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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To just let my dog off anyway

241 replies

LittleYellowIceCream · 14/05/2020 12:35

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! Grin

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.

OP posts:
DrinkVeneer · 14/05/2020 14:35

It's also prohibited under covid regulations.

PrincessConsueIaBananaHammock · 14/05/2020 14:36

It's also prohibited under covid regulations

Do they apply to private properties?

Veterinari · 14/05/2020 14:37

@Pika09

Do you not think it's selfish, irresponsible and rather entitled to go to a location designated for a specific activity and then willfully disrupt that activity by doing something you don't have permission for?

The activities here are irrelevant, and it's hysterical anti-dog frothing driving many posters. The issue is that the OP has permission to use the land for a specific purpose and random families do not, and therefore should not be disrupting her

Veterinari · 14/05/2020 14:37

It's also prohibited under covid regulations.

If you mean off-lead dog walking, you are wrong

SeeWhoRustsFirst · 14/05/2020 14:38

Footpaths give people a right to transit land. They don't (so far as I'm aware) give people a right to sit and have a picnic - particularly if it's in completely another part of the field. There's no doubt who's in the wrong here.

And breaking covid restrictions is not a criminal offence, except potentially in Wales, at least according to a BBC article I read the other day but now can't find. But I fail to see how that's relevant to the point in hand.

As for the lower life form comment.. There is nothing I want to say to you that's allowed under Talk Regulations.

SunshineCake · 14/05/2020 14:38

Don't throw your dog's toy near their picnic as that makes you a dick.

Maybe a bigger sign?

I just walked mine and came home early as far too many people in the field not observing the guidelines and one bloke threw his dog's frisbee towards my dog. Seemed surprised she ran to look after it. I gave him a couple of polite sentences to think about.

LST · 14/05/2020 14:38

@pika how? Explain to me how I am being selfish and irresponsible by playing ball with my dog no where near other people in a field I have view of all around?

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 14/05/2020 14:43

It's also prohibited under covid regulations

Not on private land surely?

Incidentally, it is not actually the LAW to have your dog on a lead (in normal times), they just must not be “dangerously out if control”, thus a well trained dog with good recall does not have to be on a lead.

www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/dog-laws-for-owners#contents-link-1

ivykaty44 · 14/05/2020 14:44

Why would people want to sit in a field where dogs regularly shit....... then eat

darrenlacey · 14/05/2020 14:45

Let your dog off the lead. It's a dog walking field 🤷🏻‍♀️

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 14/05/2020 14:48

Oh and although I grew up with dogs I have never had a dog if my own and have no desire to have one. I don’t go out of my way to see dogs but don’t actively avoid them. I certainly would not picnic or play a game of any sort on a field designated as a dog walking area.

therona · 14/05/2020 14:48

I would approach any families and say "hi, just so you know this is a dog walking field so I'm going to let my dog off the lead. Happy to wait a few minutes if you'd prefer to leave before I do?"

vanillandhoney · 14/05/2020 14:52

It's also prohibited under covid regulations.

No, it's not. You have to have your dog under control - that doesn't necessarily mean it has to be on a lead.

The reason they recommend keeping your dog on a lead at the moment just to keep them safe and so that people aren't asked to come out unnecessarily to help find them, and to prevent your dog approaching strangers and jumping at them.

But if your dog has good recall they don't need to be on a lead. Mine was on the beach this morning and wasn't on his lead once.

Papoy · 14/05/2020 14:53

There is no problem here until someone goes and talks to them, everyone is being pissed off only....

If a person politely goes there and tell them this is a dog area and whether they will be ok with dogs being off leash … that's would be a nice start.

If they say "go ahead, we know this is an area for dogs" then you let go of the dogs …
If not then you don't or say I am sorry but this is a field for dogs,
Hopefully you would just set them off knowing that they are there, not everyone is fine with dogs and it may cause more problems....

Yes it is common sense not to have a picnic there if it is clearly sign posted place for dog walking but also it is common sense to talk to others and warn them when they are making a mistake or didn't consider the all consequences of their actions... It doesn't always need to be a confrontation.

I think the world would be a better place if people talk to one another rather than sending passive aggressive posts (here, facebook, WhatsApp groups) which doesn't solve the problem - unless they happen to read it here - which is a slim chance ....

Sorry OP but you are right about them picking a wrong spot for picnic ... but this is the wrong tree to talk about it ....

SunshineCake · 14/05/2020 14:58

There are a lot of people on this thread who need some comprehension lessons.

okiedokieme · 14/05/2020 14:59

I would let mine off but he ignores other people and doesn't eat out of the house (even if I offer him treats) so ignores picnics.

therobin · 14/05/2020 15:00

* It's also prohibited under covid regulations Do they apply to private properties?

Yes, for example the police can intervene if you are inviting people into your home or garden or to other private land. They apply on places like livery yards too.

Straycatstrut · 14/05/2020 15:02

I walk and walk with my dog until I find an empty open field. But I live in the dales so I'm lucky - in that respect, believe me the bad luck outweighs it. She's an 11 month old springer spaniel she was bred to run and hunt if she isn't allowed she'll get depressed -and destroy the house and constantly bound at us. There is no way that she's missing out, especially now that people can drive and spread out more.

Bertucci · 14/05/2020 15:05

Yes, let your dog off.

TimeWastingButFun · 14/05/2020 15:05

If there's nowhere else local for families to picnic then YABU because those poor kids have been stuck inside for weeks. But in any case, as long as the dog doesn't go up to people then I'd let him off without the frisbee.

Allergictoironing · 14/05/2020 15:07

It's also prohibited under covid regulations.

Just re-read the relevant Covid regulation - nowhere does it say dogs should be kept on leads at all times.

Lets look at this another way. I think everyone can agree that you can let your dog out in your own garden. I've seen nothing that says you can't let other people take their dogs into your own garden as long as you observe social distancing (for the owners). There may be a public footpath that crosses the edge of your garden (yes, I know houses like this do exist). Does that mean people have the right to leave the path and have a picnic on your lawn? And you need to keep your own dog and your friend's dog on leads in your own garden because of this?

Same situation, except that this happens to be a field as opposed to being a cultivated garden.

Original poster
LittleYellowIceCream · 14/05/2020 15:14

If there's nowhere else local for families to picnic then YABU because those poor kids have been stuck inside for weeks. But in any case, as long as the dog doesn't go up to people then I'd let him off without the frisbee

It doesn't mean you can use land belonging to someone else to do it in though, especially when the owner has designated another use for it Confused

OP posts:
LST · 14/05/2020 15:14

@TimeWasting I'm am sure they can find somewhere else to picnic that isnt private land that is designated to walking dogs. Me personally, wouldn't car and have my off lead dog with us having a picnic. I wouldn't mind if other dogs came over to say hello. But that's just me.

McDougal · 14/05/2020 15:15

It's definitely the families having a picnic in a field potentially full of dog shit in the wrong here. I don't understand why they wouldn't choose somewhere where they're less likely to have their sandwiches nicked by a dog.

DD was bitten by a dog a few days ago in a park. Just a puppy (but German shepherd type so not small) but the owner was nowhere in sight for a good few mins so I had to fend it off until his lazy arse caught up. He then shouted at us when I had the audacity to tell him his dog should be on a lead and refused to believe that his dog had bitten our 7yo Hmm.

I have all the time in the world for dogs and responsible dog owners but certainly wouldn't sit in a field signed for dog walkers if I didn't want to be approached!

KatharinaRosalie · 14/05/2020 15:18

I would not ask for permission from people clearly in the wrong place. Just a friendly warning that 'Hey, just heads up, in case you didn't notice, this is a dog walking field, so I'm letting my dog off lead now'