To have gut reaction something's off.

[Carouselfish]

Live rurally. Lane with approx. 30 houses spread out over a mile, leading to small village (no shops) one way and main road the other way. Sunday, high snow banks on sides of road and slush all over. Driving into town, third of way up the lane, had to squeeze past group of 8 men, all about early thirties, very grumpy looking, with collection of dogs, mastiff, couple of lurchers, several little black terriers, making their way down towards the village.
I know it sounds very League of Gentlemen, but they weren't from the area, didn't have guns so not poaching, weren't dressed in wellies or walking boots or anything (I was passenger so had time to look). Would you just say large group of male friends who all have dogs out for a Sunday afternoon stroll somewhere random that was making them all very grumpy or what? It just seemed weird.
DP has suggested dognappers giving their stolen dogs a toilet break! I would have said poachers looking for places to come back to, especially as in the last couple of months have had two late at night incidences in the neighbouring field of people creeping about with dogs. But...they didn't look at all 'countryish'. Maybe those have made me paranoid...
MN verdict?

If they were ferreting they'd have had ferrets. And probably rabbits. And probably not a mastiff. Funny time of the day to be lamping.

Ferrets are often carried in coats and game pockets, especially in cold weather. Wouldn't necessarily be obvious.

If they were ferreting they'd have had ferrets

Round here it would be hare coursing and it would be a band of men from a particular ‘itinerant’ but actually housed group, who also burgle houses and steal dogs for dog fights, so I always call the non-emergency police or the local estate office.

Biggreygoose

The OP has said they weren't dressed 'country'. They won't have been wearing coats like that.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5328811/Dog-owner-filmed-terriers-viciously-mauling-badger.html

Depends very much on definition of 'country' - but point taken.

Yes do report, RSPCA and local Police. A local landowner had terrible trouble with it, and had to get security in at one point.

FWIW had I seen this in and around the fields near me, I'd have called the farmer ASAP (friends anyway, so yes I'd have them on speed dial!).

Even if they'd been taking an innocent, grumpy stroll, nobody wants a big group of strange dogs wandering about when there's livestock (including lambing ewes) about.

I texted them once when I spotted a large group of mums and small children having a barbecue in a field full of cows and calves. Quite what they were thinking I don't know, but they weren't going to listen to me

Agree with Penggggwn.

Lurches aren’t for fighting, and these days that usually occurs in barns and other hellish but indoor places.

You don’t lamp in daylight!

Ferreting would need big pockets or satchels.

You don’t course with a mastiff, and I’ve never seen coursers stupid enough to be out without boots on.

Innocent I think. A lot of prejudice on this thread: plenty of men walk dogs with their friends. My husband takes our four out with his mate and his three dogs. If we lost at rugby and it’s cold they both grump!

What about a group of men sent out to walk the dogs whilst wives cook? Assumptive thinking, but oh look, that’s full circle!

Pengggwn

Urban hunting - It's a 'thing'. Groups of men travel with mixed packs of dogs to hunt and kill anything they can find. It's a well known criminal activity and it's massively increased recently.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/urban-hunters-trapping-killing-wild-10240259

(warning: distressing images)

"If they were ferreting they'd have had ferrets"
Sometimes things have to be spelled out........

BoreOfWhabylon

I'm not unaware. It's also possible they were going to rob the Bank of England.

Unless the Bank of England has relocated to some fields in rural Borsetshire, that's not exactly likely is it?

The OP said in the title it was a gut reaction. We weren't there. I don't think she would have ever have thought to start a thread on the internet if she had just seen a few dogwalkers lol!

Better safe than sorry in my book. If they are seen again then someone might keep an eye on them if they've been given a head's up. If they are doing nothing illegal, then it won't matter.

iBiscuit

No, it isn't.

@Pengggwn

I see sneering and childish sarcasm is the best you can manage.

It's pointless engaging with you.

Lamping generally happens at night!

pengwwn is being strangely defensive of these people

@Biggreygoose, wow, I truly believed it was.
About 18 months ago, where I live, we had a trio of land/Range Rover type vehicles, letting themselves into the local fields, lamping and running their dogs. They were travellers actually, but we were asked to phone the Police immediately, if we saw them again.
Come to think of it, the crime, must have been trespassing, not lamping.
My appologies for misleading anyone, thanks Goose, you live and learn. 😄

She's just sharpening her claws waiting for some poor soul to post something about schools or teachers.

OP asked if her gut reaction that the scenario looked a bit off was unreasonable. Many of us who have seen it happening in their own localities have said it could be that they might have been engaging in illegal blood sports, given the breeds of dog involved.

Equally might have been a bunch of lovely chaps out walking the family pooches.

The rural police team can do what they want with the information. Nobody specific is having accusations made against them and nobody named. If they were up to no good then the sighting might be useful info. If not, no harm done.

Yes of course it happens in the dark, hence we saw the lights.

I thought dog hunting too but that's normal done in garages / private land isn't it?

My first thought when I read your OP, Carouselfish, was that it sounds very much like hare coursing. I also suggest reporting it to your local Wildlife Officer.

Dog hunting in a garage?