Not bike related but; my father told me that my grandfather was the 'go-to' guy to deal with ill-mannered dogs in Minneapolis back in the 20's. The neighbors would tell him where the dog lived and he would go for an evening stroll by there. He would walk with a white oak cane in his left hand and a blackthorn cane over his right shoulder. When the dog attacked he would occupy it with the one cane and then BANG! The blackthorn cane would practically lay the dog out cold. He was a blacksmith in the Swedish Cavalry before he immigrated to America and he never had to teach a dog twice not to attack children or adults, He never had much trouble with the owners either.