Secure feild issue AIBU??

[[59851]]

I probably am - I'm an unreasonable old bat these days as I have very little patience with what I deem to be entititled and stupid people....

So there's a great circular walk near me takes about and hour or so on Public footpaths so off road and not too populated so you don't meet many people just in this one place where the public footpath runs through a farm, the footpath is also access to the farm yard a livery stables and several cottages. Alongside this footpath is a secure field rented out to dog owners, a few times I have done this walk I have been chunteredat for having a dog with me on the PF and it's been mentioned that I really shouldn't be walking there with a dog because it might upset dogs in the run.... I have ignored it as I have a legal right to walk there dog and all who are always on lead at heel and tucked over as far from the run fence as possible, my dogs also totally ignore any other dog that is in the run.

Now this morning I had some neurotic harriden screaming at me while her dog was throwing it's self at the fence that I must not under any circumstances walk past the run while she's using it as her dog is reactive....I wasn't in the mood so just walked on and ignored her and she followed me down the fenceline calling me a CWUNT - that's when I told her I wouldn't NOT be bullied off the footpath and her dog was her problem not mine and she should be trying to actually train the thing rather than letting it guard and patrol the run, she then said I was unreasonable and she had paid to use the run so I had to find another place to walk....I can avoid the run but that involves walking along a 60mph stretch of road to rejoin from another path, something I am not prepared to do.

I have contacted the owner of the run and doing a little bit of local digging it seems I'm not the only one who has had issues with clients of this run - I checked the website and it has some blurb on it being perfect for reactive dogs when It quite clearly isn't.
I am going to invest in a bodycam I think as why should I be bullied off this lovely walk because a 100yards of fence and idiot owners.

 

[Roxylola]

You're not unreasonable. I'd suggest the people who provide the field are being deceptive about how suitable it is.

 

[Tiddlypom]

You are not being unreasonable.

It’s daft to site a secure dog exercise field right next to a public footpath, but that is not your problem.

 

[Amymay Again]

You're not being unreasonable at all. It sounds like it's pretty poorly set up (the dog field that is) if it borders right up to the foot path. I certainly wouldn't alter my walking route because of rude, entitled people. And quite frankly if it's that much of an issue the owners should double fence it.

A little word with the licensing authority should sort the issue out pretty quickly I'd guess.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

You could write some factual reviews on the dog field outlining that it has a footpath running down one side of it, so to reconsider for reactive dogs.. it's nothing but honest

 

[blackcob]

YANBU, it's irresponsible of them to market it as suitable for reactive dogs if there's a right of way alongside it. The woman was unhinged to think she could demand that you not use the right of way, but I have some sympathy if she's been deceived as to the nature of the field's location and suitability.

Our most local field has a very similar set-up - bridleway one side, footpath second side, livestock third side - which I always thought a poor choice.

 

[CorvusCorax]

No, they should not be marketing it as suitable for reactive dogs if it is beside a public footpath.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

No you are not being unreasonable. It's amazing how 'secure' fields are popping up everywhere, many of them are completely unsuitable for multiple reasons.

 

[meleeka]

No, they should not be marketing it as suitable for reactive dogs if it is beside a public footpath.

This. Perhaps the people that use it aren't aware there's a footpath running next to it and are paying money for a secluded space for their reactive dog (not that that gives them any right to abuse you!). Next time I'd advise them to complain themselves as they are the ones being misled.

 

[[59851]]

Thankyou guys - I didn't think I was. I have emailed the owners of said field and what a brilliant idea to leave a Google review.

 

[blackcob]

Take a look at their Ts and Cs too - all our local ones have a clause about client behaviour along the lines of being able to ban people for behaving in a disrespectful or abusive manner. They might sack this one off on the basis of your email.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Your not being unreasonable at all. They could market as great for 'training' of reactive dogs but not just to let reactive digs off to run riot.

 

[I'm Dun]

I'd be camping out there with my dogs if people were doing that, but I'm an idiot and do stupid things so don't do that! Mine are dog neutral and couldn't care less about other dogs. If your dog is in a secure run and being a prat then its for you to deal with, not for me to never come there in case you get upset.

 

[Dam1]

Can you check if they actually have planning permission for the field ?
Someone in our village just started charging people to use his small paddock which backed onto a row of houses. There were many complaints and he was stopped in the end by planning enforcement as there was no actual permission in place x

 

[TGM]

Ditto what Dam1 has said about planning. I know a local secure field had to close as it didn’t have planning and the council said it wouldn’t get retrospective planning because there was poor visibility on the vehicle access. Obviously try the nicer route of communicating with the field owner first but it might be a back up plan.

 

[9tails]

I would be standing there mouth agape if some ramdomer called me the C word while walking a public footpath. I'd also get my phone out and start filming, then send it to the field owners.

 

[webble]

No you are not being unreasonable. It's amazing how 'secure' fields are popping up everywhere, many of them are completely unsuitable for multiple reasons.

There is one right next to a bridleway near us and its a right pain, seems to be a new money spinner

 

[paddy555]

I would be changing my walking route to make sure it included that stretch of footpath many times each walk. May well have to stop for a little rest there if I was "tired" All the shouting and swearing would amuse me

 

[cold_feet]

Report it to your council rights of way officer.

 

[JFTDWS]

There is one right next to a bridleway near us and its a right pain, seems to be a new money spinner

At £10-15 / hour, for a small patch of land and very little ongoing work or cost (after fencing and some enrichment), you can see why it's popular as a source of additional revenue. And personally I'm all for it, if it takes a few idiots off public land with their unrecallable / untrained dogs - if it's suitable land, and has been enclosed appropriately.

However, the OP's situation is outrageous, and there's no excuse for the aggressive behaviour of the owner. The field owner is, of course, also a knob if they've marketed it as suitable for reactive dogs - that is something I'd be posting reveiws about / publicising on social media. I'd also be filming any aggressive conduct from owners using the field.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’d say the users are being a bit silly. There is a dog field near me and a path that passes. I’d not even noticed before as the enterance is a different place and I’d not really put two and two together.
There was a dog in it and I had my lab off lead on the footpath- they both showed interest in each other and I stopped to say hello to Its owner. (Through the fence) I think they quite liked the opportunity to practice recall with a distraction.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

They should screen off the stretch if they’re billing it as great for reactive dogs. Very silly of them not to have ‘dog proofed’ it properly.

 

[marmalade76]

There is one right next to a bridleway near us and its a right pain, seems to be a new money spinner

On the Farm wives group they're said to be the most profitable patch of ground on a farm.

 

[webble]

On the Farm wives group they're said to be the most profitable patch of ground on a farm.

I can imagine and I think they are a great idea but in the right place

 

[Goldenstar]

Field needs a solid fence on the offending side.

 

[poiuytrewq]

On the Farm wives group they're said to be the most profitable patch of ground on a farm.

There is a farm wives group? Totally ott (sorry) but I had a farm wife question and no one to ask it

 

[marmalade76]

There is a farm wives group? Totally ott (sorry) but I had a farm wife question and no one to ask it

I'm not really a farm wife, mine's a contractor.

 

[Boulty]

It is the responsibility of the owner of the dog field to ensure appropriate fencing & screening alongside the footpath. It is also their responsibility to ensure they advertise their facility accurately including mention of close proximity to public footpath.

It is up to the owner of the dog to assess the suitably of the field for their dog to be offlead.

If they feel the owner of the field has been less than honest re the setup then they are entitled to ask for a refund (I have done this once when I specifically asked if any busy roads in close proximity, was told no & there was a flyover right behind! Had to abandon my booking as unsuitable for traffic reactive dog. They did apologise & refund)

I’d be interested to know if they have planning for this use of the field…

 

[Shantara]

As someone who relies on these fields, I too would be cross if there was a footpath running along the edge that I wasn't aware of until someone walked down there. However, it would not be the person walking that I would be angry with! The owners of the field (like many others have said) needs to sort it. I'm sorry you had to deal with that, I hope it can be resolved!

 

[MissTyc]

As someone who relies on these fields, I too would be cross if there was a footpath running along the edge that I wasn't aware of until someone walked down there. However, it would not be the person walking that I would be angry with! The owners of the field (like many others have said) needs to sort it. I'm sorry you had to deal with that, I hope it can be resolved!

Thia! I am very grateful that all the ones I use have good screening to prevent such situations.