I walked mine when she was in heat, you can't keep them cooped up! I did everything you did and people were respectful. Sorry you had to meet such a cockwomble on your walk.
Exactly! It’s wild to me that some people think that dogs in heat are able to be kept to short walks where there are no other dogs around. And god forbid anyone breaks the law and has their dog off lead - that is apparently the fault of the female dogs owner.