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.

There have been further instances where my children and I have been harassed without my dog present. This isn't a "dog off lead" issue.

I think this is what I will do. Thank you.

Yes, and stress that it's making you scared to go out and that it's happening to other people too so there may well be others feeling the same. Your councillor should be able to tie everything together and kickstart a response from the police.

To be harassed once on a walk is very rare and very strange behaviour and you say you've been harassed a 'number of times'! Are you sure you're telling us the whole story?

Report it. The woman might have form for this and you might be helping others.
Next time you see her make no eye contact, ignore but take a discreet photo if you can and make sure your dog is again well under control.

This would frighten me.

Hopefully others are always within earshot.

Body cam - one you can easily switch on the moment you see her.

Then say nothing and keep moving, so your camera picks up everything she says and there is nothing from you.

Its perfectly legal to film others in public places (likely why no action has been taken yet), including children, vehicles, vehicle registrations etc, but that works in your favour as you can record her behaviour.

I'd also pop your dogs lead on any time you see her, as it sounds as if she knows she can provoke dogs into reacting and if she does, the law is irritatingly in her favour.

The woman was completely out of order without question. Nobody has the right to film you either, how rude. I agree with a pp that said film her back, although with somebody as unhinged as this, it was probably best just to get away

I don't however agree with:

" My dog has no interest in people other than his family. He is very placid. A lead is highly unnecessary as he wasn't even on the path"

It really annoys me when dog owners say that. How do other people know this? If somebody has a fear of dogs this can be a worry, especially when there are so many ignorant, and deluded dog owners out there. There are so many attacks where the owner has swore, the dog wouldn't hurt a fly.
I'm sure your dog is lovely op, but other people don't know that. I think all dogs should be on leads in public spaces for this reason.

Unfortunately or not, @WiddlinDiddlin is right about the lead thing - if your dog did react, however strong the provocation, she'd automatically have the law on her side.

It seems quite strange behaviour if your dog wasn’t doing anything. Maybe she’s had issues with other dogs and was making sure yours didn’t go for her, but that didn’t explain her following you. No harm in reporting it and then at least if it happens again or to someone else, there’s a record. Sometimes people like this are known to the police already.

Can the councillor and Police officer frequent the walking track and witness the woman? Are there times when she is likely to make an appearance?
Report every incident to the Police

If she approaches you again, I'd dial 999 in front of her and ask for the police, when they ask why say that the woman you've reported for harassment is now back, she's harassing you again and you feel threatened. Make sure she hears you.

It sounds like she has M H issues, for me taking photos of my children is a step too far . Do you have a police station you can go to in person, sit down and explain that you are worried as she now knows where you live and your car, she is clearly unstable, and you have the right to walk wherever you want to in peace . Maybe walk the dog with some friends or other dog walkers , safety in numbers . I hope you get it sorted, the least the police should do is go and speak to her and tell her not to go near you .

This female sounds like a loony OP - it may be worth getting a go pro cam and pin it on you, at least you can record her as well.

This 100%. Slip a lead on your dog so she can’t goad him or harm him.
Also contacting your local councillor is a good idea.

Get a megaphone and when she starts harassing you loudly blare 'leave me and my family alone you insane bitch'.

Do you live a small city in Cambridgeshire? We have a local woman who does this to so many people, to the point she’s been photoed and it’s all over Facebook and people have even put up warning posters on lamposts about her. She always picks on woman with children and dogs.

Worrying if there’s more than one doing this around the country! But report her, it does help the police build up a case against someone like this.

Ask your local Councillor to contact the police and get it followed up.

This and encouraging other to complain as well.

I'd normally be worried about escalation with children there but a body cam does sound like it might help* *- to show it's all her acting aggressively and you are already being harassed.

There's no right to be free of the risk of something - there's only the right to be free of it. And the runner was free of being hassled by a dog.

I would report it to 101.

There's nothing there that requires police action but if it happens again there will be a case of harrassment against the jogger. An email to 101 or fill in your local force's webform will do.

Get this logged officially and keep your phone ready. An idea may be to simply stop so she can pass you. If she stops with you then you've got her bang to rights.

Please give your lovely doggo a scritch from me x

@MooseBreath what out of interest has happened when you have not had your dog? What’s been said/done.

film her back and call the cops at the same time 999.

shes unhinged and has no right to do this to you or anyone

Contact your local MP. Tell them you have reported numerous incidents to the police and that you and your children and your neighbours are frightened.
The police will respond once the MP gets involved….

@Hatenewyear Why would I lie about being continuously harassed by someone? Seems like a really pointless thing to do. There is nothing else to the story. I didn't provoke, my dog didn't approach her, my kids didn't approach her. Don't victim blame.

@UnfortunateTypo Bingo.

I am investing in a body cam and have sent an email to my local councillor.

@LookItsMeAgain
"...
Better yet, the next time it happens, take out your phone and call a friend on Facetime or WhatsApp and you might be able to record it or get them to record it..... Take out your phone, stop being meek when she is around and start being brave! Talk loudly saying "Oh, you again. Harassing me on my daily walk eh? You know I have reported you to the police for your harassment yeah? Do you feel really brave harassing another woman?? Leave me alone! Leave me ALONE!!!!!!" "

This would just inflame the situation. Also would supply evidence the OP is being aggressive.

Ditto, this would also inflame things.

I've seen a lot of things kick off on my estate from responses like these!