the field with livestock (not knowing if they'd be aggressive or not), or turn back?

It's really a judgment call.  If the animal has been penned in an area with lots of walkers for some time, then it's probably used to it, and will take little notice.  On the other hand, some folks seem to be saying that animals near paths in their communities are notoriously aggressive toward pedestrians.  So, if you talk to other walkers in your area, they might tell you to be careful in a particular area or of a particular animal.  If that's the case, you can decide for yourself whether to risk it. 

The thing is, nothing's guaranteed (and this is even more true if you're walking with a dog).  Even if a particular animal has seen a thousand people walk past and never minded them, something about you, or on that particular day, could still set it off (my husband's cows do not like me at certain times of the month, so I stay away).  If you think the animal seems calm enough, and/or is far enough away not to notice you, and if you feel you could deal with the situation (are you close to a fence and do you feel capable of jumping over it if needed?), then go for it.  It'll probably be fine.   But if you're not feeling particularly athletic, or the animal seems restless or is hovering near the path, or if people have mentioned aggressive animals in that area, then I'd recommend against taking that path.