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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hire a private field to walk dog and have a sandwich?

233 replies

millerjane · 13/04/2020 13:57

Is this a reasonable or unreasonable thing to do.

2 mile car journey required.

Couple had a sarnie on a blanket whilst the dog "zoomed" around.

OP posts:
CuriousaboutSamphire · 13/04/2020 14:28

We have a muddaddy, so hot water and soap are available to us, lots of people who walk their dogs in muddy places have something similar.

cherrybunx0 · 13/04/2020 14:29

@BrieAndChilli you can wash your hands, use your knuckles to press a key pad, wear gloves when topping up petrol if needed. it doesn't make more sense to go to a more crowded place I'm sorry your argument there is ludicrous

IndecentFeminist · 13/04/2020 14:30

Honestly, I can't get wound up about a 2 mile car journey. At all.

Gallade · 13/04/2020 14:31

I think it's a good idea. Avoiding people and letting the dog go wild when he's probably going stir crazy at home.

Lockheart · 13/04/2020 14:31

If they were hiring it for a party, they would be very unreasonable.

Hiring it so they can get some exercise, space and sunshine (assuming it was this weekend), and let their dog have some good exercise far away from other people? I really don't see the issue.

2 miles isn't exactly a trek either - they could have walked that in half a hour. And if you're inside a car it will be quicker and you're much less likely to spread anything.

Technically, they shouldn't have done it. But I really don't see it as risky. If they'd gone to their normal, more crowded dog walking place then they would have been more likely to catch or spread it to others.

OhCaptain · 13/04/2020 14:31

I think it’s a great idea and I’d do it in a heartbeat!

If it’s within the designated distance allowed (not in UK so not sure) then why not?

Crafting1Queen · 13/04/2020 14:32
Biscuit
Hullygully · 13/04/2020 14:33

up to them

PicsInRed · 13/04/2020 14:34

It's the field equivalent of a 2nd home.

It's not permitted to travel there and that's that.

Genevieva · 13/04/2020 14:34

There is no designated distance and 2 miles is not far. It keeps them away from other dog walkers, so if they are worried about getting the virus then it would enable them to walk their dog without fear. Not an opportunity many people would have, but a good idea. People are also allowed to travel to stables to care for horses.

Nofunkingworriesmate · 13/04/2020 14:35

I’d absolutely love my own private field, I’m so stressed out by people dodging
I get in a car everyday and do a 5 min drive to a nice walk
If you are happy walking around your streets every fucking day , good on you , I want space and variety
Totally sick of all the pettiness , if you are bored start volunteering rather than posting all these petty mean boring threads about the fucking rules!!!!

TSSDNCOP · 13/04/2020 14:36

How much did they pay for the field?

rookiemere · 13/04/2020 14:37

Why have you posted about this OP if you don't want them to be castigated ? Perhaps I deserve an online slagging as well - when I took the dog out I brought my lunch and sat at a bench at the top of the hill and ate it whilst enjoying the scenery. Honestly the high infection rates and deaths at the minute were caused by big events and travel not being cancelled when it was clear we were about to be deluged with covid 19, not some poor couple trying to do the best for their reactive dog and having a picnic on their own outside.

cherrybunx0 · 13/04/2020 14:37

@PicsInRed "and that's that so go to the more crowded places cos that's the rulez"

bengalcat · 13/04/2020 14:39

They obviously did a risk assessment and felt this was the best thing for them and their dog . I'd have no problem with it . Before I go to work ( as is the norm for me in fact ) I take my dog out early to one of two park/common areas and let her trot / whizz around .
When I come home from walking the dog / work I always wash my hands so it matters not one jot what I've touched . After work I'm in the shower and my clothes are in the wash .

whateverhappenstheremore · 13/04/2020 14:40

I think it's fine

Nekoness · 13/04/2020 14:40

“What don't people understand by "no unnecessary travel"? And what is wrong with putting your dog on a lead, and walking it for a mile or so around the streets?”

Walking a mile on streets where other people have touched and coughed on lots of hard surfaces is a much bigger risk than getting in a car and driving to an isolated locked field no one else can access.

The aim is to stop spread of infection. Why on earth do you think it’s better to walk in an urban street for a mile and both possibly spread or possibly pick up the virus from hard surfaces others have touched?

Madness, the lack of common sense.

Shmithecat2 · 13/04/2020 14:42

I hire a private paddock for an hour, twice a week. Its 6 miles away. My dogs need an off lead blast once in a while, but letting dogs off lead in a more busy environment just isn't possible or sensible right now. Everything I have to touch is sanistized before and after use. I don't take sandwiches though.

Joliany · 13/04/2020 14:43

Its fine.

vanillandhoney · 13/04/2020 14:44

I don't see a problem with it. We take our dog to a secure field near us 3-4 times a week so he can have a run about. Luckily for us it doesn't cost us anything as we know the owner!

I wouldn't sit and have a sandwich though, because dogs poo and I wouldn't have anywhere safe to wash my hands in between poop scooping and eating!

forkfun · 13/04/2020 14:45

It's not against the rules and seems like a good idea in their situation. I keep linking to this government page. www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do#can-i-walk-my-dog--look-after-my-horse

Last point on page:
. Can I drive to a national park or other green space to walk?
We advise you to stay local and use open spaces near to your home where possible – do not travel unnecessarily.

You can still go to the park for outdoor exercise once a day but only by yourself or within your household, not in groups.

We ask you to keep 2 metres apart from others outside your household at all times when outdoors.

Cherrysoup · 13/04/2020 14:49

Matt Hancock says it’s ok to drive for 5 minutes, I think 2 miles is too far.

WiddlinDiddlin · 13/04/2020 14:51

It is absolutely NOT against the rules.

The secure field owner needs insurance and those colleagues of mine who do this ahve checked with both their insurers and government as to whether they can still hire out their fields - they can.

If you need to take your dog for a safe off lead run about, to prevent harm/injury to your dog/yourself/others/meet animal welfare requirements (note those haven't been repealed, those of us who own animals still have to meet their needs!).

If you are travelling to the nearest facility to you, that is within a reasonable distance...

This IS fine.

cherrybunx0 · 13/04/2020 14:51

@Cherrysoup without traffic, which I'm assuming there wont be now, 2 miles is perfectly doable within 5 minutes

Original poster
millerjane · 13/04/2020 14:52

It was either £15 or £20 per hour.

OP posts: