Okay senario;
I was walking Sal in the park when she saw a squirrell; now she gave chase but only half heartedly as she has never caught one and they nromaly fly up a tree - which I figure she knows now so just runs after them because they run!!! I doubt she'd know what to do it if she caught it. Her food comes out of the cupbaord or fridge :)
Anyhow I called her back as she was going the opposite way to me. She turned on a wide arch and came back - no fuss.
A man passing said "Its against the law to hunt with a dog" !!!!!!!! PANIC.

I just mumbled  something like - "don't be daft, she's just chased a squirrel - shes a dog - they do that!"

Anyhow  I walked off so did he. I don't know if he was serious or not, when I got back to the car I did start to wonder if I have broken the law? or is it against the law for dogs not to chase other animals??

Karen

Nope ..according to the DEFRA site :

*The Act makes clear that hunting with dogs includes engaging alone or participating with others in the pursuit of a wild mammal where a dog is used in that pursuit. Hunting should be understood in its ordinary English meaning, which includes searching for wild mammals, chasing them, or pursuing them with the intention of catching or killing them. Hunting is an intentional activity and there can be no such thing as unintentional hunting. Thus, if a dog runs off after a squirrel in the park, the person accompanying the dog would not be guilty of unlawful hunting (unless he or she then used the dog to hunt the squirrel).*

HTH

Melody :D

The law doesn't come into effect until midnight on February 18th :)

Daisy

Perhaps he was taking the mick?

Perhaps he was taking the "mick".  Although he looked serious enough.
Thanks Karen

There again it could be the fact I had my shotgun sticking out of my handbag :D No seriously it did make me think - as I can walk Sal through cattle/sheep/ponies in Suton park and she does not blink an eye. His comment did worry me though - because Staffs get such bad press I had visions of being the first "Stafford fined for hunting" Which would just be my luck - especialy as Sal has no money therefore I'd end up paying ;)

Should have said "I'm not hunting, I'm just trying to catch one of natures lickle speed bumps" :D :D

RFLOL @ Chloe :D

on exmoor weve had loads of "hoax" warning signs up,telling us to keep are dogs on the lead or we would be prosetcuted under the hunting act,& saying even if our dogs followed a scent on the lead we would be!
they were all done on offical looking exmoor NP logo signs too!
now i cant work out,if they were from extremists or actually the pro-hunts??????

You should've retorted..."well you should stay in  on a friday night and let the lads go out without you!" :D

  I wouldn't let him bother you, silly little man!

CHLOE I am shocked !!!!!  :D :D
Dawn.

Kazz - it was the squirrel tails dangling from your hat that put him on to you :D :D :D

That and the fact that Sal was wearing a nice huntin' pink coat :D :D

Margot

Hmm you have a point there Margot - reflecting on it, I think it may have been the fact she was riding side saddle at the time that caught his attention?
I mean not many Staffies ride side saddle do they I've told her but she does not listen.....NO.....:) 

Perhaps it was the big diamond and platinum ring she was wearing as well :D :D

Daisy

No Daisy she takes that off when she put the Emeralds on :)

Yes - but as it's a new pressy she might want to wear it ;) ;)

Daisy

But what about the earrings???

Margot

...and Karen was blowing a horn :D :D :D