Told by the farmer to keep dog on a lead?

[mudstuck]

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..

I hate to break it to you but it is not possible to have full control of any off lead dog. Period. You can do all the training in the world but it's still an animal and hence can be unpredictable

The police dog unit and countless others who train animals might disagree with you there.

What a batshit thread.

Op...Aibu
Mn,,Yes
Op. Yes I am but fuck you all anyway. 😂

This is just crazy and self-centered 'I'm in my full right'.

I sort of daydream that the farmer takes a swing through your garden on his tractor .

By that logic if he asks her to only walk the dog when she's topless in a pink tutu no-knickers OP has to do that too?

Yes. Of course. That's obviously what everyone is saying. Can't you read?

This is why dog owners get such a bad reputation! Have respect for the farmer.

So much entitlement..............

@mudstuckThere are certain times of the year (March - July) dogs must be kept on short lead to protect nesting birds, and during lambing season, and not just ‘under control’, this may have been what the farmer was referring to with the comment about pheasants as they are ground nesting

www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/countryside-walking-with-your-dog

It was an empty field with no livestock in sight. Why would I keep her on a lead if I didn't know about the pheasants?

Because you have an absolute duty to follow the Countryside Code (dogs on lead March to July), and people who can't be bothered to read it shouldn't be out in the countryside

Maybe he has trouble from one or two dog owners, so is covering all bases by speaking to all so that one or two can't say he was singling them out. He was polite about it

Yes. I accept that and I have learned but there is no need for all the hate. Anyone would think I let her run through a field attacking lambs or some shit

But it doesn't matter what's in the field at the moment. Maybe the farmer knew there were sheep nearby? Maybe he's had a bad experience with owners letting their dogs run through his crops. It's common sense to leash your dogs if you choose to walk on farmland.

The risks do not outweigh the benefits. Dogs don't need to be off-lead in a farmers' field. They can still have a good walk and sniff on a short lead by your side.

Nope, they can’t shoot your dog just for being off lead (unless worrying livestock) BUT it’s the farmer’s right to ask you to put your dog on a lead. We thankfully live in an area where the farmers/land owners don’t mind (& I have a footpath too and again let others walk theirs off lead on my land) with the caveat they are always on lead near livestock. If I do stray where I don’t know the landowner I’m always careful and apologise if they ask me to put the dog back on (though mostly they’re thrilled we’re scaring off the birds that are eating their crop). I have friends with footpaths on their land who are way more precious than we are...it’s horses for courses I suppose🤷🏼‍♀️

Of course the farmer can ask you to put your dog on a lead.

Before embarking on the walk, and before posting my he internet, did you not google the rules?

So a farmer can shot a dog that's not chasing, worrying or attacking livestock? A dog that's just walking through an empty field with its owner? And the farmer would face no legal consequences because they own the land?

So next time the neighbours dog goes running through my open plan front garden I can shot him? Madness

@mudstuck

So a farmer can shot a dog that's not chasing, worrying or attacking livestock? A dog that's just walking through an empty field with its owner? And the farmer would face no legal consequences because they own the land?

So next time the neighbours dog goes running through my open plan front garden I can shot him? Madness

Do you have a gun licence?

So next time the neighbours dog goes running through my open plan front garden I can shot him? Madness

Is your garden covered by the Countryside Code?

*I hate to break it to you but it is not possible to have full control of any off lead dog. Period. You can do all the training in the world but it's still an animal and hence can be unpredictable.

You are no different from me if you let your dog off knowing the risk is minimal. You may think your dog is perfect but it's still a dog with a prey drive.*
Exactly! That's why the farmer is right.

Pheasants and many native birds are ground nesters; hares also raise their young on the ground. This is the time of year when birds and mammals are rearing their young and the parents, nests and young are very vulnerable.

Your dog should ALWAYS, ALWAYS be on the lead on farmland. No exceptions.

This is the Overton Window Olympics.

@LST
No, but that's not the point. Having a gun license or ownership of land doesn't mean you can do whatever the heck you want like many are suggesting. I am assuming the farmer's license could be removed if he abuses it. If he shot a dog without justification them he leaves himself open to prosecution.

YABU. I understand what you’re saying that your dog is probably fine but the farmer does not know that. He’s probably had bad experiences with dogs and would rather they all stay on lead! He’s probably had enough of it! 💗

@mudstuck

So a farmer can shot a dog that's not chasing, worrying or attacking livestock? A dog that's just walking through an empty field with its owner? And the farmer would face no legal consequences because they own the land?

So next time the neighbours dog goes running through my open plan front garden I can shot him? Madness

I think you need to be a bit sensible, dogs worry and kill livestock. It's animal cruelty and welfare.

It's also the farmers property and his business.

Can someone please explain how a farmer is legally entitled to shot your dog just for being off the lead? When the dog has not threatened livestock?

Respect other people's land. Always funny how the ones abusing it (yes you were) are routinely able to quote their rights and access laws yet seem fair less au fait with the country code, a quote from which reads 'Between 1 March and 31 July, you must have your dog on a lead on Open Access land, even if there is no livestock on the land'.

With rights come responsibilities.

@mudstuck

So a farmer can shot a dog that's not chasing, worrying or attacking livestock? A dog that's just walking through an empty field with its owner? And the farmer would face no legal consequences because they own the land?

So next time the neighbours dog goes running through my open plan front garden I can shot him? Madness

Do you have a gun license? Do you own livestock that the dog could feasibly be worrying? Do you rely on the crops growing in your garden to make a living and feed your family?

[quote mudstuck]@JackieLavertysWeirdVoice
Can the farmer shoot my dog for being off her lead? I know they can shoot a dog if it's worrying their sheep, or livestock but not for simply being off lead with their owner in sight surely? [/quote]
No. But on their land, I think it's fair to do as they ask, don't you? Fwiw I had a similar conversation once and I thought it was open fields - as soon as I was aware, I put my dog on the lead and apologised profusely. I'd do the same if I were you.

However on reflection I am wondering if he is in the right to ask that of us?

You sound like those anti-masker women in the US who insist that shops are public property and they should be allowed to do whatever the hell like they like in them.

[quote mudstuck]@JackieLavertysWeirdVoice
Can the farmer shoot my dog for being off her lead? I know they can shoot a dog if it's worrying their sheep, or livestock but not for simply being off lead with their owner in sight surely? [/quote]
He explained he had livestock that you had not seen, pheasants! He would have a legal defence (not a right to shoot your dog) if those pheasant form part of his livelihood and your dog as worrying them - worrying, bothering, likely to cause harm, in this case to birds or nests.

And yes, simply being off lead can be enough. You were enjoying your leisure in someone elses work space!

Battery farmed pheasants? Ooh! Did you read the Grauniad's piece? Filemed in Poland, begrudgingly meantioning that it is illegal in the UK?

Here they are reared either as 'wild' flocks in situ or hand reared, 'hardened off' in penned areas (nothing like battery farmed) and then sold to shoots where they will be loosed in the area they will be shot. They want them to fly, to provide good sport. Survivors add to the wild flock. If you are going to be outraged on their behalf be so for the right reasons!