Walking/Hiking Answers

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Throwing Balls for Dogs

Hi, I am lucky enough to have a ten plus acre field at the back of my house.The owner has no problem with dog walkers using the field to exercise our dogs. most of the residents in the ten house terrace have lived here for over thirty years and have used this field for our dogs. The problems started when a new private estate was built nearby and about one hundred new dogs gradually joined our merry band, all was well, most dogs were well behaved and well socialized, until a young couple arrived with 3 lovely king Charles spaniels who themselves are no problem, its the plastic ball launcher that's the problem, the dogs owners insist on launching balls constantly while other dogs are in the field resulting in other dogs chasing and im afraid pinching their balls the guilty dog is then called a thief a thug and dog owners told off. many of us have asked politely that they don't throw balls when other dogs are present, They have refused and said the other dogs are out of control and should be on a lead.They seem to believe that their dogs are fine running loose and the problem is with the other dogs. Some dog owners have suggested we all throw balls,, with 20 plus dogs in the field at a time this would be in my opinion Bedlam. Could you please help I know we cant go back to just our little terrace having access, and wouldn't want to, my dogs now have lots of friends and we often end up with other peoples dogs tagging along 'while one of ours disappears into the woods with their owner and we swap back later it really is lovely here can you help I don't like bad feelings and think there is plenty of room for us all I haven't bothered the fields owner as I am afraid he may stop everybody from using the field altogether then we all lose out. I would be thrilled if you could come up with an amicable solution to this problem as tempers are rising and I am afraid things may get out of control . . . sincerely yours

Mary Charlton Ashington

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