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Original poster

Farmer fired shots over my head, what if anything can I do?

372 replies

unexpectedplaces · 16/05/2015 23:21

Can I ask if anyone knows if this is illegal or not in relation to a right of way across a farmers' land?

To explain what happened and give context. I was walking my dog through a field full of sheep and lambs, dog was at my heel the whole time (no issue whatsoever with the livestock) and we were then away from the sheep and heading for a kissing gate which is where the right of way footpath leads. It crosses a small field and ends up in a village, you can also veer to the left of the kissing gate and continue through the same field ending up at the same point near the village.

I elected to take the left hand path which is about 2 feet away from the official path but divided by a hedge because the small field with the footpath was full of sheep and lambs resting by the gate - I didn't want to disturb them.

I was walking into the sunlight so couldn't see properly but could just about make out a figure a short distance away, a shot was fired into the air followed by 3 more as I walked the length of the hedge. I was really quite worried and hurried through the gate at the end whereupon the shots stopped.

I believe that the gun was either a rifle or a shotgun as the report was pretty loud.

I appreciate that I was off the official footpath strictly speaking but was doing so for purely altruistic reasons (of course he didn't know that).

Should I take this further or was the farmer within his rights? I wish he had just approached me and I could have explained what I was doing and why. The whole incident was pretty unnerving if I'm honest.

Have spoken to a couple of locals who say that the farmer is well known for getting irate about people walking off the right of way.

Any advice please gratefully received

OP posts:
DampAndRotten · 16/05/2015 23:39

Please report this to the police

cozietoesie · 16/05/2015 23:39

4 shots is a bit more that 'testing' Madame.

Original poster
unexpectedplaces · 16/05/2015 23:39

Flora funnily enough I wasn't overly concerned until I told a friend and my DH when I got home, they both thought it far more serious than I had initially.

OP posts:
AgentZigzag · 16/05/2015 23:40

I don't know anything about sheep/lambs, but wouldn't shots being fired near them shit them up more than a dog walking to heel with their owner?

I'm not sure you'd be justified going to the police just on it being coincidental, you didn't see that it was him and even if you did, you don't know why he was doing it.

If he'd have called out a warning or come up afterwards and given you a bollocking then it would be different, but whoever it was didn't so you can't know.

snowglobemouse · 16/05/2015 23:40

you had your off lead dog on his land that has lambs and sheep on it. I'm not surprised he fired a few warning shots. that doesn't mean he was going to aim at you!

Hakluyt · 16/05/2015 23:41

No probably about it. Can't believe you didn't put your dog on a lead around sheep. The farmer would have been within his rights to shoot him.

Original poster
unexpectedplaces · 16/05/2015 23:41

Scarlett am only thinking local community police tbh. Just to have a word with him I guess? If his hand had slipped or something it could have been pretty serious.

OP posts:
Original poster
unexpectedplaces · 16/05/2015 23:42

Totally agree if dog had been worrying the sheep. We had passed them though.

OP posts:
PinkGinny · 16/05/2015 23:43

Dog just needs to be under control not on a lead as per the legislation.

That said it much easier to show control if a lead was used.

But yes I would report it to the police.

TheWintersmith · 16/05/2015 23:43

floral she is so not overreacting. I was a class 1'firearm owner. (Rifle)

If I did this I would expect a swift and fairly unfriendly visit from the police - the armed response team.

The firearm certificate is issued on the understanding you will behave in a safe manner, what he did was totally illegal and unbelievably irresponsible. The police would be very interested I'm sure.

Charleybarley · 16/05/2015 23:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CatMilkMan · 16/05/2015 23:44

If he had fired at your dog or above your dog because he thought it was a threat on his land that is understandable but he fired above you.
4 shots? Do you know the sound difference between rifle rounds and shotgun shells? It sounds like it was unlikely to be a double barrel over under or side by side shotgun or a bolt action rifle.
If you want to be cautious on the farmers behalf, go and talk to him and explain what happened, if he is sorry and won't do it again I might leave it.
But personally I would go to the police, you can't shoot at someone for being on your land or because of the persons dog.
He is irresponsible and a dangerous fucking menace.
That is assuming you are being 100% truthful.

Hakluyt · 16/05/2015 23:44

"Totally agree if dog had been worrying the sheep. We had passed them though."

Doesn't matter. A dog off a lead around sheep can be shot. It doesn't actually have to worry one first.

DampAndRotten · 16/05/2015 23:47

Scarlettsmummy - vast numbers of offences involve one person's word against another's; that doesn't mean it's not worth reporting. Even if reporting the incident does not result in the farmer being charged with an offence the matter will be investigated and he will be spoken to.

Original poster
unexpectedplaces · 16/05/2015 23:48

I'm being 100% truthful CatMilkMan. I don't know the difference between various rifles/shotguns though no. It was pretty loud though, sort of like the sound of the crow scarers?

I really think it was over the right of way and not the sheep though. Could be totally wrong of course and he just happened to be shooting at a couple of rats, who knows. It definitely lasted the length of the hedge though as when I left the field I had to continue up a little track for a bit and I thought if he keeps shooting then I know it wasn't me (rats or whatever) but it stopped the minute I left the field.

OP posts:
SoldierBear · 16/05/2015 23:48

Why wasnt your dog on a lead? Unless it is a trained sheepdog that is a really stupid thing to do. There is always the change it could have gone after the sheep. Putting it on a lead is a no-brainer.
Not excusing the farmer though.

fairyfuckwings · 16/05/2015 23:48

I don't have a doh but wouldn't shooting a gun make it more likely that the dog would break from your heel?

I'd report to the police. You can't shoot at people whether on your land, or not!

fairyfuckwings · 16/05/2015 23:49

Dog not doh!

Original poster
unexpectedplaces · 16/05/2015 23:49

Hakluyt the sheep really were a good way behind me though. I was in effect walking through an 'empty' field.

OP posts:
OffTheBackOfALaurie · 16/05/2015 23:50

I imagine the police would very much like to know if anyone is firing a gun around people without warning them! His field or not you can't just go firing guns because you are irate, or 'testing your gun' or whatever in the proximity of dog walkers!

Yes, farmers can shoot dogs actually worrying sheep , by nit use the gun to scare or warn people.

And if it is because he is fed up with people straying off the path, how much more irate may he get next time? Shooting because you have lost your cool; police.

MadameJulienBaptiste · 16/05/2015 23:50

So you'd walked through all his sheep with your dog off a lead?

I despair at some people's utter lack of consideration for the farming community.

How close it was to your heel is irrelevant, it should have been on a lead. on someone else's land. Among their livestock.

DampAndRotten · 16/05/2015 23:50

Please DON'T go and speak to him yourself!

Original poster
unexpectedplaces · 16/05/2015 23:51

Dog didn't react to the gun at all.

I will put him on the lead in future to avoid any upset although still think the sheep are a red herring here.

OP posts:
Original poster
unexpectedplaces · 16/05/2015 23:52

Madame sheep were long gone.

Damp no definitely won't go and approach him myself.

OP posts:
CatMilkMan · 16/05/2015 23:52

It doesn't matter if it was over the right of way or the sheep.
I think you absolutely need to report him, he has shown that he is dangerous and the police need to know this.
Tell the police what you have said here, this isn't just about the harm he could have done to you it's about the harm he could have done or could to to others.