How far could this go though? Perhaps you could set up a tent in my front garden, LOL!
There are laws relating to such matters, whether Bye-laws, Common Law, Civil Law, or law of Statute relating to the liability of owners of land etc. Overall, it's quite a big issue.
Landowners can 'protect/guard' their land very possessively.....as I discovered recently when walking on a bridle path with my young dog. He's being trained to flush pheasants and twice ventured under a fence onto grassland to follow a scent just a few feet on the grass. Within seconds the farmer/landowner roared across the field on a quad bike, threatened to shoot my dog if it worried his sheep etc. When I replied that my dog had been trained to accept sheep and other farm animals he scoffed and said that if only he'd had a £1 for every dog-owner who'd said such things.
I also said that his sheep were in any event on the far side of the (enormous) field but he then went on about my dog (a 9 month old puppy) joining up with other dogs to become a wild pack which could be led by a sheep-chasing dog to destroy his lambs! (I wonder how many times in all his years as a farmer he's actually had dogs worry his sheep!)
He then went on about my dog disturbing the wildlife in the hedges either side of the bridle path (which is outside the field fence!) and the fact that his gamekeeper would be most upset. I said something about not having seen any feed hoppers etc near the boundaries as the keeper probably wanted his birds in the drives elsewhere, and probably 'dogged-in' the hedges before a shoot so the birds retuned to land near their release pen and he then said that as I obviously knew something about country life I should have understood and kept my dog on a lead at all times.
I didn't trespass on his land. I didn't send my dog onto his land. I have every respect for land ownership. My dog was introduced to sheep and other farm animals on 6 different farms at a very young age and will walk through a field of them with no problem. He was raised on a farm small-holding with loads of other animals and birds. But, he was within his rights to ask me to keep my dog off his land....though the way he did so was quite threatening and nasty. (There was quite a lot more 'discussion' but I can't recollect all of it now).
I will return with a video camera to record what happens when anyone walks past his massive farm house......an his 3 dogs arrive at high speed as a snarling, barking pack which concerned me, let alone my daughter. They seemed really vicious.
I have since heard other stories from local dog-walkers who have been harrassed in much worse ways and in every case he's threatened to use his shotgun.
In all such cases, 'reasonableness' should be the key.....and if he shot my dog it would almost certainly be considered unreasonable......as many keepers, beaters & guns would testify that my dog has never chased anything.....just flushed pheasants and partridges. Though I'm not sure I wouldn't end up in court if he did shoot my dog.....cos I'd probably lose my rag!!!
The Law exists to control and restrict people/actions and to ensure that we all meet certain standards - for the benefit of all. My question is always one of 'interpretation' of those laws and the application of common sense/circumstances.
Most field entrances near me are now blocked my massive tree stumps and blocks of concrete. Not far away there is a country park which is secured by gates and locks.....yet a group of gypsies/pikies used cutting equipment to try to gain access. There are many instances of such people causing chaos.
Yet there is a well-spoken 'Romany' with his Romany wife (truly) who has often camped nearby, is accepted by all of us (and I take knives, machettes etc to him for sharpenning - not cos I can't do it myself but cos it's easier...and helps him) .....and whenever they leave their pitch they make sure it's spotless, apart from the wheelmarks and fire residue.
His actions are reasonable and acceptable - but some people's are not...and they ruin it for the rest of us.
My 18 year-old daughter watched me open a farm gate recently, followed me through and then failed to close the gate herself! How many visitors to land would drop similar faux-pas?
I understand where you are coming from, but I think it's probably not workable/acceptable because there is such a difference in knowledge and understanding in the big wide world.
Stickler
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