I live in a small town. More accurately, just outside the city limits of that small town. When I leave the houses I have two choices. Turn left, and roll around on hilly, windy rural roads with little traffic. Turn right, head into town, and deal with traffic that has never seen a bicycle before and isn't quite sure what you're supposed to do with one.

Since leash laws are city ordinances, when there's no city, there are no ordinances. So the dogs run free. Most of the time they aren't an issue. Not to be crude, and I hate even saying it because I'm a big dog lover and it breaks my heart; but 'natural selection' has a way of dogs who tend to run out into the street not surviving very long.

I've honestly found just ignoring them, and varying speeds, is the best bet. Dogs "intercept", so if one comes for you, try to adjust your speed a bit.

My worst situation was a BIG dog that came barreling towards me. I swerved out into the lane (after checking behind me) but couldn't go any further without heading into oncoming traffic. Dog kept coming, I yelled loudly and stood up in the saddle to try and intimidate the dog. Then I saw a 400lb man, in his underwear (and nothing else), drinking a beer, who shouted homophobic slurs (I am a straight man who was riding bikes with my wife but, I guess to him, if it's not half-naked beer swilling, it's gay), called me a "ret***" and finally ended with "He'll bite you if you don't get off the road!". The dog then turned back towards me (it had run back towards him when he started howling) and then turned towards my wife. He got a face full of her cleat, yelped, and ran back. At this point, papa bear got angry and started waddling out towards the road and we pedaled away without incident. I DID call the Sheriff, simply to report that he was intoxicated (nothing they can do about the dog) and that he had tried to approach us. On our way back through there about 10 minutes later, he was speaking to two deputies, in handcuffs, sitting on the side of the road; using those same foamed-at-the-mouth homophobic slurs on them. I'm not too proud to admit I smiled and waved at hime as I rode by.

I've not been by that house or taken that route since. Like you, I don't want to have to bend to the will of every idiot who puts their dog's life and my life in danger by being lazy and complacent. But it's the right of weight. You can stand on principle in a hospital, or just go another route. For me, another route is definitely an option.

Sort of like one of my favorite motorcycling quotes. "There are old bikers, and there are bold bikers. But there are no old bold bikers."