Professor Brian Bellhouse was crushed by a herd of 20 cows as he tried to save his dog Baldrick, an inquest has heard
A millionaire retired Oxford University professor was trampled to death by a herd of cows while trying to save his Labrador from the stampede, an inquest heard today.
Professor Brian Bellhouse had been walking his dog Baldrick with a close friend when 20 cows and calves suddenly stampeded towards them.
The 80-year-old millionaire’s black, frail Labrador became trapped underneath the herd in Guestling, East Sussex.
But when the pensioner attempted to save him, he was thrown to the ground and trampled by the animals who crushed his chest and tore off his ear.
His friend escaped and raised the alarm but the elderly academic had been crushed beneath the frightened animals for many minutes before help arrived and later died.
Baldrick, who was also visibly injured and bleeding from the mouth, was later put down by the family.
Professor Bellhouse’s heartbroken family and friends were in court to hear the accidental death verdict today.
His inquest heard an emergency helicopter, an ambulance with two paramedics on board and a police car all rushed to the scene but despite desperate efforts to save his life, Mr Bellhouse died from his injuries at his farm.
His close friend John Clarke, 61, told the inquest in Hastings today that he had been walking with Professor Bellhouse with his own puppy on a lead, when the tragedy happened.
The retired policeman said: ‘We had his dog Baldrick with us, a bloody old black Labrador. We also had a little pup with us. The cattle were used to Baldrick and the pup was kept on a lead.
80-year-old millionaire Mr Bellhouse’s black, frail Labrador became trapped underneath the herd in this field in Guestling, East Sussex
‘The field is a couple of hundred yards from top top to bottom. We would go out by the church into the churchyard and that would be it.
‘We got in the field at the bottom and got about 50 yards up the field when we saw the 10 cows and their 10 calves. As we got closer they started to come towards us. Baldrick tried to get out of the way but they started to trample him.
Professor Bellhouse’s heartbroken family and friends were in court to hear the accidental death verdict in Hastings today
‘Brian went in to try to get Baldrick out and the next I knew, Brian was knocked flat. They were milling around and treading on him. He just could not get up.’
He added: ‘I went in to try to rescue Brian but I got booted in the chest. I got trampled for a couple of minutes before I got out. I dragged the little pup with me.’
Mr Clarke said he had gone up to the church to find a woman standing in the yard and had run back to help Mr Bellhouse as she called the police but that by the time paramedics had made it to the scene, it was all too late.
Police officers who attended the scene said they had arrived to find Prof Bellhouse lying face-up on the ground with visible injuries to his legs, chest and torso.
About six foot away from his body was little Baldrick, who was also visibly injured and bleeding from the mouth.
He was taken to the vet by the farmer in charge of the cows, Paul Elliott.
X-rays showed Baldrick had not broken any bones but revealed advanced arthritis. The family decided to put Baldrick down while a younger golden retriever went to the professor’s sister.
PC Brett White, who attended the scene from Sussex Police, said: ‘It appeared the majority of Mr Bellhouse’s right ear had been torn off.
‘The dog was conscious but motionless. I saw a blood stain on the dog’s tongue. Mr Elliott took the dog to the nearest veterinary clinic.’
Concluding the inquest, Senior Coroner for East Sussex, Alan Craze, said: ‘Cows are dangerous, especially when dogs are being walked near them, which is why the signs are there on the gates.
‘What has happened is very sad indeed, but it has happened and we cannot change history.
‘The cause of death reported in the post mortem examination was simply a crush injury to the chest.’
Addressing Professor Bellhouse’s close family members in the inquest, he said: ‘This would have been a devastating shock to the four of you. Please allow me to extend my condolences.’
Speaking after the inquest, Mr Clarke added: ‘He was my best mate, we walked our dogs every day. I am still trying to recover.
‘When I had left my puppy in the Land Rover, Paul and I were trying to keep the cattle away from Brian.
‘We managed to drive the cattle away into another field, and we closed the gate.
‘I feared for my own life when I was being trampled. The doctors told me they had been expecting two dead bodies that day.’