footpaths (stick to or go around?)

[Cahill]

went out with my puppy this morning to walk a footpath.
the path in question runs through the middle of a field.a little way into the field is sectioned off into lots of little bits with leccy fencing across the path where some-one keeps their horse.
there are handles on the top strand but not on the botton and i do not want my pup to get a shock.
any way the person with the horse arrived and i politely asked what i should do and was the electric on?she replied `oh go round,no1 else has complained` and `got anymore problems?` and was rather off with me.

so,would you go around the edge or straight through and stick to the path?

also, are warning signs supposed to be displayed on electric fences? (every 30 m along side)

 

[lilaclomax]

Yes, warning signs should be up and there should always be a clear way through (I believe that there is a minimum width too). I would ring your council and have a friendly chat, they are really good and will go out if needed, ideally she would need to fence off a section leaving the footpath clear or put wooden posts at the boundary so people and dogs can get through but horses cannot get out.

It does work both ways, so the easier she makes it for walkers hopefully the more sensible they become - stranger things have happened!

 

[Slightly Foxed]

The minimum width of a public footpath is 1m and the landowner is responsible for keeping the right of way clear of any overgrowth, such as hedges, maintaining stiles and gates and keeping the path FREE FROM OBSTRUCTION. The electric fencing should definitely not be positioned across the path.

 

[millitiger]

I would just go around tbh.

As long as there is a route which is clear and ok to walk along from one stile/gate to the next I don't feel the need to walk exactly along the footpath according to the map

 

[Clodagh]

You can put leccy fence across a path but it must have a handle and be clearly signed. If they haven't done it properly I would go round, it would be horrible for your pup to have a zap.

 

[Carlosmum]

If you plan to use the path regularly & it is continually blocked by leccy fencing, ring the Council & contact the local footpath officer. It can be done annonamously so the owner of the field doen't know who complained.