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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Staying safe when out walking alone (with dog)

70 replies

WordleInTwo · 04/02/2023 14:44

I go for long walks every day with our dog.

I prefer being out in the countryside - quiet places, away from other people!

Dh doesn't think this is safe and wants us to share our location on our phones 'just in case'

I have always refused as it seems like spying rather safety. AIBU?

What do you do?

OP posts:
DistrictCommissioner · 04/02/2023 14:46

Nothing. I don’t feel at risk.

RDAnna · 04/02/2023 14:46

I have location share on with my family. I think it's a good little tool. I rarely look at it although sometimes if I come home and DH isn't here when I expect him to be I'll check on it. Puts my mind at ease.

Findyourneutralspace · 04/02/2023 14:48

I’m not a fan of monitoring each other’s movements but I think in this situation your DH has a point. Only in the event that you have an accident while you’re out and need help, as you like to be in areas where you aren’t likely to be within shouting distance of a passer by.
You can just switch it on when you go walking and put it off again once you’re back in civilisation.

Bamboozle123 · 04/02/2023 14:49

My friends installed these apps after Sarah everard.

The reality is by the time someone realises you're late back or missing, you'll be long dead if you were in trouble.

Live life without fear.

Mrsjayy · 04/02/2023 14:51

I think its sensible and definitely not spying. You can switch it on and off if you like.

Moxysright · 04/02/2023 14:52

I share my location with people. I’m never anywhere I shouldn’t be so don’t mind

MavisMcMinty · 04/02/2023 14:56

I walk (trespass) my dogs in woods and fields where only wild animals and the farmer owning the land ever walk. My concern is not that I’ll be attacked, but that I’ll break a leg and never be found, and that my stupid dogs will be useless at raising the alarm.

Untitledsquatboulder · 04/02/2023 15:00

I don't share my location and I don't really see how it would keep me safe if I did. If something happens it would be over before anyone thought to look for me. And the chances of anything happening in the first place are really small.

gogohmm · 04/02/2023 15:01

I feel very safe with my dog, I pity any person who tried to touch me or anyone walking him, hes very protective - out walking he keeps an eye on everything, lays down after reassurance that it's a friend. At night he's not above a little growl or teeth showing if he's not sure about someone (especially on the lead, never more just a warning). I'm pretty sure he would put an attacker in hospital or worse. I should add he has never hurt anyone, he's very well trained, but he has strong instincts as a sheepdog!

wombat1a · 04/02/2023 15:03

You can turn it on/off, for one hour, for the rest of the day. DH and I use it, both of us default to it being off but turn it on when hiking, cycling etc etc so if something happens the other can at least see where we are.

Sadly enough a colleague playing sports started to feel ill and decided to go home, on the way back they stopped because they got worse, had a heart attack and got taken to hospital and died. Their family took 16 hrs to find them because although they had turned 'find my phone on' they hadn't shared it. One of the family managed to hack into their laptop and use the 'find my phone' in there to discover the phone at in a hospital.

Another one got fell off the side of a mountain while cycling alone and even though they were unable to reach their phone (broken leg) after being late for 2 hrs their family came to find them and would never have found them otherwise.

WeAreTheHeroes · 04/02/2023 15:03

MavisMcMinty · 04/02/2023 14:56

I walk (trespass) my dogs in woods and fields where only wild animals and the farmer owning the land ever walk. My concern is not that I’ll be attacked, but that I’ll break a leg and never be found, and that my stupid dogs will be useless at raising the alarm.

I'll bite: what's wrong with public footpaths and rights of way? I hope you clean up after your dog.

PuttingDownRoots · 04/02/2023 15:05

I never wear earphones etc so I can hear what's around me.

Location... honestly after the missing dog walker currently I'm considering it.

MavisMcMinty · 04/02/2023 15:07

I live in a wood. Plenty of footpaths and bridleways that have nothing “wrong” with them but my cats usually come on our walks, so I prefer to go off the beaten track.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 04/02/2023 15:08

I'm don't really feel threatened because I have two large dogs, who can look intimidating.

But I does make me think.

OnMyWayToSenility · 04/02/2023 15:11

You can share your location temporarily or until your home with WhatsApp!

Press share location with 'contact'

Will will say for an hour or forever
But you can switch it off at anytime

Findyourneutralspace · 04/02/2023 15:16

Chances of having a medical episode or accident are much higher than being attacked by a stranger.

Aurorabored · 04/02/2023 15:18

I don‘t think your DP knowing where you are in real time is going to help you in terms of safety while walking. It might help show where you were when something happened but by then it’s a bit late.

I used to walk my old dog through countryside where it was normal not to see anyone else for 90 minutes. I never felt unsafe. I stuck using only one in-ear headphone so I could always hear what was going on around me and always had my phone on me.

MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 04/02/2023 15:19

It would be handy if you fell down an old mineshaft or something. Not going to help you much if you come up against someone intent on doing you harm.

WFHbore2023 · 04/02/2023 15:29

I share location with my partner - I don't see it as an invasion of privacy or spying, because if we didn't have it he would simply call me and I'd tell him where I am anyway, location sharing just cuts out the middleman.

Another option could be an AirTag or alternative.

You could pop it in your pocket when you leave for your walk, take it back out when get home.

Also, if you have a smart watch you might be able to call emergency services from it in case of an emergency, I can with my Apple Watch

Gh12345 · 04/02/2023 15:31

Yes turn it on. Of course he’s not spying on you

garlictwist · 04/02/2023 15:31

I go out on the fells alone a lot. DP has my location but to be honest he wouldn't realise I wasn't back until hours later so wouldn't think to look. I don't think there's any inherent danger being alone apart from injury.

Highfivemum · 04/02/2023 15:34

I share my location with my DH and DB. And they share there’s with me. We do not spy and trust each other. Only ever use it out if concern.

toomuchlaundry · 04/02/2023 15:38

We have share location on phones. I am more likely to fall over and hurt myself than be hurt by someone else!

PaintByLetters · 04/02/2023 15:38

Sharing location would have made no difference for this missing woman - it's linked to her phone which was found where she had been with 20 minutes of the last sighting of her - it would tell the police and her family nothing more than they already know.

girlfriend44 · 04/02/2023 15:42

Of course you should yabu.

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