To just let my dog off anyway

[LittleYellowIceCream]

Live on a small rural street where we are all quite close with neighbours.

At the end of the street is a farm, they don't use one of the fields closest to the road so a long long time ago they turned it into a 'dog walking' field for the people on the street (and whoever really).

There is a public footpath through the field which is clearly marked and runs up the side near the wall and then through the other fields. You have to enter this field from the road and there is a big sign which says 'X STREET DOG WALKING FIELD' and a message about picking up after them etc...

It's nice, the dogs often play on there together and we all have a chat if we happen to be on at the same time etc...

However since this warm weather I've seen about 3/4 families all sat down on the field on blankets having picnics. Not with their own dogs, just them.

It means none of us feel we can let our dogs off to run around and play.

One neighbour did point out the sign and said it may not be the best place for a picnic but was ignored.

WIBU to just let my dog off his lead anyway? He does have good recall but I obviously can't guarantee his frisbee isn't going to land in someone's 'picnic area' whilst we play fetch!

There's not many places dogs can just have a run off lead round here that are closed off and safe. There is a park where people can have picnics literally 5 minutes away!

Its really annoying me. I don't take him to the park because I don't want to get in people's way when they are trying to sit/eat/kids playing etc.. this is the one area that is supposed to be for dogs to run about off lead and I feel like I can't even let him off here now either.

[midnightstar66]

Is it an official dog walking space? Who owns the land, is it council owned?

It stated it clearly in the OP that the field is owned by the farm and that the owners have put up a sign to state its a dog field for X street. I imagine a designated dog field would have more dog toileting residue than your average picnic area so I can't say it's somewhere I'd picnic anyway but YANBU to let your dog off OP

[twilightcanine]

I'd think it was fairly obvious that it was a "picnic at your own risk" situation!!

From a moral pov I totally agree. However, it's worth the OP (and other dog owners) knowing that the Dangerous Dogs Act

a) applies to private land
b) does not apply to trespassers (but I wonder if this situation is totally clear cut enough to use that as a get out)
c) does not require the dog to actually be aggressive to contravene the Act

just worth knowing...

[PrincessHoneysuckle]

You are in the right.Imagine if someone let a dog of a lead in a designated picnic area there would be uproar!

[Thisismytimetoshine]

Yes, it is stated clearly, I didn't read it properly

[Alittleshortforaspacepooper]

It is private land. If the owners say it's for you and your neighbours to let the dogs off the lead, then go for it.

[Littlemeadow123]

@TheLightSideOfTheMoon

I'm really sorry you had a bad experience with a dog today. Aggressive dogs should always be kept on leads.

However, not all dogs are savage monsters. it is a really small percentage of dogs who are aggressive. So, and I mean this in the nicest of ways, it is unreasonable to expect all dogs to be kept on leads at all times.

[EveryDayIsADuvetDay]

I feel very uncomfortable with dogs being around families/children so presumably you wouldn't choose to sit in the middle of a field designated for dog walking to have a leisurely picnic.
The picnicers can see the signs - I wouldn'y be that bothered by them being there, but equally don't let them put you off of using the space for its intended purpose.
and I agree with PP that suggested training your dog to go for the sausages/pork pies/whatever. How good is he at liberating bottles of wine in a game of 'fetch'?

[DoctorHildegardLanstrom]

If your dog is friendly and good recall, I would give them the one warning and then let them off the lead.

My dog on the other hand is so food oriented that I wouldn't be able to take the risk, but I would be seething and making sure I tell them its a dog walking area

[Pika09]

@Cherrysoup your dogs might have the most perfect recall in the world, but you cant account for the reactions of other dogs or people. Your dogs being off the lead can mean that you have to get within 2m of another person to pull dogs apart or pull a dog off a child, etc.

So yes, dogs off the lead is selfish, stupid and irresponsible at this time. Dogs can be exercised just as well on the lead as off it.

[NoMorePoliticsPlease]

Shouldnt the dog free people only walk on the public footpath?

[blacksax]

Why would anyone in their right mind want to have a picnic in a field full of dog shit?

[viques]

I think you would be kind to warn them that they are in a free dog field so they might want to clear their picnic stuff/call their kids over before you unleash your hound. Perhaps they have never come across a dog walking field before, I certainly haven't, if they have an issue you can point them to the owners property and tell them to take it up with her.

[Wewearpinkonwednesdays]

Dogs can be exercised just as well on the lead as off it.

No they can't.

[Pika09]

No they can't

Yes, they really can if you want to put the effort in.

[Alb1]

If your dog is friendly and has good recall I’d let him off. Me and my kids regularly picnic in parks and regularly have dogs run up to us and sniff around/occasionally try and grab something, and my kids find it hilarious. They no to just stand still if a dog runs up to them and wait for someone to get rid of it (they are 3 and 5) and not stroke dogs, so not everyone is terrified of dogs and would be angry at you for having your dog off the lead anyway. But they absolutely have no right to be mad anyway when picnicking in a dog walking field. I agree a sign from the owner saying no picnics could help a lot. I can’t say I’d give it much thought if I wanted to picnic in an empty ‘dog walking’ field if there were no dogs playing in it when I arrived (because we arnt bothered by dogs and would move if we realised we were being a pain), but if it said no picnics I would absolutely pay attention to that.

[Hoggleludo]

My kids are also strangely terrified of dogs

I also hate dogs running up to them. Etc. Makes them scream. Not good. Blah blah

For that reason alone. I wouldn't picnic in a dog walking field!!! I've also been attacked by a dog. I'm not scared of dogs at all. For that reason. I wouldn't enter a dog walking field.


Surely common sense here people?

[CheeseCakeSunflowers]

As its private property its up to the owner to decide who can and can't use it. I agree with messaging the owner and checking if she wants picnics in there, if she does then you need to keep your dog away from the picnic, if she doesn't then let your dog run free and inform anyone who complains that they are tresspassing.

[ChandlerIsTheBestFriend]

Dogs can be exercised just as well on the lead as off it.

Lol.

That’s like you trying to go for a jog with a toddler holding your hand. One of two things will happen either you won’t run or the toddler will get hurt. Dogs can’t run freely while being held on a lead.

[Floatyboat]

As its private property its up to the owner to decide who can and can't use it.

Not if it's a public footpath.

Surely you can guarantee a frisbee won't hit them?! And if you're dog is well trained I don't see why you can't co-exist.

[rwalker]

I'm absolutely the first to say and believe that dogs should not be off the lead in public places.(due to having kids knocked over, chased ,shaking after getting out the sea and spaying kids, picnic on beach ruined by dog running over it and lastly one shitting on towel on beach)
But it isn't a public place TBF the sign just says dog walking perhaps dog exercise area might make it clearer .

[lynsey91]

@Pika09 NO dogs cannot be exercised properly on lead. Well not largish dogs that need lots of exercise anyway.

I have 2 dogs that need a lot of exercise but don't have great recall. They are a breed well known to have terrible recall. In fact most owners of this breed don't let them off.

We are lucky that we have a field fairly close that we can let them off in. You do have to pay to use it but it is worth it.

There are hardly any secure and safe places to let dogs run if they do not have perfect recall and you absolutely should be able to let your dog have a good run.

I would probably speak to the picnic family and explain that it is a dog exercise field and also say you are going to let your dog off lead to run. If they are stupid enough to stay (quite likely as they seem unable to read) that is up to them.

[Pika09]

That’s like you trying to go for a jog with a toddler holding your hand. One of two things will happen either you won’t run or the toddler will get hurt. Dogs can’t run freely while being held on a lead

Don't be silly. You're exercising your dog, not yourself. If your dog wants to run, you match the pace of your dog, not drag them along behind you.

It's not difficult.

[Yokohamajojo]

Wow you are so lucky to have a field like that near you! You should definitely let your dog off and if they say something, just say it's a dog field. I would be royally pissed off as mine has got good recall and is very friendly but a total scavenger so he would go for the sausages. Good luck

[LittleYellowIceCream]

I don't know about anyone else but my dog is somewhat faster than me...

[WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat]

I think if the field had a sign saying 'Picnic Field' then dog-owners / kite flyers / frisbee and knife throwers etc. should respect that, conversely if the sign says 'Dog Walking Field' then picnickers et-al should respect that or tolerate the any interruptions / sausage thefts etc. If the sign said 'Beware of the Bull' I wonder if they would still picnic there ?