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.

Has it occurred to you she might be seriously mentally unwell? We had similar with a woman blocking residents into their drives, threatening to ram cars and going up to their windows taking photos through the windows and trying to get into their cars. To us she just seemed aggressive, abusive and threatening. The reality was that she was actually schizophrenic and needed to be sectioned urgently. What you are seeing may actually be the manifestation of a serious mental illness, rather than standard cut and dried harassment.

Sounds bloody awful OP - might be an idea to ask MN tomove this to legal? You'll get more footfall here, but prob more specific advice re legalities there

Absolutely film the bitch and tell her you’re putting it on Facebook to warn others and the police.

The dog was fine, the runner wasn’t. Should they be kept on a lead? 🙄

She obviously has issues -she is harassing multiple people and this should be taken seriously by the police. Encourage the others she has bothered to report and as mentioned already wear a body cam so you can be "hands free" but evidence her behaviour. They are not expensive.
Personally I'd ignore her entirely. Look through her even if she is filming. Don't talk, argue or threaten. Pretend she doesn't exist. Her filming will consist of absolutely nothing and she won't get what she wants which is some form of response -any response. The boredom of getting literally no interaction will hopefully put her off but you will have her recorded on body cam anyway showing there is no fault on your side.
It's a difficult situation but try not to be put off living your life as normal.

This has occurred to me, yes. If she is mentally ill, that is very unfortunate and I hope it is is dealt with. My concern, however, is the safety of my family, not the welfare of a woman who is making me scared to leave the house in an otherwise safe neighbourhood.

I would call 999 each and every time the nutter approached me.

Also yes to investing in a body cam, and get on to your local MP about the police dragging their feet.

Just as a side note, I have started keeping my dog on a lead at all times out of worry, even in the middle of a field where there are no joggers, as she jumps out of hedges. He now doesn't get the exercise he requires, despite being very well trained with exceptional recall. This is purely the fault of this woman and the utterly pathetic response from police. My dog is not the issue here.

This; causing someone alarm and distress is a crime. Tel the police you’re frightened for your and DC’s safety. If the police arrive while she’s harassing you she might get the message

Human rights to run around in a field trump dog rights to run around.

A lead is always necessary if you’re walking your dog in a public place. The woman was being unreasonable to harass you, but you’re being unreasonable not leashing your dog in the park.

It's not a park. It's a field. He wasn't even on the path.

Oh that's gone too far now!

Ring your local police and keep ringing till you speak to someone who will deal

Mention your children, she knows your address and emphasise 'safeguarding' as you have no idea what she'll do with the film

Filming your children outside their home!? I would be tempted to report this as stalking behaviour.

No advice at all OP but just sorry your having to deal with this, i hope it's resolved soon and hopefully some police presence in the area.

If it’s a public field and not one specifically for dog walking, then the dog should be on a lead.

I don't blame you for being worried about that woman.

Taking pictures of your children though and the car are very worrying. What did the police say about that?

OP you said it is this woman. If it’s this big a problem the police should have had several reports. Keep logging every single time, and ask everyone else to do the same.

I'm not justifying her behaviour, but she definitely sounds unwell.
Keep reporting, and make a nuisance of yourself to the police; tell them she's photographed your car and children and you are feeling too intimidated to let your dog off-lead even when it's perfectly safe otherwise, and it's harassment.
Contact your local councillor and tell the police you've done so.

It doesn't matter where your dog was. If it was outside of your home and not on your own private property, then it should be on a lead, full stop.
Also, being video recorded in a public place is not against the law, and you have no legal protection to prevent it.
Be responsible and always lead your dog.

This makes me so sad, I’m so sorry that this awful woman and her actions have made you feel so anxious and uncomfortable, though completely understandable that you do! I guess all you can do is keep reporting and, as you have already organised, gather your own video evidence.

@MasterBeth

"Human rights to run around in a field trump dog rights to run around."

Why? Can you explain why you think human rights trump those of every other creature on earth. This is a genuine question.

Can you get a restraining order?

Can everyone give it a rest about the dog being on a lead? It's hardly the point, and she's patently not some concerned but otherwise normal and balanced citizen making a point about dog safety. And the OP says it's happened more than once to her and her kids without the dog even being there.

I'd have been tempted to say 'if you continue to use such foul language in front of my young child again, I will use any means to get YOU away'.