Pamela Joyce Barnwell, 88, was working as a legal archivist when she was found lying on the ground with serious injuries after being charged at by the herd of cattle.
An inquest has now opened into her death and revealed she was rushed to hospital but died from multiple traumatic injuries, including a pelvic haemorrhage, the following day.
Mrs Barnwell and her pet were near to the Godshill cricket ground, near Fordingbridge, when the tragedy happened on October 21.
Her death has led to calls for greater safety for walkers in the forest, after other dog owners had recently reported being charged at by cows in the same area, with one man having to dive across the ground to avoid being trampled.
Her cousin Mary Beesly said: ‘She would regularly walk her dog in the New Forest every day – I don’t believe she ever mentioned any danger.
‘It’s very surreal – her passing has really upset me and as the days go past it plays on my mind more and more.
‘For me as someone who is not from the area, I’m really surprised that incidents like this have not happened before in the New Forest.
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‘I have tried to call around some local people and organisations and they all tell me the same thing – animals have always been free to roam in the New Forest.
‘I think something ought to be done to make sure people are kept safe while walking there.’
The inquest also heard that Mrs Barnwell worked at local solicitors Meesons & Spurlings, despite being well past retirement age, and had a background of ischemic heart disease.
