Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Harassed on a walk

303 replies

MooseBreath · 12/12/2023 16:30

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.

OP posts:
MooseBreath · 12/12/2023 17:17

I have reported to 101. Not expecting anything to be done about it, but in case it escalates I thought it should be on record.

OP posts:
Cattiwampus · 12/12/2023 17:21

Yes, my thought was that she was looking for something to post on social media to ‘react to’

EtiennePalmiere · 12/12/2023 17:26

Sounds like she's had enough of off-lead dogs and was taking it out on you.

Neveraga1n · 12/12/2023 17:29

Next time have your phone ready and record her

airforsharon · 12/12/2023 17:31

I agree with a couple of pps, if you see her again pop your dog on a lead - my worry would be she may do something to deliberately attract or antagonise your dog for a 'gotcha' moment. No dog is completely bomb proof.
Glad you've logged with 101.

Behindyouiam · 12/12/2023 17:32

The jogger was definitely a mumsnetter!

Whataretheodds · 12/12/2023 17:32

I'd write down as many of the details as I could remember including the words she said and a description of her.

If she comes near you start filming her yourself

ActDottie · 12/12/2023 17:35

No harm reporting to 101 so they have a record of it. Tbh she sounds a bit unhinged tbh.

It’s ironic cuz if she’d done this to me with my dogs one of them who is always on a lead would’ve started barking at her! Whereas if she’s just walked/ran past my dog would’ve been absolutely fine.

Keepingthingsinteresting · 12/12/2023 17:37

Choosychoice · 12/12/2023 16:51

Put your dog on a lead in public if there are runners around. The rights of another human to use public areas without the risk of getting hassled by a dog trump the rights of a dog.

Not sure if you read the OP, but it was the runner harassing the dog not the other way round.

stop being so dog-whistley

ginasevern · 12/12/2023 17:46

@Choosychoice

"Put your dog on a lead in public if there are runners around. The rights of another human to use public areas without the risk of getting hassled by a dog trump the rights of a dog."

Yep, human rights trump everything don't they. The right to pump gazillions of tons of unspeakable waste into the rivers and seas, the right to torture other living creatures for fun and sport, the right to decimate forests and destroy other creatures' habitats as and when we so please. The list is endless. God forbid another living creature should have the temerity to actually walk in a field whilst a human is performing the essential task of jogging.

DuesToTheDirt · 12/12/2023 17:46

Film her back.

MrsMarzetti · 12/12/2023 17:47

Please report it as i am sure you are not the first woman she has done this to. The more it is reported the bigger the picture the police have.

PGmicstand · 12/12/2023 17:47

Choosychoice · 12/12/2023 16:51

Put your dog on a lead in public if there are runners around. The rights of another human to use public areas without the risk of getting hassled by a dog trump the rights of a dog.

Whilst I do agree with the idea of dogs on leads, in this case, the OPs dog was doing nothing and walking to heel. The runner made a point of approaching and filming OP implying that the dog 'might' do something.

TarkaDalOtter · 12/12/2023 17:49

I hate dogs and would be angry if it nuzzled me etc. But you did absolutely nothing wrong and you have clearly trained your dog well. Silly rude woman.

LickleLamb · 12/12/2023 17:54

tachycardigan · 12/12/2023 16:48

Sounds like she was looking for an argy bargy and picked on a lone female with child as a safe target.

You did the right thing OP.

Yes, agree with this.

Cas112 · 12/12/2023 17:58

Behindyouiam · 12/12/2023 17:32

The jogger was definitely a mumsnetter!

100%😂

vodkaredbullgirl · 12/12/2023 17:59

Behindyouiam · 12/12/2023 17:32

The jogger was definitely a mumsnetter!

I think I could name a few.

MooseBreath · 12/12/2023 18:17

Would it be advised or even legal to film her back?

OP posts:
Takacupokindnessyet · 12/12/2023 18:23

I'd get my phone out to film her. Even if you don't actually record, just pretending might be enough to get her to move on quicker.

HardStareBear · 12/12/2023 18:29

If she approaches you again I think that you should pop your dog on a lead (to stop her enticing him) and just dial 101 there and then. Even if there is no immediate reply, there's nothing to stop you pretending to speak to the police. It might make her bugger off, sharpish.

CatamaranViper · 12/12/2023 18:32

MooseBreath · 12/12/2023 18:17

Would it be advised or even legal to film her back?

It's not illegal to film in a public place

AlwaysGinPlease · 12/12/2023 20:39

Choosychoice · 12/12/2023 16:51

Put your dog on a lead in public if there are runners around. The rights of another human to use public areas without the risk of getting hassled by a dog trump the rights of a dog.

Well, that didn't take long 😂 sooo predictable 🥱

AlwaysGinPlease · 12/12/2023 20:42

TarkaDalOtter · 12/12/2023 17:49

I hate dogs and would be angry if it nuzzled me etc. But you did absolutely nothing wrong and you have clearly trained your dog well. Silly rude woman.

It sounds to dramatic say you "hate" dogs. Scared of yes but to hate. Very weird.

TicTacNicNak · 12/12/2023 20:46

You did the right thing to report this to 101. Although it was only this time this has happened to you, it's possible she's harassed others in the same vein. If others report too, the police can build up a picture in case it escalates.

MooseBreath · 24/01/2024 13:03

I posted this thread in December after being harassed by a woman on a walk. It has happened again a number of times. I have reported each time, but nothing has been done by police. It has been happening to other people on my area as well, all by the same woman. I am now so anxious every time I leave my house.

Does anybody have a decent understanding of what my rights are if being followed and harassed? It isn't any kind of discrimination, and I am not being targeted because of any protected characteristics.

I cannot afford to take this woman to court.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread