A 67-year-old woman was killed and her 65-year-old husband seriously injured after being attacked by a herd of cows in Lienz, East Tyrol, in the Austrian Alps on Sunday afternoon, May 17 [1, 2].
Police said the herd consisted of a "mid-double-digit" number of cows [1, 2]. The couple was hiking without a dog at the time of the attack [1, 2]. Authorities have not determined why the cows behaved aggressively [1, 2].
Officials noted that cows sometimes attack dogs when defending their calves, a common reason hikers are advised to take precautions around cattle in Alpine regions [1, 2].
This incident follows a similar fatal attack in September 2025 when an 85-year-old man died after being attacked by a herd of cows near Ramsau am Dachstein, also in the Austrian Alps [1, 2].
The recent attack adds to growing concerns about safety risks posed by aggressive cattle on popular hiking trails. Police continue to investigate the motivation behind the cows’ behavior in the Lienz area.
The husband’s condition remains serious following hospital treatment. No further details about their identities or the circumstances leading to the incident have been released.
Local authorities have not announced any immediate additional safety measures. The investigation and any response measures are ongoing [1, 2].
