To set the scene: DP (a woman) and DDog (a small collie cross) were wild camping this weekend. Lovely, very quiet spot with a wee beach, by a loch.
This evening a family came onto the beach - obviously fine as it's public property, and they had a dog too. Their dog was offlead and our dog was onlead. Their dog was also quite big and began walking towards DP and Ddog fairly aggressively. Ddog can be scared of bigger dogs especially when she is onlead and they are offlead and started barking and tugging at the lead. The male owner then shouted at DP, 'It's a free beach', also being quite aggressive. The woman of the couple was telling her DP to leave the situation alone but he continued to be rude. Neither of them made steps to come and get their dog who at this point was standing next to DP and Ddog and totally winding her up and getting more aggressive.
DP took Ddog and her into their tent which was pitched on the beach. She heard the man saying they would be back tomorrow and it was quite some time before they moved on.
As I said obviously it's a public space and anyone can use it but did DP do something wrong? Surely dogs should be retrieved and put on a lead if in a situation like this? DP ended up being quite shaken by the situation and after they had left, packed up and drove home a night early. She's home now and still fairly upset.
Thank you.