Can anybody tell me the rules for walking dogs along public foot paths?

[Marne]

I have walked my dog through the field behind my house every day for the past 2+ years, a few friends also use the field to walk their dogs in. The pathway is not marked out but apparently is through the middle of the field, i try to stick to where the path should be but sometimes my dog doesn't. I let my dog off the lead so she can have a run (as there is never anyone else about (if there was i would keep her on the lead).

Anyway, i have just taken the dog for a walk and someone has stuck a hand written sign on the footpath sign saying 'Walkers and dog walkers, please keep your dogs on a lead and stick to the foot path which is not around the outside of the field'. I think the letter has been written by someone who lives in one of the houses that backs onto the field, not the field owner. The field owner has always been happy to let people walk their dogs in the field as long as there are no live stock in there (when there is we don't use the field).

I know this person (who wrote the note) is probably right and people should keep dogs on leads and stick to the path but the path is not marked out and without getting a map of local footpaths how do people know where the path is?

Can some one tell me if there are rules that state 'dogs should be kept on leads'?

Do you all keep your dogs on leads on public footpaths through fields?

I let mine off the lead unless there is a sign put there by the farmer/landowner requesting that dogs are put on a lead.

I always put him on a lead if I see other dogs or walkers approaching too.

Anyone?

I am happy to keep her on a lead if its the rules. I have always let her off the lead because others do it plus it gives her a good run (which she can't do in our small garden). It will be a shame if she can't have a run but will happily buy one of these extendable leads for her (so she can still run a little).

Sorry cross post.

I have never seen it as a problem unless live stock are in the field. Its not a busy foot path (only a few dog walkers use it). I think it may be my fault that the letter has been put up as my dog did run off a bit too far yesterday (as she had not been walked for a few days due to me being ill) and she ran up to a fence which backs on to a garden and she stood there for a while looking at a dog in the garden (the dog in the garden was barking at her and she just stood there for 10 seconds and then ran back to me). My dog does not bark or chase wild life as she is a bit of a wimp, if she see's a rabbit of a bird she runs away so its not like she's chasing rabbits.

If the field is a public field you can walk on whatever bit you want. We back on to 2 huge fields and although there are paths local children all run over the fields and the dogs all get walked wherever.

If its a private field with a public footpath then a dpg should be on a lead.

If there isn't any livestock or crops growing in the field, why should your dog be on a lead? Dogs need a bit of freedom and as long as they're under control I can't see that it's a problem.

As you said, probably a resident getting their knickers in a twist. I wouldn't pay much attention apart from keeping your dog away from their gardens.

If the path is a public right of way, then your dog needs to be closely under control. This does not actually mean on the end of a lead, but close by your side at all times. If there was a problem and the dog was free you may have problems wriggling out of 'trouble'.

There's been a bit press recently about the new law which relates to dogs / access land; namely that from 1 March to end of July dogs MUST be on a lead when walking in / on Open Access Land. This is not just about livestock, but ground nesting birds being disturbed.

So, if the fields you walk through are not open access land (unlikely if cultivated - as opposed to permanent pasture [ie grazed rather than used as crop fields]) and the landowner is okay for you to run your dogs off the lead then you're probably okay.

If you know the landowner, I'd ask about its status (re Open Access Land) and just confirm your useage being okay.

As the last person said, it is more than likely some neighbour being concerned about other people walking slightly too near their boundary - not just NIMBYs but NotAnywhereNearMyBAckYards!

This is a PITA for us too. We now walk the dog on a very long lead!

My understanding is that dogs need to be kept under control - which doesn't nescessarily mean on a lead - and that they need to stick to the path. If there are signs saying keep the dog on a lead, then I would do.

However, i would check with the landowner? They might be ok with you dog being walked across there off lead and off the path a bit anyway?

Thankyou for your post's. My neighbour knows the landowner well and he has never minded people walking their dogs in the field, he even let 2 of my neighbours make crossings from their gardens into the field so they can let their dogs into the field.

My dog usually stays close to me but lately has started to run off (a few meters away), i think i will have to try and re-train her to stay closer by using a lead for a while. This is the only field in the village i can let her off in for a run as the other foot paths are always full of people walking their dogs. As my dog is a Staff bull terrier i always keep her on the lead if people are about as i understand that some people may be anxious of her (even though she wouldn't harm anyone).

I will check with the landowner.

yes would check with landowner.

And... if landowner says it is ok - I would be inclined to put a repsonse to the note

Iggypiggy- i was tempted to do that this morning but managed to stop myself , i was also tempted to take the note down (which i will still do if it hasn't been written by the land owner.

BTW- after finding the note i still continued to walk the dog off of the lead but stuck to the path (or where i think the path should be).