One thing to keep in mind is that your helmet can make a pretty good beating implement.
Back when I was living in Washington (about 2 years ago), I was actually attacked by a retriever (I was stopped trying to fix a flat in front of the owner's house) and wound up (literally) beating it to death with my helmet. I wasn't injured, but the lawsuits that followed sure weren't fun... but I was fortunate enough that I didn't wind up having to pay anything.
Unfortunately, I don't think it would go nearly so well now that I'm living in Japan...but then I have yet to see any dogs that weren't tied up out in the countryside.
Originally Posted by
birdmove
Guns are NOT an option in Hawaii. I would stop and confront the dog (this usually works anyway), and if it still came at me snarling out comes the bat.
When I was living in Honolulu I had a wooden dowel with one part hollowed out and filled with lead for this reason. I was asked about it by a cop once, he seemed to think it was a pretty good idea.