GGrrr! why do people walk their dogs on unlit fields in the dark without carrying a torch or having at least something reflective on themselves and their dogs? I have a head light and the dogs have flashing collars.

This morning I was dong my normal walk at 6:00 am thinking the field was empty as it normally is at that time in the morning I let my old boy off his lead. The only reason I keep him on lead if there are other dogs around is now his hearing is going his recall is not what it used to be. Especially if there is a nice little girl nearby.

I let him off this morning and he wandered off to water the trees as usual but then I noticed him heading away from me with a purposeful look about him. I called him but either he didn't or chose not to hear me.

Then I realised there was a man with a dog across the field. I wasn't too worried as my boy hasn't got an aggressive bone in his body but I know not everyone wants another dog following them round. Unfortunately the other dog was obviously not so friendly as it started barking at him. Thankfully he soon decided to come back to me and hadn't been hurt by the other dog.
The man with the other dog did shout something at me but I couldn't hear him but it sounded cross. If I had been able to see him I would have kept my dog on his lead but I just didn't know he was there as he had no lights or reflective clothing.

Lights destroy your natural night vision. The other morning I was out with dogs well before dawn, and another dog walker approached with a powerful torch which he shone at me. I was completely dazzled - couldn't see a thing for about 30 seconds - had no idea where my dogs were - literally blinded - and it was several minutes after he'd gone that I could see properly, able to see right across the field, by the starlight again.

Well obviously having a bright light shone in your eyes will have that effect! Same as a high beam on a car will. and shining it at people is just bad manners!
But I don't think it is unreasonable to think that in complete darkness people could at least wear something reflective. And how do they know where their dogs are and what they are doing if there is no light on on them?

The light doesn't have to be shone in your eyes; you only have to see it and, if your pupils are fully dilated to use the available light (as your dogs' eyes will also) then anything bright will cause them to contract and you won't be able to see properly. I take a torch so I can see where the poo is to pick it up, but then have to turn it off and it'll be a while before I can see properly again.

>I don't think it is unreasonable to think that in complete darkness people could at least wear something reflective.

Reflective clothing is essential for walking on unlit roads in the dark, especially where there's no pavement, but where there's no lights to reflect they're just ordinary clothing. Even in the middle of the night, especially a clear night, there is very rarely 'complete darkness', as long as your eyes have become adjusted to the available light. Unless you have vision problems there should be no need for a torch. A red light on a dark dog's collar is all that's needed - light coloured dogs are visible in natural darkness.

Remember that people flashing torches all over the place are as annoying to others as people without lights and relying on moonlight/starlight are to you! :-)

> Lights destroy your natural night vision.

Yes. I can't walk the dog in the dark with a torch, I hate having my vision limited to the torch beam, it's far too restrictive.
I do, however, now take a torch out in the dark, a little one that dangles off my wrist. Having it shining directly downwards doesn't change my natural vision, it's on so people can see me, if I see anybody approaching, I flash the torch beam on Buster to make sure he can be seen too.
The only problem I've had with the toch on my wrist is nearly blinding myself -  I forgot I had the the torch on my wrist as I bent over Buster, in his hi-viz vest, to get a poop-bag out of the little bag on his harness, the torch beam caught one of the reflective strips on the vest as I was very close, had to stand around for a few moments waiting for my eyes to adjust!

The field I walk Buster in is extremely dark in one place some nights (the hill). Buster almost stood on a black dog as we were going up the hill in the field. I had my hi-viz trousers on, Buster had his hi-viz vest on,we simply did not see the man & his leashed dog walking down towards us. They obviously didn't see us either. We gave each other a bit of a shock, I'm just very glad the old chap was not afraid of Buster or he could have been really shook up. We had a little chat while the dogs greeted & sniffed. But, boy!!! what a shock that was. That's when I started wearing the torch on my wrist, at least I can be seen. I'd hate the look of Buster to frighten somebody at night, it's a bad enough shock bumping into a more normal size dog, so I'd rather we could be seen to be there.

I'm the same with my bad eyesight I am far better in the dark than a torch which just dazzles me and stops me seeing past the light source.

the reason i dont carry a torch is because my loony collies go bananas for the beam,also why i havnt tried a light on their collar,can just imagine the mayhem that would cause!but i do sympathise with the op,i once had my dogs(not current ones)chase a bike across a footpath in a dark field,he yelled at them and i yelled back"if youd had your lights on i would have seen you and not let them off!"I also prefer to not use a torch,i can usually see enough,but i do worry when i see someone come off the lit road,knowing they wont be able to see me,so i beat a hasty retreat.

I don't carry a torch either!! I find it stops me stalking everyone else!! Teasing!! I find it harder to see what's happening.

Sounds like it was a member of the aggressive dog gang which ar 6 in the morning you'll find a lot of them about!!

Although I think hats off you after New Years Eve to be about at that time in the morning!! There's only one 6 o'clock in my day!!

>But I don't think it is unreasonable to think that in complete darkness people could at least wear something reflective. And how do they know where their dogs are and what they are doing if there is no light on on them?

I keep mine on their leads.  We use the dreaded flexi leads so they have freedom but are close enough to me that they aren't getting into mischief.