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?

Because I am not swayed by a mass emotional response or ppl jumping on bandwagon.

Or, you know, sometimes, just sometimes, you just have to admit that you are completely and utterly in the wrong.

I read this in one of today's paper - an exasperated farmer -

Dogs allowed off their leads during lambing season also turn him purple with rage. ‘Some people are absolute idiots! Militantly stupid. I used to be diplomatic; now I just swear at them.’
He once threatened to smash the heads of two Jack Russells on a rock when he found them bothering a neighbour’s sheep.
His longest crusade, though, is against those who seem bent on destroying the farming community to make way for outdoor pursuits and holidaymakers.
‘This is a 5,000-year-old farmed landscape. But during my lifetime the Lake District has been changing more and more from a working place where people farm for a living, to being a recreational nature park.’

Here's a cunt there's a cunt everyone's a cunt cunt.

Well, Kleinzeit, why say it then?

He was just sounding off? After all, the man is a total coward who hides behind his own children when a farmer starts shouting so I can’t imagine him daring to open a gate, much less take on a dog. Though fair enough, I could be wrong, which is why I did suggest that the OP might warn her SiL that the village would not take kindly to anyone even suggesting it - never mind doing it.

And why did the OP think it necessary to repeat it here?

Well, the OP’s argument seems to be that if the farmer’s reaction made her nutcase friend angry enough to threaten to do something really nutty, then that puts the farmer in the wrong. It's not an argument that convinces me, or anyone else apart from the OP, but hey ho.

Cadmium, I remember that thread. it was harrowing. IIRC, the local policeman went round to the holiday cottagers to give them a word or two. I hope they only went on City breaks after that.

Cadmium, I remember that thread

I was trying to find it but couldn't

"SIL said her friend (dad of other kids) was so annoyed he later told her he might go back at night and leave every gate on her land open, find her sheepdog and 'teach it a lesson'. Stupid, pointless and spiteful I know. But entirely preventable if farmer had behaved with a bit more dignity and respect, and kept dog away from kids."

No, "entirely preventable" if the friend hadn't been such an arsehole.

The fruit of a firehtorn (pyracanthus) is poisonous.

The apple of discord?

Ironically, pyracanthus is one of the recommended plants for a prickly hedge that keeps fuckwits off of your property.

What's in a name, eh?

somewhat of a co-incidence, isn't it?

Which is why I planted them around my property they form a beautiful prickly hedge

The thread is nearly over - can someone provide a link to the terrapin thread??

Ah, the return of the OP! What did you think of the tips I gave you?

I think the chances of him getting into the farm or farmyard to "teach the dog a lesson" without him badly bitten are quite low. The dog would be perfectly justified in biting someone breaking and entering his property, especially if that person started kicking/hitting the dog.

The farmer would also be justified in blasting the bloke with a shotgun if they were scared for their personal safety with someone breaking in.

What a cracking thread. I think we could use this as justification for The Archers returning to its old remit of being An Everyday Story of Country Folk. It's pretty clear there's enormous ignorance about the countryside. How could anybody not know that lots of lambs are born just before Easter?

As the sun sets on this absorbing and diverting thread, I would like to thank the OP for her efforts in composing this gentle, affable, everyday tale of country folks.

She is living proof that, on MN at least, the art of fiction is not dead.

I honestly think sometimes these things are here because the OP's want to get in the Daily Mail.

She is living proof that, on MN at least, the art of fiction is not dead

Exactly.

Watch this space. I wouldn't be surprised if she posted another goady reply just before the end of the thread.

Well.

Art of fiction - or perverse pleasure in BU?
Professionally unreasonable?

Nearly there.

Honestly, most people dont realise it can cause harm to the sheep. So what's needed is more awareness and kind communication.

The farmer as well as anyone on here who is indignant and actually angry at this are very immature and have poor communication skills. People are more likely to learn and take your message on board when they aren't put on the defense.

Obviously if something wrong is happening, the first step is to inform them. Not to just assume that everyone knows but is being deliberately cruel.

Swearing and being cruel just shows that person doesn't understand the simple concept of innocent ignorance that just requires explanation. They think everyone knows what they already know, which is actually really telling of the kind of person they are. Best case scenario, you just get into a fight... worst case scenario, the kids continue to spite you because of your anger.

Its better for the sheep and all involved to focus on informing and staying in control of your own emotions.