Cattle in the New Forest could have their horns removed to prevent them attacking ramblers amid increasing fears for visitors' safety.

In the past 14 months, there have been at least eight serious incidents resulting in hospitalisation following an attack by cattle in the New Forest.

The increase in attacks has forced the New Forest Commoners Defence Association (CDA) to write a letter to the 200 people who are registered to turn cattle out to graze the forest, to dehorn their stock.

In July this year, Amelia Borrelli, 86, spent a week in the hospital after a cow plunged its horn into her leg, almost severing a main artery, as she walked her dog in the forest in Hampshire.

Dr Tony Hockley, chairman of the CDA said that such incidents used to be “unheard of” and were largely due to local dog walkers becoming too confident around the cattle. He added that Commoners - landowners with ancient rights to graze livestock on the forest - could also be liable for any compensation claim from victims.

Dr Hockley said: "These days people are over-confident while in the forest and let their dogs off leads constantly. "

But we have also considered what more, as commoners, we could do to protect all forest users from very serious harm.