To think parents should take responsibility if children chase sheep on country walk?

[Firethorn]

Recently went for a country walk (public right of way across farmland) with SIL, my 2 nieces, and another couple and their 3 kids. Crossing a sheep-field, the 5 kids started chasing sheep, trying to 'round them up' in a flock like they'd seen sheepdogs do on TV. I asked SIL if we should stop them, she said no they always do this it's not doing any harm. Other couple agreed and said the kids are having fun, let them play with the sheep. I was a bit concerned as one child was carrying a stick and waving it around, but respected the parents' decision.
Shortly afterwards an irate farmer marched towards us shouting and swearing! She was really aggressive and had a snarling dog (off the lead), dog was circling us but not approaching. For about 5 minutes mins she yelled and swore at the kids for chasing her sheep. All 3 parents then turned on their kids and told them off, lying that they'd been telling them to stop but they'd disobeyed! (They hadn't told them to stop at any point). My niece burst into tears and hid behind me and I lost my temper with farmer for swearing at kids, told her to back off and stop shouting, and to get dog under control. The dad of one of other kids then threatened to kick the dog if it came near his kids, and after some more shouting we decided to go back way we'd come. She shouted abuse after us until we were out of sight!

I'm annoyed with other parents for letting their kids chase sheep then lying about trying to stop them! Also with farmer for being so intimidating and rude. SIL says we should just have apologised and carried on walking. AIBU?

*Hunting, fishing, shooting are ok and not 'cruel' but some kids pretending to be sheepdogs in a field is a major crime? Hmmmmm.
I wonder why farmers have such a bad reputation! *

OP I think we've got to the nub of it now

Actually thinking about it,I wouldn't go into a field of geese either.
Fuck me,they're really bloody scary.

No wonder my kids won't chase anything.
We're too busy running away from them

Would the farmer be allowed to fence the path off to protect his animals and to make sure that walkers stick to the path?

Yes. But the ease of this depends on where the path runs. In my area, they often run diagonally across a field, so from bottom left hand corner to top right, or directly up through the middle of a field. Fencing off only really works if the footpath follows a wall or a hedgerow -- plus, fencing off a path may mean people stick to it, but it does not necessarily mean the sheep will stay out of it (and then promptly get stuck).

Honestly, you can put a tiny shrub in the middle of a field and there will always be one sheep will find a way to get its head stuck right in the middle of it, even if said sheep is completely surrounded by acres upon acres of clear field.

So it isn't that simple. It is like putting up signs, which sounds all well and good ... until your livestock start eating the signs or pushing them down or they get slarted with mud so no one notices them. And the countryside is not a civic environment; there isn't a council worker whose job it is "to do signs".

If you want the "countryside experience", you need to stick to National Trust countryside estates and even then, you will still be expected to know and follow the Countryside Code for your own safety and that of other people and animals. The NT site even states in its "Before you go" section: "Give wild animals and farm animals plenty of space – they can behave unpredictably."

Apparently it's ok to set your dog on ramblers if they stray from path, use dog to chase people off land, encourage bullocks to stampede down footpaths to deter people, poison other people's dogs, keep aggressive rams in fields with public rights of way, shout abuse at 'townies' who don't know the rules,

We have sheepdogs that protect their flock. People should not stray from paths. Bullocks can stampede, it's best not to walk in fields where they are. I'm entitled to keep rams in OUR fields. How hard is it for you to understand? It's NOT YOUR LAND TO WALK ON. It's not difficult to read the Country Code either. Why is this difficult for you to understand? Tell me WHY? Hundreds of posts before me have given you this information Firethorn so why do you continue to ask? Or are you just intent on being a goady fucker?

ThatBloodyWoman

Nowt wrong with a healthy respect for the countryside.

530 replies yet the OP continues to imply that she doesn't understand the replies. For being an "intelligent professional" I find that hard to believe.

I was looking for one of those public service ads I remember from back in the day. Couldn't find true ad itself, just the script:

The Country Code: 1971
(Cartoon characters Joe and Petunia are sitting in a field surrounded by litter from their picnic)
Petunia: Oh Joe, I have enjoyed our country walk!
Joe: Yes, we’ve come a long way Petunia. Look, you can see our tracks right across that yellow cornfield!
Petunia: Oh yes! It’s ever so nice in this field … but I’m glad those cows have gone!
Joe: Aye, they’ve taken themselves off for a walk down t’road … look … through that gate I opened … the one marked ’Private’.
Petunia: Oh yes!
(Woof-woof, woof-woof, woof-woof ….ba-a, ba-a, ba-a)
Petunia: Our little Bingo’s having a lovely time playing with those sheep! The exercise’ll do ’im good.
Joe (throws a stone) Heh-heh! I’ve hit that bottle Petunia! Heh! It smashed up a treat!
Petunia: Oh, very clever!
Joe: Do you know there’s a farmer down there with a purple face?
Petunia: I expect it’s all that sun and the open-air life, Joe.
Joe: No he’s doing one of those country dances!
Petunia: Well, I don’t think he looks very friendly!
Joe: Mebbe you’re right — can’t be anything we’ve done!
Petunia: No-o! But I won’t stay where we’re not wanted … c’mon Joe!
Farmer: When folk come out to the country, why oh why won’t they follow the Country Code?!

:o

Children should be taught not to chase any animals or birds
You do not need to know about lambing season or anything
Just respect other living creatures, it is not difficult

for Echt

more modern version

Thanks, Robin.

Firethorn - it is not just one sign. It is a sign on every gate of every field. And each sign must cover all the necessary information for the different animals that might be in that field, and all the possible conditions (ie. pregnant or non pregnant ewes, cows with the bull, in calf or with calves at foot) so that no numpties can claim they didn't know x, y or z.

How are they supposed to afford all these signs? When, in their busy, arduous days, should they find time to check and maintain them?

And why should they? Why is it their responsibility? If you moved to a different country, or an area you were unfamiliar with, why would it not be YOUR responsibility to learn the customs and laws of that area?

It is the incomers' responsibility to fit in and learn what they need to know.

Lovely. All this has made me very nostalgic for the public access in the UK. Footpaths across private land don't exist in Australia, and most National Parks forbid dogs.

Mind you, the prevalence of snakes would make taking the dog a bit of problem.

Can't be bothered to read on from last time but I'm guessing a) the op has been told repeatedly why they are so wrong and that b) they are still arguing about it being the farmers// sheep/ world at fault.

Also, Firethorn - why do you think your intelligent and professional friends/relatives think it is OK for their children to chase ANY animal for fun? Why do they need telling that this is not OK?

Firethorns Disgusting Summer 2015 This will be your next idea of how to treat animals Firethorn. Go catch a sheep next time while you and your idiotic SIL and friends laugh and laugh and laugh. This is the person I view you as, laughing hysterically behind a camera while your niece has "fun" with innocent animals.

Well done that Farmer I say.

OP you really have lapsed into the ridiculous. Your sense of entitlement is now bordering on the absurd.

A lot of farmers around us do put signs up. A lot of farmers will try to avoid putting ewes about to lamb and calves about to calf on a field with a footpath, but it's not always possible.

As for needing education that lambs are born in Spring. It's basic primary school stuff, surely? And aren't the newspapers full of photos of lambs and daffodils at the first sign of a Spring sunny day? The Country Code has been around for decades too..

I once had a chap strolling through my hayfield off the path every day. I caught up with him and politely informed him, he started spouting that he had "right to roam" anywhere (that only applies over a certain level above sea level, like moorland, so usually not regular fields). I said in that case where did he live, as I'd brings dogs for a wander round his flower beds later.

Ps, for the record I am country born and raised, worked with horses, been hunting and am NOT pro hunting.

Clearly OP doesn't want to accept answers to the questions she's asked. She's one of those people who will never accept an explanation nor try to see a farmers POV as she's an "intelligent professional" and knows it all.

This land owner had enough of people wandering off track ??

Hope this link works:
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2624317/Ive-got-brand-new-300-FOOT-fence-I-WONT-key-Farmer-stops-ramblers-straying-public-footpath-land-building-giant-metal-barrier.html

Op it's not fucking rocket science is it. It's common sense, don't chase sheep, don't let children run around waving stickss at sheep, don't be surprised when the owner of the sheep gets pissed off at you for not stopping the children.

And don't have a go at the country folk on here, I'm a townie and think you all behaved appallingly. You aggravated the situation by having a go at the farmer, the words you were all looking for is "I'm sorry, we didmt think, we will make sure we stick to the path and leave the sheep alone."

It all very well you saying you know that it was wrong and you know the parents were wrong but you are still excusing their behaviour and saying the farmer (and all farmers) should have signs up, bollocks, people should think before they act and not behave like twats

judgejudy79. That's the only way to keep people like Firethorn and her unruly niece, SIL and co out of farmers land as they clearly have no consideration for farmers at all.

I don't know the country code but it seems common sense that you would leave strange animals alone (whatever they are).
And when walking through someone else's property you would be respectful. Ie walk through quietly, orderly and sticking to path. The farmers field is not a playground, just a through way.

OP, it really is very simple. With regard to livestock, the same rules should be applied to children as to dogs. CLOSE CONTROL!! Dogs must be under close control in those circumstances, and in 99% of cases that means on the lead.

Children should not be allowed to worry sheep or other livestock either. That was very poor behaviour from your nieces. They should be learning how to behave respectfully and responsibly around animals.

Put them on leads next time if they can't be made to behave better than that.