This is not a cut-and-tried situation like some here seem to think.

First, there are places where dogs can kill people. It’s called, “Everywhere.”

Second, in rural areas, there are a couple dynamics urban/suburban people don’t seem to understand.

One is the “pack.” In some areas, where dogs are pretty much allowed to roam, the can actually form packs, just like they used to , to hunt.

There are posters here who have or who have friends who have, been surrounded by aggressive dogs ... dogs who didn’t pay attention when sternly told to “Go home,” like some posters here recommend. (Worth trying, for sure ... but it isn’t magic.)

I am fairly sure everyone here saying “Don’t hurt the doggy” would be self-urinating if six or nine growling dogs with raised hackles were circled around him/her.

Also, there are places where there are no police ... or the police patrol basically in town because there are two cops, two stores, and everybody else is scattered over a hundred square miles of farm and field and forest.

In that situation, dial 911, but make lunch first. (Of course, anywhere you live, a good response time is ten-fifteen minutes. it is only on TV that cops drive up exactly when the script calls for it.)

Also, there are people (this is urban also) who deliberately make dogs mean and aggressive. Sucks, but it is real.

And by the way, a 25-pound dog can kill you. it can cripple you. it can tear an artery or slash tendons and nerves. It can knock you off your bike and if you land badly, you can break bones, or wake up three days later in the hospital without a clue.

Or, the dogs might eat your face.

I am an animal lover. I grew up with dogs. I do not harbor particular hatred or fear of Any animal (except some humans, which is well justified.)

But I also ride far and wide sometimes, and I have been chased by all kinds of dogs. I used to walk even farther and met a lot more rural dogs.

Some of the fast young riders just sprint away. Not always an option. Sometimes you are tired, or surprised, or on a steep hill.

Ever meet a 200-lb mastiff or a 150-lb St Bernard? 100-lb pit bull? Ever see a dog drag its owner while the owner did everything possible to hold it back?

I have never been in a situation I couldn’t handle without violence. I consider myself very lucky.

I would Certainly not hesitate to hurt of kill an animal that was doing its best to hurt or kill me. I would probably cry like a baby all night ... but I would be alive to feel bad about it.

Some people have posted about being afraid of being hit by cars or hitting babies. Try to imagine who you would feel if a dog latched onto your arm and there was No one around to rescue you?

It won’t happen. Stuff like that happens less than people win the lottery.

But ... people win the lottery.

If you have never been in that situation, don’t criticize others who have been .. at least not until you think really hard about it.

Sometimes there is no one to call for help, no one there to rescue you, no one to save your butt. It is you, and what you do .. and maybe your whole life is radically changed by your response.

I have learned the hard way that sometimes life throws really crappy situations at you. And Rarely do we handle them the way we imagine we would have.

I took that “beat you with his stick” remark as a joke and a pretty good one.

But know this ... if he was riding next to you, and the dog was latched onto your leg, You would be screaming, “Kill it! Kill it! Beat it to death with your stick!”

Know that, and then the joke is funny. Otherwise ... bad karma is bad. I try pretty hard not to make my life any harder. That’s advice.

We are some freaks and loonies here. We will come to learn your sense of humor and your modes of expression and we will all get along fine.

Have a great time cycling.