cyclist vs. dog owners on judge judy

brianappleby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p12x52UzJsc

thoughts?

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kjmillig

You go, Judge Judy!!!!!
Somebody smack the dog owner for even thinking that the bike rider was in any way responsible!

linux_author

- most dog owners are responsible, but in the past year i have met some very, very stupid dog owners...

Dchiefransom

As a mailman, I'd say that attitude exists in about 50% of dog owners, or more.

Bicure

There are two kinds of people in the world, as watching Judge Judy will demonstrate:

- Those that get it (the bike rider in this case)

- Those that are clueless (the dog owners in this case)

Wino Ryder

Thanks for the link. :D

I especially liked the part of the defendants claim that the cyclist was there at the wrong time and the wrong place, and that it was his fault for hitting their dog.

Lame, but beautiful :D

ChipSeal

DOG OWNER; "...he had plenty of other roads to ride on!" :rolleyes: :p

Hickeydog

"Lets assume I woke up in a good mood." LMAO!!! :D

MichaelJay

Owners like these seem to be everywhere. Am I the only one who feels that allowing a dog to chase people should be a criminal offense? I bet he is one of those guys who lays on the horn as he passes too! Judge Judy did great.

-=£em in Pa=-

Judys great !

Dog owners are one of the most inconsiderate
blocs of humans we suffer today. I am reminded
of this by the people on every block of every city
who let their dogs bark, tied up outside for hours at
a time. And sadly enuff, a lot of these humans who
inflict themselves on the poor canines in their role as
'owner', will or have reproduced.

mandovoodoo

Letting dogs run "at large" is a crime here in Tennessee. The law essentially establishes almost strict liability for damage by such dogs. Which is useful; we've got a claim right now against a dog owner that has resulted in all medical and property damage being covered so far, with no release signed yet. Without the at large law we would likely have had to sue to establish liability.

Back in the old days, special light guns were marketed just for cyclists to deal with dogs. Unfortunately I expect people have the same respect for and skill with guns these days as they do with cars. But I've thought about a taser and a big stick. Dogs get trained pretty easily through trauma.

EnigManiac

Did you hear Mrs. Jones ask 'if I was backing out of my driveway and he hit me, he wouldn't have any responsibility at all?' I more than chuckled at that. I actually hoped Judy would reply with 'Well, of course not, you silly woman! You are not supposed to enter a roadway until traffic has cleared, until it is safe to do so.' The defendants both have a very odd sense of responsibility and right and wrong. Victims are not at fault.

Good link. Thanks for posting it!

mikepop

Judys great !

Dog owners are one of the most inconsiderate
blocs of humans we suffer today. I am reminded
of this by the people on every block of every city
who let their dogs bark, tied up outside for hours at
a time. And sadly enuff, a lot of these humans who
inflict themselves on the poor canines in their role as
'owner', will or have reproduced.

Did you mean to say "some" dog owners? Because obviously you are not seeing the dogs owned by the responsible dog owners, because those dogs are not tied up and barking.

Also, I'm not sure if "poor dog ownership skills" is a genetic trait :) Maybe if they reproduce they can have their kid walk the dog once in a while.

kjmillig

Thank you. My dogs stay in the house and occasionally venture into in the back yard. Once in a while they bark at other dogs behind or beside us or at someone walking in the front door. I would be very angry if my dogs got out the front door and got hit in the street, but there's no way I could blame the driver/rider in the road.
Now about the people down the street......

monk

I've always found it curious that "bike riders" aren't necessarily frowned upon by most people but "cyclists" are. If a housewife wearing bermuda shorts, a t-shirt and no helmet had run into the dog, I bet the dog owner would have been mortified and you certainly wouldn't have him saying it was the bike riders fault. However, as "cyclists" with our expensive bikes, bright-colored lycra and helmets, we're considered to be more of a nusiance for some reason. For example, a guy in jeans and a baseball hat plodding alongside the rode on a bike carrying a grocery bag would rarely be yelled or honked at by motorists like we are on a routine basis. Why is this?

Kerlenbach

Monk asks a very good question, and his premise is clearly correct. Think about it like this: The causal jogger plodding past is non-threatening because he is a lot like the people walking along the sidewalk. The runner who zips past is more alien - she's doing something the average person can't do, and some people view it almost as though she is mocking them ("Look how darn good at this I am!") It's not true, of course, but that's how many people look at it. It's the same with cycling, and even moreso. Most folks have ridden a bike, but I bet fewer than 10% have ever gone over 15 mph, and less than 1% have done a mile at 15 mph. So someone going by at 20, and dressed oddly to boot, is just plain showing off. Am I right?

Regarding the video, it's simply scary how clueless so many people are. That's why it is so important to ride defensively.

nekohime

I've always found it curious that "bike riders" aren't necessarily frowned upon by most people but "cyclists" are. If a housewife wearing bermuda shorts, a t-shirt and no helmet had run into the dog, I bet the dog owner would have been mortified and you certainly wouldn't have him saying it was the bike riders fault. However, as "cyclists" with our expensive bikes, bright-colored lycra and helmets, we're considered to be more of a nusiance for some reason. For example, a guy in jeans and a baseball hat plodding alongside the rode on a bike carrying a grocery bag would rarely be yelled or honked at by motorists like we are on a routine basis. Why is this?

*raises hand*

Because lycra looks funny?

Actually, I don't know. I'm one of the "housewife" type (but with helmet), plodding along on my dinky folder. The worst I get are eye-rolling people who think I'm going too slow but will not hassle me because I'm female.

monk

Because lycra looks funny?

Okay, let me throw another one at you . . . skin-tight pants are fine on football players. What's wrong with them on cyclists?!?

commuterBOBbie

...So someone going by at 20, and dressed oddly to boot, is just plain showing off.

Two other factors to consider:

1) If you look like you're riding for transportation vs riding for recreation, it might make a difference. There is no validity to that either - but worse than being on their road in their way, is appearing to cost them an all-important 2.6 seconds while frivolously playing with a toy.

2) Acquired hostility: roadies in flashy jerseys on expensive bikes are the most visible cyclists. They are often seen riding in large packs, sometimes obstructing traffic and violating the right-of-way of others at red lights and stop signs.

There are 3 significant "racer" groups in this town and in all three areas where they ride, there is a significant increase in motorist hostility to cyclists.

Also, I noticed a decrease in harassment when I switched from wearing a cycling jersey to a T-shirt while commuting. I'm still going 18-20 mph.

monk

Also, I noticed a decrease in harassment when I switched from wearing a cycling jersey to a T-shirt while commuting. I'm still going 18-20 mph.

I've often thought of doing this . . . in some motorists' minds you might go from "bike geek" to "a guy riding a bike . . ." But then you're probably less visible and sweat becomes more of a problem. We can't win . . .

fzrdave

That was a great link and what a couple of idiot dog owners.

Pepper Grinder

The plaintiff in the case is a member here; I believe he posted a thread on this attack (with a link to the video) some time in the past.

Mr. Miskatonic

Okay, let me throw another one at you . . . skin-tight pants are fine on football players. What's wrong with them on cyclists?!?

We don't wear as much padding or use as many steroids. :)

nekohime

Okay, let me throw another one at you . . . skin-tight pants are fine on football players. What's wrong with them on cyclists?!?

Well, fwiw, I hate lycra on football players. Big muscle-bound hulks in tights? NO, please spare me the spectacle. :p I just find lycra funny in general. Maybe it's because I got so sick of it in the years I was doing ballet and other sorts of dance.

commuterBOBbie

I've often thought of doing this . . . in some motorists' minds you might go from "bike geek" to "a guy riding a bike . . ." But then you're probably less visible and sweat becomes more of a problem. We can't win . . .

I have several florescent colored T-shirts. Bright, solid colors are actually more visible than multi-colored jerseys.

I actually made the switch because of sweat. I get soaked on the way to work regardless of what I wear, but the jerseys STINK after they dry. In summer, I ended up having to carry a second one with me to wear home. Cotton isn't laundry fresh, but at least it doesn't reek.

-=£em in Pa=-

Two other factors to consider:

1) If you look like you're riding for transportation vs riding for recreation, it might make a difference. There is no validity to that either - but worse than being on their road in their way, is appearing to cost them an all-important 2.6 seconds while frivolously playing with a toy.

2) Acquired hostility: roadies in flashy jerseys on expensive bikes are the most visible cyclists. They are often seen riding in large packs, sometimes obstructing traffic and violating the right-of-way of others at red lights and stop signs.

There are 3 significant "racer" groups in this town and in all three areas where they ride, there is a significant increase in motorist hostility to cyclists.

Also, I noticed a decrease in harassment when I switched from wearing a cycling jersey to a T-shirt while commuting. I'm still going 18-20 mph.

Great post.
My findings are exactly the same.
I purposely urban camouflage for my ride through the ghetto.
Also, I found a USA flag on the the side of the road so I picked it
up and put it on the back of my trunk. Instantaniously I noticed
a huge positive effect on room I got from traffic. Really !
It stays on the bike, now.

StrangeWill

Great post.
My findings are exactly the same.
I purposely urban camouflage for my ride through the ghetto.
Also, I found a USA flag on the the side of the road so I picked it
up and put it on the back of my trunk. Instantaniously I noticed
a huge positive effect on room I got from traffic. Really !
It stays on the bike, now.

But, your aerodynamics!

tandemedge

I believe the dog owners are typical of most people when it comes to cycling or the rules of the road ... clueless! I was waiting for the dog owners to question the $5000 purchase price of the bike. Like those two ever ventured into a bike shop outside of bike desplay at Walmart.

Bicure

How great is Judge Judy?

She is a BIG dog lover, and has several canine companions.

But this is far from the first time she's hammered idiots who didn't properly handle their canine buddies. (She even found for a defendant who shot a dog!)

She is tough, and INCREDIBLY good at slicing through the bullsh*t.

And how great is Kerlenbach (inspired by Monk)?

Quote:

"Monk asks a very good question, and his premise is clearly correct. Think about it like this: The causal jogger plodding past is non-threatening because he is a lot like the people walking along the sidewalk. The runner who zips past is more alien - she's doing something the average person can't do, and some people view it almost as though she is mocking them ("Look how darn good at this I am!") It's not true, of course, but that's how many people look at it. It's the same with cycling, and even moreso. Most folks have ridden a bike, but I bet fewer than 10% have ever gone over 15 mph, and less than 1% have done a mile at 15 mph. So someone going by at 20, and dressed oddly to boot, is just plain showing off. Am I right?"

It's REALLY inportant to understand this as part of the hatred that motorists feel.

They feel as though they're being mocked, and this mockery reminds them (on an unconscious level) of how insanely caged & enslaved they are.

So - in true human fashion - they honk at, scream at & assualt we cyclists rather than addressing the root cause of their unease.

meaculpa

I work in an animal shelter but this video clip was familiar for another reason: wrong place + wrong time = cyclist's fault. Thats the logic of the woman who pulled out into my lane causing me to flip over her car hood. I was going too fast(17 in a 25 zone) therefore it was partially "my fault". Thats what they want to hear, then they can wedge that into "you, the injured cyclist, can only get a little bit of $ out of me." As opposed to a huge lawsuit which is their fear? Or am I out on thin logical ice on this last sentence?

The lady who pulled in front of me (I was going 17 in 25 zone w/ RgtofWay) said I was "going so fast" and that my accident was not all her fault. Basically: she was unable to conceive that she totally ****ed up and own up to it. Dog owners? Car drivers? Come on. No diff. *Cyclists should not be out on the road.* Why you ask? Simple. They are a slim %, the minority's minority. As more people take up cycling, this POV will become more ridiculous on its face. Its not right vs wrong. Its down to numbers.

mrpsmr

I've always found it curious that "bike riders" aren't necessarily frowned upon by most people but "cyclists" are. If a housewife wearing bermuda shorts, a t-shirt and no helmet had run into the dog, I bet the dog owner would have been mortified and you certainly wouldn't have him saying it was the bike riders fault. However, as "cyclists" with our expensive bikes, bright-colored lycra and helmets, we're considered to be more of a nusiance for some reason. For example, a guy in jeans and a baseball hat plodding alongside the rode on a bike carrying a grocery bag would rarely be yelled or honked at by motorists like we are on a routine basis. Why is this?

You already included in your post the reason why....because he is riding alongside the road and not in the middle of it.:p

Six jours

They feel as though they're being mocked, and this mockery reminds them (on an unconscious level) of how insanely caged & enslaved they are.

Yeah, I experience that daily on my drive in to work. :roflmao:

Booger1

Don't let your dog off the leash or out of the yard when I'm riding by,or we won't have to worry about your dog anymore.He will be in doggy Heaven and you will be paying any medical costs.

littlewaywelt

There are two kinds of people in the world, as watching Judge Judy will demonstrate:

- Those that get it (the bike rider in this case)

- Those that are clueless (the dog owners in this case)

There are two more kinds of ppl, those that watch judge judy and those that don't.

Biketime

Good on da Judge. But it works both ways. Dog off leash running into the street and gets clipped by a car, I don't the driver is liable.

indexdothtml

Definitely agree with the inferiority complex, I have a friend who has every reason to hate her life (and does) and everytime I talk to her, she insists on repeating her new mantra "friends don't let friends ride bikes" *sigh* I'm about 15 pounds lighter than her though... so...