I've posted before about people wondering through our fields (with or without their dogs), leaving gates open and their rubbish lying about. There is a well maintained right of way they could use, but no- they really seem to prefer to ignore this (and yes, it is well signposted) and use the more direct route through the fields. Not so bad during winter, but can be a pain during spring/summer. So it's starting up again and I am fed up.
There isn't much I can do about it, as the right to roam laws mean the public have the right to do so. In principle I wouldn't mind, but practical experience is that this is increasingly becoming problematic as so many people just do not seem to observe even the most basic responsibilities such as ensuring gates are closed behind them, not leaving litter and keeping their children and pets under control. It's not everyone, but a significant minority are really ignorant and irresponsible.
In the past week, we have had no less than 3 gates left wide open. There is livestock or horses in most of the fields but luckily no significant damage was done as not many escaped.
I have had to ask one family to take their rubbish with them rather than leave it (neatly tied in a plastic bag) and then watched gobsmacked as the mother later attempted to put it in our outside bin- she seemed surprised when I pointed out it was not a public refuse bin and to take it with her.
A couple were trying to let their small child "pat a lamb"- I hate to think what would have happened had they not been stopped from doing so. Same family also had to be asked to stop feeding the ponies (sugar cubes, apples), and father said "oh but she is enjoying it so much"- apparently I am "a miserable killjoy". They are not the first. This is not a petting zoo! Several of my neighbours have had similar- parents wanting their children to play with lambs (even calves!) for some reason. I have even had people (usually with their children) wandering into the yard to have a look at the horses and the lambing pens. I am genuinely gobsmacked that people feel this is appropriate without asking permission.
I already have padlocked the majority of the gates now to prevent them being left open. I have had to have signs warning of livestock in the fields etc. It annoys me that I have to do so. I am now going to look into methods to make it more difficult to get into the fields as it is getting beyond a joke.
Seriously, I am surprised at the number of people who just don't seem to know how to behave. Not sure what can be done though.