to report this to the police, even though I am technically implicating myself?

[Imperrysmum]

My local park is locked overnight and isn’t opened until 6am. It’s a huge park but in one area part of the fence is missing so I squeeze through and go into the park to walk my dog at 4am (he is an XL bully so I like to go the park when nobody is about)

The last few mornings when I have been walking round by the pond there have been a couple of men sitting on the benches next to the pond “feeding the ducks”. I noticed they have black bin liners next to them too. I’m pretty sure I recognise these men from working in a takeaway restaurant.

I am concerned they are trying to catch ducks. I hope i’m wrong, but I just can’t see why two adult men would sit feeding the ducks at 4am?! Especially as the park is officially closed and they have bin liners next to them.

AIBU to report this to the police, even though I’ll be implicating myself too?

Because I like the way they look and I feel safe having it with me. What’s the big problem, I follow all the rules.

It's not YOUR private land tho, or private land you have permission to use, so it doesn't count as private land. That's like sneaking into your neighbours garden and letting the dog off the lead there because it's ok on private property

Anyway, I think they have leftovers, a quick fuck and go home

Or sharing a bed and need the day shift to leave at 6am before they can use it

Prawn quackers, surely?

No you don't, you've just admitted it yourself 😂

What is the OP doing that’s wrong?

If it’s sneaking into the park at 4am, then so are the two men. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Speaking as someone who is currently having to catch a chicken on a daily basis to administer medication I can confirm that it is definitely not easy. And ducks can fly a lot better than chickens! Admittedly it is a bit easier at night when they're sleepy but it's still unlikely to be an easy, or quiet process. I think acquiring wild ducks for food generally involves guns. If anyone can stealthily lure one into a bin bag then I take my hat off to them!

Where did you get this information from? It’s definitely not private property when it’s closed. I think the police would be more worried about you flouting dangerous dog laws walking your dog off lead in a park. You can report a crime anonymously of course so why don’t you do that about these duck feeding men? Then the patrolling police can come to their own conclusions. You best hope they’re not patrolling the same time you’re there walking your ‘dangerous’ dog though.

Walking a banned breed off the lead and un-muzzled.

He’s all above board.

I walk him at 4am because many people (like the people on this thread) make rude remarks under their breath when we walk past. Parents grab their children and I get dirty looks if heaven forbid he barks at another dog (like dogs do)

It’s just not nice.

You're also allowed to feed the ducks. If this worries you then speak with the parks department, you'll get a few raised eyebrows but at least you've reported it. I'd be more worried about my own safety wandering around a park at 4am than a few ducks. Doesn't the park belong to the council, maybe tell them it's locked but not secure if you can get through.

Sneaking into the park to walk a dog that is legally required to have a lead and a muzzle on, without a lead and a muzzle therefore endangering the lives of the two men feeding the ducks and anyone else that may be there (including the ducks she cares so much about).

Maybe they like ducks and are trying to atone for all the ones that have ended up all crispy fried in delicious pancakes by their hand?

A public area that is closed doesn’t suddenly become private - it is a public area that is closed? By your own admission some members of the public (I.e you) choose to ignore opening times and use it anyway, therefore it is most definitely still a public area

Do you think that the council that runs the park owns the ducks?

I'm not sure that taking ducks is a crime. If they were shooting them out of the air whilst wearing tweed, it'd be a sport.

However, I do think that you should report it, and I'm happy to come along. Because I really want to hear that conversation between you and a desk sergeant.

Ah behave! You have to be taking the piss. You shouldn’t be be walking your dog off lead there. What if other people decide to sneak in for 4am walks? Do you consider private property then?

You don’t have permission to be there at that time.

Even actual private property such as dog fields have to have to see the paperwork for the XL bully and can only let them in, off lead, in under certain circumstances.

You are somewhere you shouldn’t be, doing something you shouldn’t be. So are they. Thinking they might be stealing ducks makes me think you are trying rage bait.

Likely because it’s a dangerous breed maybe ? You’re both in the wrong for trespassing when the park’s closed.

Or leftover duck a l’orange. Isn’t there a dish that is called duck but is actually fish?
Maybe the men are trying to implicate the ducks by main them be cannibals
Or they’ve read on MN that drakes are nasty little Scrotes who will all pile on a duck and drown her in mating.
Maybe they want to eradicate the drakes and just leave the peaceful females ?

Walking on private property means your own private property, or a piece of land you have hired for your private use.

A public park is not private property, even when it is closed.

You are in the wrong, and need to have your dog on a lead and wearing a muzzle. If you want to walk him without you need to rent out a secure field to do that.

They’re sitting in the park winding down in the fresh air before heading home after a nightshift seems the most likely.

There’s about a million different things I’d think of before stealing ducks, including having a shag and hiding a body. It’s a weird conclusion to leap to.