Harassed on a walk

[MooseBreath]

I just got back from a walk on a public footpath along a field with my dog and DS (13 months). This path is in a very open area and is frequently used by dog walkers, which are rarely on a lead as they tend to run about the field together. My dog, though not on a lead, was walking to heel on the grass rather than the path.

A jogger ran towards me and when she approached, she slowed down and changed directions so that she was walking alongside me (my dog was still on the grass to heel). The woman pulled out her phone and started filming me stating that if my "dog's shitty nose so much as touched her knee that she considers that harassment and she would use any means to get him away" from her.

I stopped walking and asked her to stop filming me and said that my dog has no interest in approaching her, then carried on walking a bit quicker, with my dog still by my side.

She continued to film me and walk alongside me saying she's "sick of everyone and their bloody dogs". I asked her to please stop following me, to which she said "I can walk wherever I please". I responded repeating my request to stop filming me and leave me alone. She followed me for a further few minutes, filming the entire time as my dog did nothing. Eventually the woman turned and left in a huff.

I wanted to turn and go home, but I certainly didn't want her to know where I live. AIBU to call 101 and report? It seems silly because she didn't touch me, my baby, or my dog, but she wouldn't go away, and I was worried that my dog might so much as follow a scent and set foot on the path. I don't know if she's done anything illegal, and I don't know if police could do anything, but I know how unsafe I felt.

@WonderBetty Oh wow, another one! A population of only ~30k, yet 3 posters on AIBU know exactly who I'm talking about.

What makes you think I was overlooked?
And if you ask a stupid question this far into a thread...x 🤷🏾‍♂️

Oh FFS... RTFT

The strategy of getting a body camera and keeping your dog on a lead (for its own well being and avoidence of doubt- I know that's not the real issue) is sensible.

Hopefully getting evidence of ongoing harassment will result in more action being taken to avoid further distress.

Hi @MooseBreath , based on the 3 other people who have confirmed the location I can say she has been doing this over a decade, which is when I moved out of the city. I think she is fairly troubled, but that doesn’t make it ok.
I found going in to Ely police station to be useful when I had some problems a few years ago as they can’t really avoid you, plus the community team used to be based there. Worth also popping over the road and seeing if ECDC can help- you have to push them but sometimes they can be helpful.

@Choosychoice in this instance the only human that was being hassled was op and it wasn’t by a dog.

@Keepingthingsinteresting Thank you.

I know you don’t want to call 999 but she sounds mentally disturbed. At this point I’d be scared for mine and my children’s safety, based on what other posters have said she’s more than capable of violence.

I would give it some more thought, please look after yourself.

I really hope something gets sorted soon? It's horrible.

I agree I'd phone 999 as soon as I saw her EVERY TIME!!

I was stalked once by an ex. I rang the police constantly. He went to court and admitted it thankfully.

Put your dog on a lead on a public footpath and report to 111. You done nothing wrong but putting the dog on the lead makes it's totally her strange behaviour and nothing you done. Sounds like she's a bit strange anyway

Silly how several people are clinging on to the dog and lead thing, when it is nothing to do with it really. Some people just hate dogs and will try and make out any negative interaction you have is because you have the audacity to have a dog (and a well behaved one at that).

I hope this gets sorted. Sounds like this lady is well known in your area for causing issues and distress. If she is ill, she needs help. If she is just nasty, then she needs punishing.
Either way, it is having a huge impact on your life. Keep on filming and reporting.

It has nothing to do with the dog. In the month since this thread was started the woman has been harassing the OP and her children repeatedly even when they don’t have the dog. At least three other posters know the exact woman, who is known for harassing and following other women in that town.

This is a mental health and policing issue.

Yes it has and no it isn't.
The harassment of the OP has zero to do with her dog, off lead or not, as she's being harassed when her dog isn't there.

Try to keep up.

Always other women harassing another woman. Sorry this happened to you I bet she would have never done that to a male or group of people

Take your dog off the lead. Dogs can be off the lead legally in this country. This woman and anyone else who doesn't like dogs can go live elsewhere if they have an issue

And yes film her secretly as people change once they are being filmed.

Tell her to fuck off and get a treadmill.

That’s not true at all. Dogs need to be kept on leads in pedestrian areas, footpaths etc. They can be taken off the lead in forests and greens IF under control but it’s still your responsibility to maintain that control. In any case, why would you deliberately want to be a nuisance to those around you?

No they don’t need to be on leads in those areas, unless there’s an order by the local council. It’s been mentioned multiple times already on this thread. Stop spreading misinformation.

Can I please ask that any further additions to this thread avoid debating dogs and whether or not they should be on a lead? That is not the purpose of this thread.

Good grief! Over a decade and nothing has been done. Ely police aren't coming out of this well.

And god forbid anything happens it will all be "Lessons have been learnt".

Well you did mention your dog not being on a lead in your post. This is undoubtedly going to provoke a response, given the frequent news stories of dog attacks in this country atm.

Let your dog off the lead in a quiet place not frequented by the public.

Tell that to people who have been attacked by dogs, or hassled by them when they have a fear of them.

@MooseBreath maybe get this moved to legal as people really don’t seem to grasp what the actual problem is. Hope you’re ok today.