Foo - I did the right thing but still feel guilty!

Yesterday, I was riding on a country road, and out of nowhere 3 gorgeous Stafordshire Bull Terriers (pitbulls) came out of a driveway. They were obviously healthy, well cared for dogs, but they were coming at me! and fast. I started accellerating, but they cut me off, so for the first time, I used the pepper spray I keep in my back pocket. I heard a yelp, and hightailed it out of there.

I know that if I hadn't acted quickly, I could be in the hospital right now, but I love dogs and feel guilty about hurting one. Stupid owners!:notamused:

Use a horn. It won't damage them.

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Air horn? Please.

OP: How effective would you say the pepper spray was? At what distance did you spray? How well did you hit the target(s)? Even if you "love" dogs, why feel guilty about defending yourself?

I hit the lead dog only, at a distance of about 8 feet. I got the spray from my mail carrier who warned me about such occurances. I got him right between the eyes and it stopped him. At that point I rode as fast as I could to get away, and did not look back for about 1/2 mile!

[QUOTE=cofgrn;9655474]Air horn? Please.

They work. Stops the dogs cold.


http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/1b2h.jpg

It's not your fault, it's the bonehead owner's fault, allowed their vicious dogs to run loose. Idiots.

Glad you escaped unscathed.

Yeah no worries. You did the right thing, One of them could have ripped you apart (and you said there were three).

Also: 10, got enough stuff on your (presumably commuter) bike there? Jeez!

Good thing it wasn't some thief in an Armani suit?

when dogs come after me i just stop and yell NO! at them. they always stop and slink off...

when dogs come after me i just stop and yell NO! at them. they always stop and slink off...

Sometimes that works, but sometimes it doesn't. Pit bulls can be single-minded enough in going after someone/something, that you would practically have to kill them to make them stop. When one (or three) come(s) after you, you have no way of knowing if noise will work or not until you try it. Having Plan B ready is a good idea, and the spray's a lot more humane that pulling out a Glock.

when dogs come after me i just stop and yell NO! at them. they always stop and slink off...

So, 3 pit bulls, charging after you. You are going to stop? I love animals (I have 5 of my own) but no way am I stopping to take that chance. I know they have an instinct to run after moving things, but many dogs also are bred to fight! (see USA v. Vick 2007) I am NOT going to take that chance!

You did the right thing man. I'm glad you are okay; that's what is really important.

Couch

Sometimes that works, but sometimes it doesn't. Pit bulls can be single-minded enough in going after someone/something, that you would practically have to kill them to make them stop. When one (or three) come(s) after you, you have no way of knowing if noise will work or not until you try it. Having Plan B ready is a good idea, and the spray's a lot more humane that pulling out a Glock.

well that's probably true,

I don't live or bike in neighborhoods where pitbulls are largely present... it works great w/ labs and golden retrievers... :)

Yesterday, I was riding on a country road, and out of nowhere 3 gorgeous Stafordshire Bull Terriers (pitbulls) came out of a driveway. They were obviously healthy, well cared for dogs, but they were coming at me! and fast. I started accellerating, but they cut me off, so for the first time, I used the pepper spray I keep in my back pocket. I heard a yelp, and hightailed it out of there.

I know that if I hadn't acted quickly, I could be in the hospital right now, but I love dogs and feel guilty about hurting one. Stupid owners!:notamused:

They would have felt absolutely no guilt when they grounded you and latched onto your jugular. Stupid ass owners.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/1b2h.jpg

Loved the setup... nice tape too... me wants.

I've used that stuff on dogs over a half dozen times, and it always worked for me.
When you've charged by any animal you needn't feel guilty for defending yourself.
Although that stuff hurts, it doesn't injure them at all.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/1b2h.jpg

That is just Fredtastic. :recum:

Being in front of a community college just adds bonus points. :thumb:

Yesterday, I was riding on a country road, and out of nowhere 3 gorgeous Stafordshire Bull Terriers (pitbulls) came out of a driveway. They were obviously healthy, well cared for dogs, but they were coming at me! and fast. I started accellerating, but they cut me off, so for the first time, I used the pepper spray I keep in my back pocket. I heard a yelp, and hightailed it out of there.

I know that if I hadn't acted quickly, I could be in the hospital right now, but I love dogs and feel guilty about hurting one. Stupid owners!:notamused:


Actually, somewhere down the line, you might have saved their lives. Chasing cars (or bicycles) for dogs will eventually end up in death. At least with the Leader of the pack, her discomfort is already gone but the lesson learned will hopefully mean she lives a very happy life.

Carry some dog-biscuits or bacon and drop it in their path. While they're busy with that, go to the front door, ring it and empty your pepper-spray on the owner's face!!!

Some dogs won't stop for pepper spray, if they have been trained to deal with it.

Most Staffordshires are not attack/defense dogs, but some are.