Dog walking alone

[Meltinthemiddle]

My dog and I love exploring and going for walks in our local woods. But a few times I have felt a little vulnerable, that eerie feeling where you look behind you and realise you are all alone. Following the recent news what precautions do you take?

I walk my dog in the woods alone. But when it's really muddy I always avoid any steep areas. And I keep away from trees during thunderstorms. I do keep my phone charged in case I have any issues.

I never feel worried. But I've walked long distances alone without a dog, travel late at night alone etc.

I've been raped twice, both times by men I knew. Random strange men pose very little risk on the whole. For every woman killed by a stranger, there would have been 10 more killed by their boyfriend. For every sexual assault by a stranger, there's probably 50 taking place at home.

Same as above. I avoid lonely areas. I stick to national trust or popular local spots where there is always a few people about. I have an attack alarm.

I make sure my phone is charged and have ice contacts loaded. I text my dh when I'm beginning my walk, my planned route and how long I think it's likely to take me. I don't walk in the dark and I go to areas that are used very regularly by dog walkers so I know a few people will be about. I wouldn't go super early or late enough that I'd be caught in the dark. Keep a good eye around me and hope the dog would make me look like a hassle to steal.

With regards to who would take your dog, the police will take them or the dog warden. Ive known the police to take them and put them in the old kennels or the dog handlers have taken them when the driver has been in a car crash or taken ill . The dog warden would put them in kennels until you could sort an alternative. People care too much about dogs to leave them uncared for.

I agree with the air tags on the dog collar and on your person. If something bad happened not sure a malicious person would realise to throw away your phone AND an air tag.
I would avoid anywhere that gives you an eerie feeling, there is a part of the woods near me that does and part that doesn’t. The part that doesn’t is actually in woods along the back of peoples houses so maybe subconsciously I feel closer to other people.
I am going to look up other safety devices for women and what is effective but haven’t yet just to give me extra peace of mind.
it’s such a shame, I know the risk hasn’t increased and it’s all very rare but it does take the joy out of things for me when I feel nervous.