Hi every one.
Well it's been a nightmare, but we've just moved to our new house, in a village location.
It's great! loads of places to walk Emmy my chocolate lab.
I just wondered if there are certain rules about walking public footpaths and bridleways. I've been a townie most of my life, so all this country air is new to me!
I've noticed some gates say to keep your dog on a lead some don't, but then I've seen a few people who's dogs are off lead when the gate said they shouldn't. (not got close enough to ask them if it's allowed or not). I'm guessing that it probably would be ok to let Emmy off lead if there are no animals in the field we are walking through? I don't want to upset any farmers, is there any footpath ettiquite (sp) that I'm missing out on!? Thanks

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/info/factsheets/footpathlaw.html

At some times of year you should keep your dogs on a lead if there are ground nesting birds or game being reared for shooting etc.  A lot of people are unaware of this and because they do not see sheep etc just let their dogs off anywhere.  Technically you can be sued for trespass if you and your dog leave the footpath.

Thanks Tohme, that link was very informative. Cheers.

We have a foot path that goes through one of my fields where my ponies are it has been closed for years but now decided to open it up
(fools) any way i have put up notices and have got the local council to put some up as we had some stupid idiots walking there dogs through off lead and running all over the place some one saw them when i was away and told them to keep them on a lead and under control as my ponies were not to happy, so i would say if you are walking any where near or through where animals are PLEASE keep your dogs on a lead .