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.

They are required for pedestrian zones, e.g paths, pavements etc. They don’t necessarily have to be on a lead in forests and green spaces, but they must still be under control.

It’s also an offence for a dog to behave in a way that makes a person worried for being attacked.

Don’t feel bad if she has schizophrenia or similar - it’s not your responsibility. Your responsibility is to yourself and your family and I say this as someone with a very full breadth of mental health experience and personal suffering. Genuinely.

i think you said she’s well known locally - does she have family? Or can you find out where she lives and call adult social service/police for a welfare check. If she’s very ill, which it sounds she is, they might pick up on it.

sorry this is happening to you. For your mental health I’d take the dog out somewhere else - get in the car and walk freely with them until this is all sorted. Not what you should have to do but protecting your mental health is very important

What difference does it make to the OP? Obviously the woman has challenges, it’s even likely she has mental health issues. But she’s harassing OP and others dangerously. What difference do you suggest it makes?

If you RTFT, you'd see that someone else local to me knows who this is and has not only confirmed the situation, but added detail. I am not exaggerating or leaving out details (except names and locations for confidentiality reasons). You sound absolutely ridiculous.

You can report to Mumsnet directly. It’s in the forum rules. You’re more likely to get deleted than the OP though, as you’re the one breaking them persistently. I expect you’ve been reported multiple times on this thread already,

OP can’t provide her mental support though. OP is a victim of hers, regardless of the reason.

Leads aren't required in those areas, unless there is an order from the local council. The Highway code isn't a legal requirement in the relevant rules either, it's the legal equivalent of a suggestion.

You might want to look back at your previous messages. Have fun.

I haven't overlooked it at all? But I can't do anything about her mental health except not vote Tory, which I don't do. So I guess I tried to help? There wasn't really a suggestion offered.

I just want my family to be safe.

Surely if some one is bothered about a dog not been on a lead. You don't change direction, and follow ppl waving a camera, and causing drama to try and get the dog to react? That is not what a person scared of dogs do!!

I’m not a dog fan off leads and even j can see this has nothing to do with the dog being off the lead. This is proper stalker behaviour. Change “she” for “he” and OP would be getting different responses.

Body cam is essential and if you can get multiple footage of her doing this it will help. Get everyone in the village affected to arrange a meeting with the counsellor or police

But my dog was on the grass, as very clearly stated multiple times. He didn't go on the path. He didn't even look at the woman.

No, it’s just Botox. And this isn’t helping the OP and is likely boring to read, so I’ll leave it there.

Yes I agree call the police while it’s happening 999 and tell them you are scared for your children. They may be able to get her help if she needs it too.

Mention dogs on here and some people lose the ability to respond rationally. I wear a camera on my dog walks now, was about £60 but gives me peace of mind. Might be worth looking at

I don't like dogs at all. But in this case I don't think OP did anything wrong and I think I responded rationally.

Then she needs to have a friend video record this crazy, nasty, unhinged woman and then put it on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and anywhere else she can find, along with the nasty stalker witches name and address. After all, it's legal. Maybe then, she'll get a taste of her own medicine for irate people.

I haven't RTFT but wanted to post some info in case they're helpful and haven't been shared yet.

Paladin - National Stalking Advocacy Service:
020 3866 4107
https://www.paladinservice.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/PaladinNSAS
Helpline provides advice to victims of stalking and advocacy to high risk victims of stalking, raises awareness of dangers and risks of stalking, develops a victim's network of support as well as providing training to professionals and campaigning.

The National Stalking Helpline:
0808 802 0300
https://www.suzylamplugh.org/Pages/Category/national-stalking-helpline
Practical advice and information to anyone who is currently or previously been effected by harassment or stalking.

Ely?

Not what I expected thread to be about. Thought you were going to say you were harassed by a man! Glad it wasn't anything more sinister and do contact 101 as her behaviour was out of order.

It does matter... the law does not require dogs to be on a lead in public unless there is a specific dog control order that applies to that location, requiring dogs on leads (they can require a specific length of lead, or that dogs are not there at all, or that dogs remain under close control, or even specify times of year dogs are welcome/prohibited).

The other place dogs are legally required to be on a lead is on a road designated by the Road Traffic Act 1988 (often mistaken as all roads but it isn't, its only those that have been specified by the local authority!)

On private land it is entirely up to the land owner.

You may not like it and you may believe that the responsible thing to do is use a lead when in public, but that does not make it the law across the UK.

and has a serious health issue.

Exactly what I thought. Next time take out a very loud attack alarm. You can get some VERY loud ones on Amazon. Police approved.