Keep cows on Petersham Meadows (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

Keep cows on Petersham Meadows

June 25, 2011 8:22 PM

petersham dog attack • [Jun 24]: COWS have grazed on Petersham Meadows for centuries, and the National Trust were given over half a million pounds to keep cows on the famous view from Richmond Hill. Yet this month the National Trust have come close to removing the cows after a problem with a dog.

Recently in an unfortunate incident a dog attacked one of the cows in Petersham Meadows. Instead of insisting that dogs are kept on leads, or not allowed at all on Petersham Meadows when cows are there, the National Trust who now manage the land panicked and threatened to remove the cows. Yet they were given about £600,000 in an endowment specifically to safeguard the future of cows on the meadows. Since the late 1990s money has been raised locally to provide an endowment to keep cows on Petersham Meadows. Last year this money was given to the National Trust as an organisation that would safeguard the future of the meadows in perpetuity. Yet only a year later they want to get rid of the cows, treating them as if they are dangerous animals. Strong pressure from local residents and former members of the Petersham Trust has temporarily reprieved the cows. But the National Trust still has to decide what to do next year.

Sir David Williams, councillor for Ham and Petersham, said: "Cows on Petersham Meadows are part of our local heritage, and must be kept there. The National Trust have accepted £600,000 to do just this. If there is a problem with dogs, then restrict the dogs. Do not remove the cows. Brian Miller, Sue Jones and I, as the councillors for Petersham, will take this campaign to whatever level is needed to make the National Trust honour the commitment they have taken on."

• The cattle, many of them pregnant or with calves, were attacked by a bull terrier on Bank Holiday (May 2nd) [video] [http://sruv-pitbulls.blogspot.com]

• Petersham cows should be given priority [RTT Jul 18]