Fifty Plus (50+) - Dog Ruined My 30 Mile Ride and My New B17!!!!

While bicycling I have been bitten by 2 dogs over the years. (One was a German Shepard and the other a little freaking yapping Pomeranian.) Today I was almost munched on by a St. Bernard. I live in the desolate rural country in Indiana and I am well versed in dogology. This critter must have been lurking in the shadows of a barn and as I was just past the middle of his turf, he came busting out from the yard and was going for my right leg. A 10-15 mph head wind had me bogged down so I was unable to do any sprinting. I braked hard and he shot in front of me and I clipped his huge horse like butt. And down I went. I hopped back up and began yelling at the house for the owners to get their freaking dog. All that happened was a peek from the blinds. No attempt to reel in their massive poor excuse for a pet. After I yelled about 10 times, the dog began to back away while still barking and the owners never did anything but peek from the blinds. (Younger home owners from the looks of their tricked out vehicles.)

After walking my bike about 100 yards down the road I pedaled about a half mile away to asses the damage. With a road rash on my left leg and a big road scar on my less than 1 week old Brooks B17 Imperial saddle and a big scrape on my almost new Shimano PD-324's I began to get a little pi$$ed. I took off my helmet and noticed I hit my head on the pavement because my helmet had a road rash of its own. I also noticed that I had an area in my palm that was swelling. Since the owners never responded, I decided to call the Sheriff's Dept. to file a complaint.

The deputy took pictures and filed a report so I can provide the info to my insurance company and they can battle it out. He said he was going to talk to the owners and let them know what occurred and they were responsible for their dog's behavior.

I told him that I typically carry HALT pepper spray with me but today I had not because I left it in our SUV from yesterday's trip to ride. He said that people have the right to protect our life and property using any force necessary.

I love dogs & cats, but animals like this just may get an extra dose of force next time I ride by. This POS dog probably got his demeanor from his POS owners. Maybe they need a little extra force too!!!!

Well, maybe the Sheriff knocking on their door this morning may have an impact on their response next time someone yells for help and to get their dog back in their yard. If not, maybe the insurance company sending them a bill will. Or..... :( :innocent:

There, I fell better now. Any comments for how you handled a similar situation is appreciated! I am getting too old for this stuff... glad my wife wasn't riding with me today.

I guess I would have to say, be glad it wasn't a lot worse. I scouted a new route this am and noticed dogs and a nice pitbull. It's a country ride and I am kinda thinking about it. It is a very popular route for bikes though. Halt sounds like a good idea. Glad to hear you are ok. No concussion? Watch for signs of it. And run the damn dog over! Or the owners??? Kidding of course.

You live in America, right? Shoot the ****er.

You live in America, right? Shoot the ****er.

where I RIDE in rural KY I see sign's that say "F*** the dog, worry about me". When I have trouble with dogs CONSISTENTLY, I do drive by's with a 12 gauge. Only have done this 2X. as usually I work it out with the owner of the dog. Dog owners really get PO'ed as they treat their dogs more important than children.

I had a similar but less injurious experience a few weeks ago. Was at REI earlier today and checked into buying their "bear" spray. It is supposed to be really effective and the salesman mentioned they have had a real run on it lately. Decided not to get it as the canister is larger tahn I want to carry on my bike. I did order a pepper spray with holster from Amazon.

Thanks,
Roger

First, glad you okay, and double glad you was sporting a helmet. As another poster already mentioned, this could have been a lot worse.
Good move in calling the police.. The owners of the dog should have rushed out the house to see if you okay, and offer to take care of your damages. But, since they seemed to want to be azzholes, I would sue them to the hilt.

Again, glad you okay...

Glad it wasn't worse, but sounds like it was bad enough.

Dogs are a real issue here in rural western Kentucky.

Be sure to follow up with the sheriff as sometimes they need prompting to follow up. I would also make a list of your expenses, and send it to the dog's owners.

Be sure to replace your helmet. If it hit the pavement, it's trash.

This is a terrible ride report and makes me mad just reading it. There are few things that make me angrier than bad pet owners. Animals well they are animals. Their owners on the other hand should know better and train their pets.

I hope you heal up quickly. This is hits home as I had a snauhzer chasing me on this mornings ride. Luckily, I out ran him into the wind, but it was close. That little dude was fast and I have no doubt he'd have chomped me given the chance. Great suggestions on the halt and bear spray. Sorry about he B17 damage.

I guess I would have to say, be glad it wasn't a lot worse. I scouted a new route this am and noticed dogs and a nice pitbull. It's a country ride and I am kinda thinking about it. It is a very popular route for bikes though. Halt sounds like a good idea. Glad to hear you are ok. No concussion? Watch for signs of it. And run the damn dog over! Or the owners??? Kidding of course.

Pitbulls generally are the most non-human aggressive a dog breed as one can get. They were bred for that (Not be human-aggressive, but dog-dog, and dog-animal aggressive)

The dog was just being a dog. It's what they do. If you abuse the dog because of what happened you are in the wrong. Before you say it I've had my upper lip and nose reconstructed (300+ stitches) from a dog attack. It was the dog being a dog and I hold no grudge. You've done what should be done now let the Law do it's thing. Revenge on an animal is cowardly.

I too was ambushed by a dog. I now have a plate in my shoulder. Never leave the driveway without Halt. Ever.
Rural America? The dog I hit was owned by the mayor's son and the sheriff refused to file a report. The state's attorney gave me the run around.
I learned that my safety is my responsibility.

Panty-waiste liberals...
Probably against capital punishment too.

Just kidding.
You should have given the dog your B17 to chew.
That would make you his friend.

I got ambushed a couple of days ago by a terrier that came out of nowhere. I was not ready so the dog got closer than I prefer. But I got to my Halt! and since he was close (within 5 feet). he got a good face full of the spray. No more problem, he made a U turn and the last I saw him he was rubbing his face in the dirt. I don't think he will chase the next rider that comes along. I highly recommend carrying Halt! at all times.

I have pretty much quit riding on the roads because of dogs and crazy drivers. I am amazed at how some people seem to ride for thousands of miles each year and don't have to fight dogs all the time. Most of the dogs just want to bark or chase a little but I had one that tore a hole in my sock. This dog that tore my sock came after me another day and I fired a shot and the dog stopped immediately. Makes me wonder if we had some starter pistols if that would stop dogs. I had one owner complain when I pepper sprayed his dog and another owner laugh at his dog that I pepper sprayed. The pepper spray does not seem to hurt a dog and if it really wants to get you I have my doubts that the spray will stop it. The dogs just seem to smell the pepper and then stand there and continue barking at me.

The dog was just being a dog. It's what they do. If you abuse the dog because of what happened you are in the wrong. Before you say it I've had my upper lip and nose reconstructed (300+ stitches) from a dog attack. It was the dog being a dog and I hold no grudge. You've done what should be done now let the Law do it's thing. Revenge on an animal is cowardly.

I never heard such rubbish in my life. Taking the steps necessary to protect yourself from injury is nothing to do with revenge, and there is no law that says dogs have to be allowed to chase bikes. They can, and should, be trained not to do it.

I recently toured in Canada and New England. I was astonished at how many dogs were loose and chased bikes. It happens here, but it is much less frequent, and somehow I doubt that British dogs are genetically more civilised than American ones. It is, of course, their owners fault but if a dog is out of control and threatening someone's safety, then it needs stopping and, in extremis, shooting.

I never heard such rubbish in my life. Taking the steps necessary to protect yourself from injury is nothing to do with revenge, and there is no law that says dogs have to be allowed to chase bikes. They can, and should, be trained not to do it.

I recently toured in Canada and New England. I was astonished at how many dogs were loose and chased bikes. It happens here, but it is much less frequent, and somehow I doubt that British dogs are genetically more civilised than American ones. It is, of course, their owners fault but if a dog is out of control and threatening someone's safety, then it needs stopping and, in extremis, shooting.

There are no bad dogs, there are however a lot of bad dog owners. I work for the post office, I got bitten on Thursday while attempting to deliver a package. I don't blame the dog, I do however blame the owner. Most places have laws that require that dogs be under their owners control, and that means either the owner is with the dog, or the dog is tied up. Unfortunately the fines for having a loose dog, and the penalties if your dog is caught, are far too low in many places. The owner should be, by law, held legally responsible for the cost of any damage done by their dog. If your dog causes an accident where there is $5,000 in medical expenses, your probably going to learn your lesson pretty quick.

There are no bad dogs

Of course there are. Just like humans, whether through nature or nurture, dogs can be mentally impaired in various ways and prone to violent and/or pathological behavior. I will agree that more often than not the owner is the root of the problem, but there are bad dogs, too.

The important piece of this is filing a police report, filing with insurance, etc, etc. if you are bitten. Not so you can make a buck, but to make it stop happening. I believe it is safe to say you are NOT the first person this critter bit, or threatened to. And equally safe to say that the owners KNOW their dog is being a problem. Two weeks ago a friend was attacked by a Great Dane, taken down and the dog would not let go until the rider was on the ground. Owners sent a 7-yr-old outside to get the dog and bring it inside. I would have been sorely tempted to have my ride partner call an ambulance - bitten, crashed, hurt - and made a big deal of it. But the fella called the police, and rode on. The did file a report, but because the issue was not made at the time nothing is being done....

First, I'm glad it wasn't worse~! Second, calling the Sheriff was a great thing to do. Shame on the owner for not controlling their dog.

I am a dog owner, and yes, my dogs are my kids~! And, Yes, I have been bit in the face by a GSD with I was a kid - can't shave my upper lip due to scarring...

If a dog is attacking, you do what you gotta do to protect yourself, PERIOD~! Example - my dogs are not outside their fenced dog-area unless I and/or my wife are outside with them. And none of the three would chase a kid, car, or bike - as they were taught not to do so. my 74lb GSD has very strong drives, but still learned what is expected of her by me.

I carry both HALT! and a big stick (my cane), and will use whichever is needed at the time.

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g475/Peter_CC/Dog%20Photos/Nylawithkong2011-02-13.jpg

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g475/Peter_CC/Dog%20Photos/Nyla_14_months.jpg

The dog was just being a dog. It's what they do. If you abuse the dog because of what happened you are in the wrong. Before you say it I've had my upper lip and nose reconstructed (300+ stitches) from a dog attack. It was the dog being a dog and I hold no grudge. You've done what should be done now let the Law do it's thing. Revenge on an animal is cowardly.

Well, in my humble old opinion, when they reconstructed your nose, and upper lip, they forgot something, YOUR BRAIN!! :rolleyes:

To stop an attack on one's person, is not REVENGE, it is survival!!

I like bear spray...

There, I fell better now. Any comments for how you handled a similar situation is appreciated! I am getting too old for this stuff... glad my wife wasn't riding with me today.

Ouch!

Some years ago an experienced cyclist convinced me the big problem with dogs is not bites but those collisions. His solution was coming to a quick and complete stop without delay whenever a dog threat presents itself. Over the years I've followed that advice with excellent results. Though one advantage of this practice is increased ability to actively, and if need be aggressively, defend ourselves, I've never had to even kick a dog. The early and abrupt stop seems to magically transform us from prey or toy into human.

but animals like this just may get an extra dose of force next time I ride by.

For those that didn't quite comprehend the original post this is what I was referring to. To return with the intent of harming the dog is revenge plain and simple. You don't have to like me or what I say. I could care less.

And for cowardGS you may stuff your humble opinion where the sun makes no appearance. If you lack the ability I will assist.

To return with the intent of harming the dog is revenge plain and simple.

I agree. And talk about looking for trouble...

.40 cal. sounds about the right size............................. for the owners. Those are the type I'd sue. Not just for not having their dog under control but for doing nothing when you were in danger. Can't stand people like that. Sue the crap out of them, THEN use the .40 :)

When I saw this thread's subject, I immediately thought of this:

http://www.science.uva.nl/~robbert/zappa/files/jpg/Weasels_Ripped_My_Flesh.jpg

The story gets a little more interesting as I got the police report today. The deputy went to the house and interviewed the owner. She said that they saw me and my bike in the road and "We thought he had stopped to pet our dog." Yeah, right...... Here I was in a heap yelling about as loud as I could... "GET YOUR DOG!!!!!" I must have yelled that 10 times. The only response I got was a couple of peeks from the venetian blinds. They didn't care if I was hurt. I should have just laid there and called 911. Hind sight is always 20-20.

They also stated that their precious St. Bernard would "never chase a bike" or be aggressive. Yeah, right..... If only I had a helmet cam on when the big SB came running at me.

I called my Allstate insurance agent first thing this morning filling him in on the details. He advised me to send the dog owners a certified letter clearly stating the cost of damages and give them 10 days to pay or the insurance company would handle it. He said that if the insurance company got involved they would also add on some money for pain & suffering. Strange, but after I got the police report, I discovered we both have the same insurance company and the same agent.:p

Total damages for Shimano pedals, Brooks saddle, Giro helmet and bar ends with shipping & tax is $507. I am betting this will prove to be a hassle to recoup the loss, but I will get it. :innocent:

As far as the SB, I am also buying a helmet cam so I can catch video of the next dog that chases me to show the law enforcement and the Stupid Dog Owners that their dogs do in fact chase bicyclists and make them crash! Since this dog is on one of my limited choices for routes, chances are I will get the SB in action. Only this time I will have my trusty HALT with me. (And for those who are saying why are you riding past that place again... I live in the country.... there's not too many routes around some dogs. Plus, I ain't scared of no dawgs....) :notamused:

I will post more as the saga continues......:fight:

Helmet cams have proved usefull in Cycle claims over here. Several highlighted Road Rage events recorded and the Police have gained convictions over the drivers. I have been thinking of one just to record parts of rides as ordinary cameras are not good enough for Video.

The other point I picked up- You pay the insurance company to deal with any claims/ accidents you have and yet they have asked you to make the initial claim against the dog owners. Make them do the job you are paying them for.

For those that didn't quite comprehend the original post this is what I was referring to. To return with the intent of harming the dog is revenge plain and simple. You don't have to like me or what I say. I could care less.

And for cowardGS you may stuff your humble opinion where the sun makes no appearance. If you lack the ability I will assist.

I think all your assistance would be better spent on your nose and lip!! http://www.cehoward.net/badteeth%5b1%5d.gif

Total damages for Shimano pedals, Brooks saddle, Giro helmet and bar ends with shipping & tax is $507. I am betting this will prove to be a hassle to recoup the loss, but I will get it. :innocent:

As far as the SB, I am also buying a helmet cam so I can catch video of the next dog that chases me to show the law enforcement and the Stupid Dog Owners that their dogs do in fact chase bicyclists and make them crash! Since this dog is on one of my limited choices for routes, chances are I will get the SB in action. Only this time I will have my trusty HALT with me. (And for those who are saying why are you riding past that place again... I live in the country.... there's not too many routes around some dogs. Plus, I ain't scared of no dawgs....) :notamused:

I will post more as the saga continues......:fight:

You forgot installation - have a bicycle shop provide a full estimate including labor.

My only bike accident was 32 years ago while I was in college. A lady turned left in front of me and then stopped. I almost made it by her but the left rear triangle caughter her bumper and that in turned dumped me as the bike was pulled out from under me.

Seems that no one in the insurance business had heard of sew-ups back then and it was an expensive set of wheels to replace. Not to mention the frame. They choked when the bike shop provided an estimate of $800. Keep in mind this was in 1980 dollars and today, that would be about $2200.

The story gets a little more interesting as I got the police report today. The deputy went to the house and interviewed the owner. She said that they saw me and my bike in the road and "We thought he had stopped to pet our dog." Yeah, right...... Here I was in a heap yelling about as loud as I could... "GET YOUR DOG!!!!!" I must have yelled that 10 times. The only response I got was a couple of peeks from the venetian blinds. They didn't care if I was hurt. I should have just laid there and called 911. Hind sight is always 20-20.

They also stated that their precious St. Bernard would "never chase a bike" or be aggressive. Yeah, right..... If only I had a helmet cam on when the big SB came running at me.

I called my Allstate insurance agent first thing this morning filling him in on the details. He advised me to send the dog owners a certified letter clearly stating the cost of damages and give them 10 days to pay or the insurance company would handle it. He said that if the insurance company got involved they would also add on some money for pain & suffering. Strange, but after I got the police report, I discovered we both have the same insurance company and the same agent.:p

Total damages for Shimano pedals, Brooks saddle, Giro helmet and bar ends with shipping & tax is $507. I am betting this will prove to be a hassle to recoup the loss, but I will get it. :innocent:

As far as the SB, I am also buying a helmet cam so I can catch video of the next dog that chases me to show the law enforcement and the Stupid Dog Owners that their dogs do in fact chase bicyclists and make them crash! Since this dog is on one of my limited choices for routes, chances are I will get the SB in action. Only this time I will have my trusty HALT with me. (And for those who are saying why are you riding past that place again... I live in the country.... there's not too many routes around some dogs. Plus, I ain't scared of no dawgs....) :notamused:

I will post more as the saga continues......:fight:

As you can see, they are lying through their teeth. However, in my opinion, I think it is a good thing that you both have the same insurance company and agent. I am quite sure, the insurance company will fully pay your claim quickly and expect to recover fully from the dog owners.

I have been lucky, my only encounters with dogs have been on my motorcycle, and each time I saw them coming and had time to have a well placed-kick-in-the-teeth ready for them. ;)

Total damages for Shimano pedals, Brooks saddle, Giro helmet and bar ends with shipping & tax is $507.

Sounds like you are shopping online. Go to an LBS and get a full estimate for everything at full list price and (as said above) installed. They will scrutinize your lower bill more than the higher one done by a bike shop.


Plus, I ain't scared of no dawgs....) :notamused:


After their miserable performance last Saturday night, who could blame you? :(

Am I the only one who when I saw SB in the update thought it meant Son of a B**** not Saint Bernard? And +1 on getting the LBS's estimate for the repairs.

You hit the dog from the rear and feel like you were the one assaulted? I don't know a lot about Saint Bernards but I have never heard of a dog with teeth on that end. :lol::lol:

Actually if he did not bite you after you hit him with your bicycle he probably had no intention of biting you before the crash. I've known some mean dogs in my life and any one of them would have drawn a bit of blood before you hit ground once the bike started falling, and certainly by the time you were on the ground. I agree that the dog owner should have checked on you, but have my doubts that the dog had any intention of harming you. I believe he was probably chasing the bike for sport, you just happened to be along for the ride. There are dogs out there that might want to bite you, when they attack they generally draw blood, it's the playful ones that end up getting hurt by uninformed "victims".

torn up sponge with gravy in a ziplock bag, in your jersey.

When they chase just throw it out.

Yesterday on a training ride a dog ran out on the side of us. I was the last one in the pace line and I tried to go left of the dog. Before I could pass the dog he change his direction and started coming towards me. I thought "I am going down, I am going to hit the dog" but at the last second the dog just stopped and I was able to pass the animal.

It was a close call to close for my comfort.

Been there and done that. Broken femur, two pittbulls. I am not going to put up with it any more. The dogs may be doing what dogs do but I am going to do what a technology wielding human will do and put a 40 caliber hole right through them. I have the CCL, I am packing heat and I will use it if Mace or similar does not deter the dangerous animals. You can call it revenge, I don't care, I was the one laying in the road, still under attack by the dogs with a femur bone sticking out of my leg. They deliberately ambushed me and took me down.

Next time, I stop, I place the bike between me and them, I yell stop, sit. I hit them with Mace if there is time. If they are still coming, I shoot the b----ds and feel no remorse. Just doing what a human does.

This excessive touchy feely crap is BS, sorry. If you don't like it, to bad.

LC

Touchy feely? You most certainly don't know me. But I do prefer dogs company over humans. I know for certain what they're up to. Good luck on the shooting thing. Bolster the coffers of the lawyers. Even when you're right it's costs.

this subject seems to always get a rise out of everyone. Please keep the obscenities and threats of violence in check or we will close the thread.

Been there and done that. Broken femur, two pittbulls. I am not going to put up with it any more. The dogs may be doing what dogs do but I am going to do what a technology wielding human will do and put a 40 caliber hole right through them. I have the CCL, I am packing heat and I will use it if Mace or similar does not deter the dangerous animals. You can call it revenge, I don't care, I was the one laying in the road, still under attack by the dogs with a femur bone sticking out of my leg. They deliberately ambushed me and took me down.

Next time, I stop, I place the bike between me and them, I yell stop, sit. I hit them with Mace if there is time. If they are still coming, I shoot the b----ds and feel no remorse. Just doing what a human does.

This excessive touchy feely crap is BS, sorry. If you don't like it, to bad.

LC

Okay, we get that your leg was broken after a pair of pit bulls attacked you on your bicycle. But as the broken femur was likely the result of contact with earth rather than dog, it would be more informative if you could reveal what other injuries the dogs actually inflicted as they continued their attack after you were on the ground. For how long did they continue the attack? What ended the attack and what was done with the dogs afterward? A pit bull has powerful jaws and they are very difficult to remove from a fight, once you were down the two must have done some very serious damage, you are lucky to be alive.

Since you state that you have a CCL, then you must have been through the required training in order to obtain the permit in the first place. So you should be well aware that the CCL authorizes you to carry a handgun in a discrete manner, it does not authorize you to display/fire the gun in a public place. The only difference in charges against you for discharging a firearm on a public road and someone without a CCL doing the same is that they would also likely be charged with carrying without a permit, in both cases discharging a firearm on or across a public road would be the most serious charge. A class B misdemeanor resulting in the automatic and immediate suspension of your CCL and most likely confiscation of your firearm. If convicted of the class B misdemeanor, in Texas, you would be eligible to reapply for a CHL in 5 years.

I don't know what state you are in (probably not Texas as you have a CCL rather than CHL) but in Texas:

Concealed means that the weapon cannot be visible, and that its presence cannot be discernible through ordinary observation. It is a criminal offense for a license holder to carry a handgun in plain view, or to intentionally fail to conceal the weapon.

It is unlawful to display a firearm in a public place in a manner calculated to alarm.


It is unlawful to discharge a firearm in a public place or on or across a public road.


There are many other laws concerning the discharge of firearms these are the ones you would most likely be in violation of once you decide to defend yourself form those pit bulls or motorists (include assault with a deadly weapon here). The fact is once you discharge your weapon in a public place, chances are you have seen the last of that CHL.

Am I the only one who reads the original post as someone who ran into a dog that may have not been attacking?

I wonder what the insurance company will make of it, but it doesn't sound like the dog had ant aggressive intentions.

It would have scared the crap out of me, but as you tell the story, it sounds a lot more like a playful dog than an aggressor.

I am not saying I would have reacted any differently, and I don't know if anyone could tell the difference from the seat of a bike, but I wonder how the insurance company will see this.

If wonder if the fact that there is no attempt to bite will make any difference to them.

if a dog is loose and you run into it, it hurts just the same and is just as much the owner's fault as if it was attacking. Worst cycling accident I have ever seen played out that way, owners need to keep their dogs under control

Am I the only one who reads the original post as someone who ran into a dog that may have not been attacking?

I wonder what the insurance company will make of it, but it doesn't sound like the dog had ant aggressive intentions.

It would have scared the crap out of me, but as you tell the story, it sounds a lot more like a playful dog than an aggressor.

I am not saying I would have reacted any differently, and I don't know if anyone could tell the difference from the seat of a bike, but I wonder how the insurance company will see this.

If wonder if the fact that there is no attempt to bite will make any difference to them.
" if a dog is loose and you run into it, it hurts just the same and is just as much the owner's fault as if it was attacking. Worst cycling accident I have ever seen played out that way, owners need to keep their dogs under control "In my case the insurance company had to buck up. It don't matter if the dog is attacking or not. A loose mutt is a hazard.

" if a dog is loose and you run into it, it hurts just the same and is just as much the owner's fault as if it was attacking. Worst cycling accident I have ever seen played out that way, owners need to keep their dogs under control "In my case the insurance company had to buck up. It don't matter if the dog is attacking or not. A loose mutt is a hazard.

So, you have no responsibility to avoid a hazard? Does the same go for small children, light poles, pot holes, rocks, limbs, automobiles and large trucks? It's not that I doubt the accuracy of your statement, only that I find it amusing that apparently bicyclists can do no wrong, and everybody else is out to get them.:lol::lol:

Rickochet, maybe take a disposable bike and saddle w/ you on your next foray with the new helmet cam, just in case history repeats itself...

Also, if it's not too much to ask, could you also post up a review of your helmet cam in 50+? Thanks, and good luck with your adventures.

Rickochet, maybe take a disposable bike and saddle w/ you on your next foray with the new helmet cam, just in case history repeats itself...

Also, if it's not too much to ask, could you also post up a review of your helmet cam in 50+? Thanks, and good luck with your adventures.

I haven't been able to do much riding within the past week. My dear ol' Mom passed away Saturday and this week is going to be a busy one.

However, our Allstate insurance company said that if the dog owners do not respond to my letter, my insurance company will take care of it and seek restitution because dog owners are responsible for their dog's actions. Doesn't matter if the dog runs out in front of a car and the car runs over the dog (even if the driver does NOT swerve) and the car incurs damage, the dog owner is responsible, albeit insurance or CASH!!!

I believe that if more cyclists took a stand to fight for our safety and the right to ride freely, dog owners would receive a clear message that we are not going to accept their OR their dog's unacceptable behaviors.

As far as the helmet cam review, I will be back in the saddle toward the end of the week. I might take my old seat AND seat post along for the ride....:p

I'm sorry to read of the passing of your mom; take some time off the bike, take care of what needs to be done, and then go on some nice long rides with just you and your thoughts (but keep an eye out for that SB...). Condolences to you and yours.

So, you have no responsibility to avoid a hazard? Does the same go for small children, light poles, pot holes, rocks, limbs, automobiles and large trucks? It's not that I doubt the accuracy of your statement, only that I find it amusing that apparently bicyclists can do no wrong, and everybody else is out to get them.:lol::lol:
I know it's crazy, but my assumption was that the OP tried to avoid the dog and couldn't. As I said, I've seen a pretty horrific accident where the dog really wasn't attacking and the rider that went down couldn't avoid the dog. In that case, I'm nearly positive the dog was trying to herd us. Once they stopped us, they lost interest. It doesn't matter when you are lying on the ground with broken bones.

...I told him that I typically carry HALT pepper spray with me but today I had not because I left it in our SUV from yesterday's trip to ride. 1) He said that people have the right to protect our life and property using any force necessary.

I love dogs & cats...Any comments for how you handled a similar situation is appreciated! I am getting too old for this stuff... glad my wife wasn't riding with me today.

1)Purchased a Crosman C11 online for 40.00 w/no shipping. 420 ft per sec. CO2 pistol w/an 18 bb clip. 15 oz. loaded. 1000 count bottle of bbs, 3 boxes of 5 ea. CO2 cartridges and a holster from Wally World. Have trained half-a-dozen dogs w/it in my rural area of Mid-TN. The Sheriff's Dept here quoted me the same thing almost word for word. It's like a chaintool or tire levers...I wont go to the end of my driveway w/o it anymore. And I don't wait to find out if the dog is just being playful or has aggressive intent. Once they hit the pavement they're mine. A playful dog can knock a cyclist off a bike just as easily as an aggressive one.

2)My cat and 3 dogs are well loved as well. Safely behind an invisible fence on an acre of ground.

Btw, I used to carry Halt as well...worthless. It ends up getting the sprayer as much as the intended sprayee! The CO2 pistol has never failed to stop a dog in it's tracks. Whether I hit it or not the 'report' is very loud and an unseen object striking the ground nearby confuses them even further. One owner objected and I offered to call the sheriff's dept. myself and have them explain the fine structure for 'unrestrained animals'...the conversation was over rather quickly.

Many years ago when I was a student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison I was attacked and bitten by a German Shepard while riding on a rural road outside of town. The owner didn't give a damn until I went to a nearby neighbor and called the sheriff. The owner refused to tie the animal up for 10 days until the sheriff informed her that if she didn't he would shoot the dog and take its head for rabies analysis by the state hygiene lab. It caused me to look up the state laws on the owner's rights and responsibilities. In Wisconsin, once the animal leaves the owner's property and enters on to the public road, all bets are off. You are free to do whatever you want to protect yourself. The laws were actually written to protect rural livestock from being chased or killed by stray dogs. I had the local bike club's lawyer write her a letter informing her that now that the dog was listed as a dangerous animal, she would be responsible for triple damages under state statutes. This was a popular bike route for local riders and neither I nor any other members of my bike club ever had a problem with that dog again. I never even saw it again so I presume she got rid of it rather than face the liability.