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Original poster

Told by the farmer to keep dog on a lead?

634 replies

mudstuck · 26/04/2021 13:19

I was walking my dog through a field and the farmer came up on his tractor and complained that he had seen my dog off the lead. There are no sheep or livestock around, and I would always always put her on a lead if I there was any chance of encountering any livestock.I did raise the fact that the field was empty with him and he said there are young pheasants going about... I apologised and agreed to keep her on a lead in future. However on reflection I am wondering if he is in the right to ask that of us? My dog doesn't have a very high prey drive at all and lives happily with three house cats. I don't allow her to chase wildlife although her recall, even though it's good, is not 100% and we have had the very occasional chase of a squirrel or deer. She probably would chase a pheasant if she saw one running away but she would never catch it. What do you think? Like I said I am happy to keep her on a lead just for an easy life. I live close to the farmer and don't want the trouble/conflict. Just wondering who is in the right..

OP posts:
Planttrees · 26/04/2021 13:45

This is taken from the Scottish outdoor access code:

Told by the farmer to keep dog on a lead?
Original poster
mudstuck · 26/04/2021 13:46

I walked for miles with a bag of dog poo in my pocket to dispose of it once home. Trust me when I say my dog is not messing in the field. I will keep her on a lead, I was always going to keep her on a lead regardless of the responses I got here because I already agreed to this when the farmer asked us. I just didn't understand why he was asking, that's all.

OP posts:
youshallnotpass9 · 26/04/2021 13:46

OP

I didn't realise about pheasants either till about a year ago, when I saw a programme about a family who had a couple of dogs, they kept getting out the garden, farmer warned them that if they saw them on their land again they would shoot them. You can guess what happened, police were on the farmer's side, tbf so was I, despite the best attempt of the family and TV programme that the farmer was unreasonable.

I don't have farm land round me, but regardless of the rules, if you are on the farmers land I would keep your dog on the lead. Especially if you are not sure of nesting/breeding months

BlackCatsRule88 · 26/04/2021 13:47

The farmer has no way of know if your dog is gentle or has a killer instinct. When he or she is protecting their livelihood, I imagine they will assume the latter.

FinallyFluid · 26/04/2021 13:49

You have to ask........Give me strength.

FrangipaniBlue · 26/04/2021 13:49

@mudstuck

Wtf.. my dog was off lead but walking to heel with me in an empty field. She hasn't attacked any animals or rushed up to any children. We had very right to be in that field. I already agreed to keep her on a lead. This pile on is unhelpful. I was just looking for some advice
Why would you need to seek advice?

Just do as the farmer has asked when you are ON HIS LAND!

Original poster
mudstuck · 26/04/2021 13:49

@PhilCornwall1

Can the farmer shoot my dog for being off her lead?

Take your dog into the field off it's lead a few more times and you'll probably find out.

It's his land, just do as he's told you and he won't shoot it.

This is totally illegal. There are very strict circumstances as to when a farmer can shot a dog, they can't just do whatever they want just cause the own the land. They are not above the law!
OP posts:
brokengate · 26/04/2021 13:50

I get that, and everyone is allowed to learn. I suppose the issue is none of us can answer exactly.

Had it been here the answer might have been
Rearing pheasants
Lambing sheep in next field
About to move cows
Daughter is gathering and has eight dogs off lead
Sheep coming home to lamb
Grass field for grazing
There's a bull round the corner in the dip

Most farmers are friendly, we are used to people roaming. If you see him again ask him for more info. He will probably suggest where is good to let off.

We had some hill walkers at weekend having a picnic in a gateway. DH asked them to move as he was about to bring 100 cattle down the track. They asked how far they needed to move, he said in all honesty about a mile. In the end he took them to the next hill in the back of the jeep. Was just a safety issue.

Wolfiefan · 26/04/2021 13:50

What don’t you understand? The farmer said there were young and vulnerable pheasants living there. Your dog can’t chase them. Or trample through where they live.

Original poster
mudstuck · 26/04/2021 13:51

@FrangipaniBlue
I have and will continue to do as asked. That was always going to be the case. Just wanted to get some more understanding... bloody hell. Wish I'd never posted on here now. You're all nuts.

OP posts:
JackieLavertysWeirdVoice · 26/04/2021 13:52

Well, @OP, you'll be arguing it in court and your dog will still be dead.

And the farmer will rightly say, I did warn her fairly.

likeamillpond · 26/04/2021 13:52

The OP has clearly stated she is willing to keep her dog on a lead and wanted opinions.
No need for a pile on.

AnniesAmazingEyebrows · 26/04/2021 13:53

Cringing for you. He is in the right, it doesn't matter if he has livestock or not. It's his land and it's basic manners to leash your dog while cutting through his field.

Doesn't matter what your dogs personal traits are. If you don't want to leash your dog on his land then walk a different route. It's basic manners, I love my dog to bits and she's very well trained but when cutting through farmers property, unless I have permission from the farmer (which we do for some) then she is leashed.

There's been a few threads over the last few months about the damage people and dogs can do when not sticking to footpaths.

thenightsky · 26/04/2021 13:54

@MinesAPintOfTea

It’s bird nesting season, including ground birds. Keep your dog on a lead.
My neighbours two cats were shot by the local farmer as they were continually killing young pheasants.
FrangipaniBlue · 26/04/2021 13:54

All you need to understand is that a landowner asked you to keep your dog on a lead, when on his land.

The what's why's and wherefores are of no concern to you.

You specifically asked if he was in his right to ask...... of course he is, again just to clarify ITS HIS LAND!

JackieLavertysWeirdVoice · 26/04/2021 13:56

OP, what does your dog do if someone fires a rifle or shotgun nearby, or it hears sudden noise from, say, a low flying aircraft?

Or another dog unexpectedly runs at it?

FrangipaniBlue · 26/04/2021 13:56

@likeamillpond

The OP has clearly stated she is willing to keep her dog on a lead and wanted opinions. No need for a pile on.
Because the OP was hoping people would say "he's an arse, ignore him and let your pwecious fur baby run free"

There really was no need to ask the internet for clarification or understanding.

Faux ignorance is not a good trait.

JudgeRindersMinder · 26/04/2021 13:57

It’s in Scotland so we have public right of way and access laws..

I’m also in Scotland. Did you know these rights come with responsibilities?

PhilCornwall1 · 26/04/2021 13:57

This is totally illegal. There are very strict circumstances as to when a farmer can shot a dog, they can't just do whatever they want just cause the own the land. They are not above the law!

Very true, but some dog owners like to think they can do what they want.

Theobear88 · 26/04/2021 13:58

Well, @OP, you'll be arguing it in court and your dog will still be dead
No she won’t? She said she put the dog on the lead and will continue to do so to avoid any conflict. Nothing wrong with what she did, she’s simply just asking a question.

And the farmer will rightly say, I did warn her fairly
And she did as he requested....no problems here

Tambora · 26/04/2021 13:59

It doesn't matter whether there is a right of way or whatever, it is still private land and if the farmer tells you to keep your dog on a lead on his land then you do just that.

If you want to let your dog off the lead then go somewhere it is allowed.

Original poster
mudstuck · 26/04/2021 14:00

@thenightsky
That's disgusting. Pheasants are not livestock, google it! I hope your neighbours took it to the police. These farmers clearly think they're above the law and can do as they please just cause they own abit of land.

OP posts:
Gothichouse40 · 26/04/2021 14:00

He asked you to put your dog on a leash, he could have shot the dog or reported you. It was not an unreasonable request. The farmer will be more aware of what wildlife/livestock is in his own land or surrounding areas.

me4real · 26/04/2021 14:01

I apologised and agreed to keep her on a lead in future. However on reflection I am wondering if he is in the right to ask that of us? My dog doesn't have a very high prey drive at all

YABU. He has no way of knowing whether that's the case.

SweatyBetty20 · 26/04/2021 14:01

@NicolaDunsire - those regulations should be posted far and wide. We walked above Todmorden at the weekend and saw loads of lapwing and curlews which are ground-nesting at the moment, along with plenty of pheasant and grouse. Also saw several dogs on wide-ranging runabouts, and it just made me cringe. Thank you for posting - we were on open access land and I'll now know to tell people to lead up their dogs. I knew it was best practice but didn't know it was law between those periods.

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