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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:
stanley10 · 14/05/2020 15:21

Lol @Pika09, try keeping up with my beagle when she’s at full pelt!

It’s not just about running. Lots of dogs like a good play / wrestle with other dogs and that’s impossible if they’re on the lead. I don’t think you’ve had much experience with dogs...

OP is totally reasonable letting her dog off. Agree with PP that she should politely warn the picnickers that she’s going to do it before hand obviously. Maybe they’re just silly and didn’t see the sign...?

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 14/05/2020 15:22

If there's nowhere else local for families to picnic then YABU because those poor kids have been stuck inside for weeks.

Eh?? You can’t just let yourself into private land because you fancy a picnic regardless of how long you’ve been inside for!

vanillandhoney · 14/05/2020 15:23

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.

But dogs being kept on a lead is not a Covid regulation. Dogs have to be kept under close control - if you can do that without using a lead, then you're fine.

Yokohamajojo · 14/05/2020 15:24

If there's nowhere else local for families to picnic then YABU because those poor kids have been stuck inside for weeks.

And the fact that OP clearly states that there is a public park 5 minutes away! wow can people not be bothered to read the shortest of texts?

Lllot5 · 14/05/2020 15:25

Who the heck would have a picnic in a dog walking field. With the best efforts of all concerned there’s bound to be some missed pooh. Let your dog off the the lead I would.

midnightstar66 · 14/05/2020 15:28

If there's nowhere else local for families to picnic then YABU because those poor kids have been stuck inside for weeks.

I know people don't always rtft- sometimes me included but at least read the original post

There is a park where people can have picnics literally 5 minutes away

1forAll74 · 14/05/2020 15:29

It is all legitimate, so keep having fun with your dog .The picnic people seem to be dumb and silly. It sounds nice to have a special doggy place !!

BreastedBoobilyToTheStairs · 14/05/2020 15:29

If there's nowhere else local for families to picnic then YABU because those poor kids have been stuck inside for weeks.

Excellent! I've been stuck inside too so I'll go and have a picnic in the gorgeous and massive garden owned by the people at the end of my street, glad to know we're all sharing private land so freely. Maybe take the kids to play on their climbing frame too?

Mummyoflittledragon · 14/05/2020 15:31

YANBU
I cannot believe some of these comments. Ridiculous. It is private land and you and your neighbours have permission for exclusive use of the field for off lead dog walking. Ergo the picnickers are trespassing. Anyone saying otherwise offer put their gardens up for use of random picnickers. And yes, please tell the land owner. They may be causing damage to the animals or surroundings.

Windyatthebeach · 14/05/2020 15:32

Unless you have symptoms nobody has been stuck in for weeks..
My dc have been down the beach every day for weeks..

SoupDragon · 14/05/2020 15:33

I can't quite grasp how some people think it is fine to picnic on private land which is clearly designated as a dog walking area.

SoupDragon · 14/05/2020 15:34

If there's nowhere else local for families to picnic then YABU because those poor kids have been stuck inside for weeks.

I assume you are offering up your (hypothetical) garden for people to picnic in.

midnightstar66 · 14/05/2020 15:35

@Windyatthebeach remember on mn there has been a higher proportion than the norm of the competitively miserable, surviving off absolute basics and only leaving their property to put out the bins. People were berating a later for putting a chair out and having a glass of wine on their own driveway.

lyralalala · 14/05/2020 15:41

Speak to the farm owner. Don't be surprised if they eventually give up allowing the access - selfish twats have caused that to happen here.

Local famer had two fields that he rented out for very low cost. One for dog walking, which was a small annual cost (went toward the bag bins) and one you could hire hourly for playing with kids or whatever. The local park is bordered by the river so it's not very safe if you have a bolter.

Sadly so many people took to just climbing the fence and causing hassles that they no longer offer either. They only started both to try and keep people from wandering into their in-use fields anyway.

oldperson1 · 14/05/2020 15:42

Do you know all of the other dog owners who use the field? If you do could you all not go to the field together and politely approach the picnickers en masse so to speak , something like oh this field is for dog owners to use ie let the dogs of their leads , sorry if you didn’t realize
maybe they might take more notice than just one lone dog owner speaking to them

Moondust001 · 14/05/2020 15:44

No. I was attacked by a dog yesterday and honestly think they should be kept on leads.
What a ridiculous statement. If a dog is aggressive then it shouldn't be out off a lead and un-muzzled. Full stop. But I don't assume that all humans are stupid just because one makes a stupid statement. You should not assume all dogs are unsafe because of one dog. And it is the owner that is at fault.

That said, the area being discussed has been designated as a place for dogs to be walked by the landowner. If they have agreed that, then that is what the land is to be used for. So if others want to use it they need to accept that dogs will be there and off the lead. If they don't like it, take the picnic somewhere else.

Thymelord · 14/05/2020 15:45

If your dog wants to run, you match the pace of your dog, not drag them along behind you

I sadly can't run at 40mph.

Although I do think this poster is quite clearly on the wind-up.

Littlemeadow123 · 14/05/2020 15:45

@DrinkVeneer

Actually, it's only certain parks and public areas that are ordering dogs to be kept on leads. It doesn't apply to the whole country.
You can let your dog off if you are in an area where you are not likely to encounter others, providing that you call it back and put it on the lead if you do have to pass someone.

Littlemeadow123 · 14/05/2020 15:46

The dogs have to be kept on leads anywhere, at all times was a law made up by the mumsnet police.

shamalidacdak · 14/05/2020 15:46

Well if the farmer is not going to enforce it there's not much you can do. The last thing you want is your dog attacking a child.

countrygirl99 · 14/05/2020 15:47

LOL at this thread - it has it al, the entitled to picnic on private land gang, the dog haters AND the let's make up Covid regs crew. Is there anyone missing?

SnakesandKnives · 14/05/2020 15:47

@SunshineCake. I think nearly every mumsnet thread shows a staggering lack of reading, comprehension and critical thinking. It’s amazing to me how keen people are to have an argument or opinion about something which wasn’t actually there in the first place!

However, as usual, @Veterinari is completely correct in her summation.

LST · 14/05/2020 15:49

@sham what makes you think dogs enjoy attacking kids? I wouldn't stop letting my dog off because some fools had a picnic in a field.

Thymelord · 14/05/2020 15:51

If there's nowhere else local for families to picnic then YABU because those poor kids have been stuck inside for weeks

^^ That is hilarious. Just classic entitlement. No, the 'poor kids' cannot just go having a picnic on private land.

LST · 14/05/2020 15:52

@littlemeadow 🤣 I give up telling people 'under control' and 'on lead' are 2 completely different things. It's only mumsnet and the comments section on daily mail articles on fb that people believe this made up rule