Touring - Today's dog encounter

This afternoon my wife and I were out riding our tandem. As we were going down a country road a dog jumps off the front porch of a house snarling, barking and heading toward us. My latest defense has been to yell at the do which I started to do. Then the dog's owner who is standing off to the side starts yelling"Don't yell at my dog!" The dog slowed and we sped up. A few minutes later a car comes up along side. It is the owner say"What's your problem?" I stated " The only way for us to protect ourselves from dogs iss to yell at them". He goes on to say no one ever yelsl at his dog and his dog would never go after someone. Even though it just happened. He then want to stop his car and fight. At this point we are just pedaling and not say a word. He then calls us a few choice words and gives us the finger and speeds off.
So what is a guy to do in a situation like this?

Call the cops, explain that he scared the crap out of you. Ask if the cop can file charges against the owner for assault, or the dog for endangerment (he could have knocked you over and you both would have been hurt). Let the cop do the talking, take Halt the next time you go by there. And maybe some pepper spray for the owner.

You owe yourself and future cyclists a proper response. Report the dog to the sheriff's dept. If the dog left the owners property it is in violation at lease in Wisconsin.

This is an area that I am not to sure I could find my way back to. So I would not be able to locate the house.

Stupidity and meanness are a dangerous combination. As A fellow NE Ohioan, I've stopped riding in rural areas because of encounters like that. I'm burned out. Believe me, I could write a book.

Seriously, call the local police - they need to know. Once you file your report with the owners name/address, they're 'in the system' forever.

Additionally, i'd buy some UDAP *Bear* Pepper Spray. I have the 7.9oz size w/carry holster and it comes with me everywhere when i'm riding. In fact, i nearly had to use it last week. A large Rottweiller shot off it's front porch as i rode by (on a main road in the city). I instantly grabbed my UDAP and was getting ready to give it a blast, but it stopped as i had already passed the house. I've never seen that dog there before (i ride past there regularly), but you never know.....

I have zero tolerance for poorly behaved canines (or owners for that matter - i believe UDAP will work on humans as well). As a former police officer, i have no problem articulating my need and level of self-defense if the need arises to whomever 'asks' nor should anyone else.

I have, at times, dismounted to confront the cur on foot. They usually slink away. Somehow they know you are vulnerable when on the bike. The term "man's best friend" has never made sense to me.

This is an area that I am not to sure I could find my way back to. So I would not be able to locate the house.

Were you using your Garmin on the ride? If so the map from that is all you need to retrace your route (in the safety of your car) and get the property address to report them. I would definitely do that.

IMO if the dog was on it's owners property you made a mistake. Yelling a someone's dog on their property is inappropriate. Next time steer clear, if the dog advances on public space then you have the full right to protect yourself. While on the property, the dog is acting in a natural way to protect his territory from a perceived threat, YOU.

IMO if the dog was on it's owners property you made a mistake. Yelling a someone's dog on their property is inappropriate. Next time steer clear, if the dog advances on public space then you have the full right to protect yourself. While on the property, the dog is acting in a natural way to protect his territory from a perceived threat, YOU.
Yeah, because every dog knows exactly where owner's property ends and public space begins.

(I am assuming that the property had no fence that could keep the dog inside).

IMO if the dog was on it's owners property you made a mistake. Yelling a someone's dog on their property is inappropriate. Next time steer clear, if the dog advances on public space then you have the full right to protect yourself. While on the property, the dog is acting in a natural way to protect his territory from a perceived threat, YOU.

If a dog is running at you like he is going to attack you why do you have to wait until the dog is in the Right of Way, usually only about 7 feet from you, until you isssue a comand for the dog to stop? That does not make sense to me. It is the dog owner that is at fault for letting a dog be off leash that is going to chase people.

IMO if the dog was on it's owners property you made a mistake. Yelling a someone's dog on their property is inappropriate. Next time steer clear, if the dog advances on public space then you have the full right to protect yourself. While on the property, the dog is acting in a natural way to protect his territory from a perceived threat, YOU.

Really? The guy was offended because someone yelled at his dog. You say that the bike rider's yelling was inappropriate? I think the dog's owner was the one that was innappropriate.

On a local ride last month, one of the riders got nipped by a dog. He knocked on the owner's door, who got pretty angry, including "No, I don't have any first aid stuff." and "You need to call before you ride down this road!" OK, sure.

IMO if the dog was on it's owners property you made a mistake. Yelling a someone's dog on their property is inappropriate. Next time steer clear, if the dog advances on public space then you have the full right to protect yourself. While on the property, the dog is acting in a natural way to protect his territory from a perceived threat, YOU.
In one of my many conversations with Dog Wardens, I recall one warden claiming the dog owner must display a "visible means of restraint". YMMV.

You did exactly the right thing under the circumstances. Just about any other response, considering the psychotic state of the owner, could have made for a very bad day, involving police, doctors, and lawyers. Over a dog. There is a time to take a stand. This wasn't it.

If you could have identified the owner and location, it would have been a good idea to file a complaint for the record.

I once had a dog run out on a highway after me and end up getting hit and killed by a semi-truck. The same could have happened to this dog if there was traffic.

Dog owners should be very sure their dog won't run out into street. There's something about bicyclists that dogs can't resist. I've known dogs to stop at their property boundary, but I've seen more dogs that run out into the street. I am always impressed with dogs who have been trained well.

I've never had a dog stop when yelled at. Sometimes stopping and getting off the bike is enough. I'm not willing to find out when the consequence could end poorly for me. There's got to be a better way. For what it's worth I try to talk nicely to the dog so it will realize I'm human, but get the heck out of there. Once the dog is out in the street, I start yelling for the owner to get their dog. I wouldn't be above using bear spray if a dog came after me in the street. I've never had to though.

I don't know what I would do about the agressive-looking dog, but I think I would lose it when the guy drove up to confront me.

IMO if the dog was on it's owners property you made a mistake. Yelling a someone's dog on their property is inappropriate. Next time steer clear, if the dog advances on public space then you have the full right to protect yourself. While on the property, the dog is acting in a natural way to protect his territory from a perceived threat, YOU.

Ridiculous.

I carry a small squirt bottle with me mixed with amonia and water. If only had to use it a couple of times, and lucky enough not to have to mess with the owners.

Ridiculous.

Agreed, the dog and owner are the ones that are at fault.

I carry a small squirt bottle with me mixed with amonia and water. If only had to use it a couple of times, and lucky enough not to have to mess with the owners.

This likes a great alternative to Pepper Spray-type defense solutions (which may involve the local police unnecessarily).

I usually carry UDAP pepper spray in a hand sized bottle, with a strap for the handlebar or for the back of my hand. Mostly for aggressive animals and large predators in some isolated areas I ride through... though I had to hold the canister up to a German Shepherd who was off his leash and was running full tilt toward me. But the owner called him back and he was obedient. The owner was apologetic. I just waved and told her it was cool, no hard feelings, just was being cautious (due to previous bad experiences). I love dogs, but... some dogs don't love me, is all. That's the way it goes...

Since the incident yesterday I thought I would check online to see what Ohio law has to say about it.
955.28 Dog may be killed for certain acts; owner liable for damages.
(A) Subject to divisions (A)(2) and (3) of section 955.261 of the Revised Code, a dog that is chasing or approaching in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, that attempts to bite or otherwise endanger, or that kills or injures a person or a dog that chases, threatens, harasses, injures, or kills livestock, poultry, other domestic animal, or other animal, that is the property of another person, except a cat or another dog, can be killed at the time of that chasing, threatening, harassment, approaching, attempt, killing, or injury. If, in attempting to kill such a dog, a person wounds it, the person is not liable to prosecution under the penal laws that punish cruelty to animals. Nothing in this section precludes a law enforcement officer from killing a dog that attacks a police dog as defined in section 2921.321 of the Revised Code.
Maybe I should have this printed on a card and give it to the owner!!

Recently I have bungee corded an air horn to the stem so it is easy to reach. Twice on country rides I have had dogs come out chasing me, barking, and a blast or two from the air horn has been enough to surprise or startle the dog enough to stop them (both from the chase and even from barking). Much less invasive than the pepper spray (which I have for a last resort) and has the added benefit of being effective to ward off wildlife in the road as well as alert a driver backing out in front of me.

Anyone else tried the air horn?

I like to see how fast they can run!

Ohio law

Ok, I guess you guys are legally right. But still you better stay off MY LAWN ;)

I like to see how fast they can run!
Me too, but I kind of worry that I am encouraging behavior that will get them killed. So I try to head off the chase where possible. On my last tour I experimented with addressing the dogs as I would my own dog. I think I reduced the number of chasers by a large margin for dogs close enough and on quiet roads. Some roads and some dogs it didn't work at all.

BTW: I find it best to try to just take dogs in stride and not sweat the encounters too much. It probably helps that I am old enough to have started riding at a time when most dogs were outside and allowed to roam freely. In those days I would encounter multiple dogs on any ride.

Many years ago I rode a route with a known problem dog. One day the dog got caught in the wheels and a rider broke his collarbone. Six weeks later the healing rider stopped opposite the dog's property, waited for vehicle traffic, and started calling the dog.

I don't know what I would do about the agressive-looking dog, but I think I would lose it when the guy drove up to confront me.

I would not lose it.... but as soon as the owner drove away I would have got right on the cell phone and called the police. NOT because the dog came at me, it is just an animal and knows no better. I would have called about the owner "coming at me"..

The dog is the easy part - a good look in the eye and a jolt from the taser. The owner, that's a problem for the police. If you are in the street and the dog attacks, it's fair game out here in the country.

Ridiculous.

+1

That does not make sense to me.

It doesn't make sense because it's ridiculous.

Utility meter readers and mail carriers, who probably are exposed to nasty dogs more than anyone else, commonly carry an animal deterrent spray (pepper spray for dogs) which is very effective. If the animal is threatening attack on public right of way, it is fair game for a shot in the face. Owner be damned.

These animals are often excited by a biker in motion and mean no harm. However, sometimes they'll bite. I once had a big dog throw his weight against my back wheel and almost topple me. The spray is my friend.

My training partner was chased by two big dogs who leapt off a porch, she tried to outrun them but quickly backed up to a building wall and put her bike between her and the dogs, called the husband on the cell and he came loaded for bear. All she could do to keep him from killing them on the spot. She ID'd the house and now,the owner and dogs are in the system. I've a broken Silca pump from bashing a Shepard on the nose. Not mention several dogs taking a dirt nap that were chasin my horses.

Dogs off leash on MUPs are an incredible hazard as are owners who ride bikes and keep dogs on leash alongside them. Fools.

Reporting the owner my save a life.

IMO if the dog was on it's owners property you made a mistake. Yelling a someone's dog on their property is inappropriate. Next time steer clear, if the dog advances on public space then you have the full right to protect yourself. While on the property, the dog is acting in a natural way to protect his territory from a perceived threat, YOU.

If you wait till the dog runs onto public property...even if youre on the other side of the road...it may be too late to get any words out before contact is made. Have you seen a dog run after someone? They dont normally meander.

And the human was "acting in a natural way to protect his territory (body) from a perceived threat.

I like to see how fast they can run! -1

I kind of worry that I am encouraging behavior that will get them killed. So I try to head off the chase where possible. +1

Encouraging a dog to chase bikes just to see if you can outrun them might have looked cool in the movie American Fliers, but in reality it exacerbates the problem. Remember you aren't the only rider on the road and the dog doesn't know the difference. You might think it's fun to outrun the dog but the 10-year old on the mountain bike who comes by 20 minutes later might not be so lucky. It's a judgement call when dealing with dogs, but most are chasing because they have an instinct to chase anything that runs or they are just plain bored and poorly trained. Assure your own safety, then notify the owner of the problem. If you need to get law enforcement involved, do so.

Judging from the reaction of the owner in the OPs story, the dog is the brains of that outfit.

"paddle faster, I hear banjos" = "pedal faster, I hear barking"

both work equally well

there's a nasty pit bull on one of my routes, outrunning him is the only option I have. This dog is like a canine ninja though, no barking. I didn't know he was on me till i heard the clicking of his toenails on the pavement behind me. Now, i know to watch out for him, but it sure was scary. I hear barking, and my instinct is to always floor it......

American Fliers[/I], but in reality it exacerbates the problem. .

Sigh. You are right, and I repent, but those dachshounds look so cute running after me. And they are one dog that even I can outrun.

I adjust my speed to stay just ahead of the dog. Then I let him chase me for miles and miles. Occasional encouragement helps. Ultimately, they are too far from home to find their way back. bk

IMO if the dog was on it's owners property you made a mistake. Yelling a someone's dog on their property is inappropriate. Next time steer clear, if the dog advances on public space then you have the full right to protect yourself. While on the property, the dog is acting in a natural way to protect his territory from a perceived threat, YOU.

In most cases the part of the road a cyclist rides and property line are INCHES apart... You're going to wait until a fastly approaching dog is inches away before reacting? Enjoy the stiches, or worse.

I carry Cold Steal Inferno pepper spray. For any and all potential violent altercations.

IMO if the dog was on it's owners property you made a mistake. Yelling a someone's dog on their property is inappropriate. Next time steer clear, if the dog advances on public space then you have the full right to protect yourself. While on the property, the dog is acting in a natural way to protect his territory from a perceived threat, YOU.

Please don't let him own a dog....

Pepper spray FTW!


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

Bloody sissy Americans. The whole world is hungry and you're complaining about food running TO you. Have you never eaten dog? Ummmm-ummm. where's my fork....