Landowners are being urged to keep cows with calves away from public rights of way after two more walkers told how they were confronted by an angry heifer.

John Kernig and John Warren were walking along the Thames towpath near Eynsham when they were attacked by brown cows

Friends John Kirnig and John Warren had to use a walking stick and a branch to fend off the cow when she tried to charge at them while they were crossing a field near Godstow Lock, Wolvercote, Oxford.

They believe the brown cow, which was among a group of about 10, including two calves, may have been the same heifer which trampled cyclist Paul Harris in August.

Mr Harris, 41, of Eynsham, was on the Thames towpath near Godstow Lock when a heifer -- also among a herd of 10 cows with two calves -- knocked him down and stepped on his chest, causing his lung to collapse.

Retired architect Mr Kirnig, 72, of Banbury Road, Oxford, said: "We had to get through the herd of cows to cross the field. I had my dog on a lead as she's scared of cows, so there was no way she agitated them.

"Then this female cow just came at us. John had his walking stick and was waving it, but it didn't stop her, so I grabbed a willow branch.

"Eventually, she backed off, but I'm sure that I could've ended up like Mr Harris if I didn't have a friend with me to help."

Mr Kirnig and Mr Warren, a retired Oxford Brookes University lecturer, were shocked to read about Mr Harris's injuries in the Oxford Mail last week. Their encounter with the cow happened three weeks ago.

" I think it's probably the same ones," said Mr Kirnig.

"We were lucky not to be hurt, but something really needs to be done about this before someone else gets hurt.

"It's not good enough saying people have to take care -- that's what we were doing at the time."

As reported in the Oxford Mail, the Environment Agency has told lock keepers of the danger, and some have put up warning notices.

The warnings make particular reference to the French Saler breed, which officials said could be aggressive, particularly with calves.

Mr Harris, who was with his children Samuel, 14, and Melissa, 13, at the time of his attack, believes he was attacked by a Saler. He has welcomed the notices, but is calling for owners to take action over where their cows are kept if they have calves.

He said: "The cows are being protective, but they are a risk. It should be landowners and farmers who take responsibility and keep them away from rights of way."