jfan

This sounds like a good option...and makes you look better for attempting a less than deadly option first. I'm a strong 2a proponent, but using a firearm should always be a last resort to protect yourself from death/serious bodily injury. I believe you are totally in the right to protect yourself, but law enforcement and the lawyers would have fun with this and make your life hell after the fact, as you don't HAVE to ride your bike past those dogs, you knew they were there and that you knew there would be a confrontation.....therefore it was an avoidable situation and shooting was not your last resort. The case could be made that you actually rode into the situation intending to shoot the dogs. Should this story make the media and they put their own spin on the story, are you ready for the barrage of hate from the animal lovers? The bottom line is to always consider all possible outcomes before using a firearm.

deeth82

Pepper spray/bear spray as you're passing by. They'll remember you, even if it takes doing it twice, and they'll leave you alone...negative reinforcement. I love animals and wouldn't condone killing them just for being themselves, but obviously the rube owner isn't doing his part...or the rube owners are letting all their dogs roam in packs. So just have your pepper spray/bear spray ready when you're coming up on that location. Firing a gun can result in all sorts of unexpected outcomes. (CWP holder here)

bunkiefd4

1) I am a animal lover, I don't believe in animal cruelty but its gotten to far.
2) I may try that dog whistle.
3) I forgot to mention, the guys wife was actually outside the other evening and witnessed me running from the whole pack of dogs.
4) Yes running from them sounds like a good idea but its not because, on my way to work I can kinda out run them, the house sits on a small hill so I have the advantage going to work. But going home I have to climb the hill and I'm sitting meat for them. I have to pick up my brand new 2013 Specialized Roubaix and swing the bike back and forth at them while I walk backwards to walk away. This is really starting to be a pain. Very frustrating.
5) Ive tried sprays, it doesn't work. I can't spray all the dogs at the same time safely. There's to many of them. They get on both sides of me and I have to watch my ankles and kick. Plus, I'm not spending anymore money out of pocket because of this. I even put acid in a Lowes spray bottle, but again, I can't spray all the dogs efficiently enough to make a difference.


My buddy from the SO called me back last night, after I started this thread, and said for me to get the guys address and they will send a deputy out there to put the fear of God in him. If that doesn't work, he said for me to do what I have to do to defend myself.


Im gonna let my buddy send a road deputy out there and try to resolve this ONE MORE TIME. If that doesn't work I will take actions into my own hands.


Yes I can safely shoot them if I have to. They chase me about 100 yards, in that area there is no houses and I can clearly see if there are any vehicles coming down the road. The only way it would work out is, I would have to do this the trip to work, that way the hill can be to my advantage so I can kinda get in front of them in the open area and do what I have to do.


I know some of you are thinking, my God, this guy is crazy. But people, this problem has gotten to bad. Y'all have no idea how bad this is and how hard it is to defend yourself against 7 mutts chomping at your ankles.


Once more, I will try to do the rite thing one more time.


Oh by the way, our parish does not have any type of animal control. Just in the city. And this is taking place outside the city limits.

Vlaam4ever

This is exactly what I was thinking. I'm all for protecting yourself but knowing these dogs are going to get in your way and you are finnaly enraged enough that you "have" to shoot them is not good. Especially since you wrote about it on the internet. Yes cops can see this post and tie it back to you.

ttakata73

Wild dogs are such a pain over here in Buddhist (don't hurt living beings) Thailand, and yet I see so much fried chicken and pork everywhere.
Several of my friends have been bitten by street dogs and kids get mauled/deformed by them all the time.

Feeding dogs poison doesn't work well.
I have a nice pet cat here and 4 wild street dogs kept trying to kill her.
I tried to intimidate them with a stick, they kept coming.
When my cat vanished for 3 days and came home with scabs and no claws from trying to climb up walls, I tried to poison the dogs in various ways, but it does not work at all.
I saw them eat toxic meatballs on 3 occasions.
Once made with rat poison, another with crushed lightbulbs and xylitol, and another with bacon soaked sponges.
I saw the rat poison on the street the next day.
They actually processed the glass and poison and lived.
It wasn't until a month later when one of the dogs bit a human hotel guest that 2 of the dogs vanished after the dog police came.
The 2 remaining dogs don't bother my cat anymore so we're cool, but I have a BB gun in case.
A BB gun won't kill but I am sure they would remember the sting.

Bear spray as noted is a bad idea, it depends on wind conditions and you have a good chance just macing yourself.
Can you GoPro/film yourself get chased by these dogs as evidence to motivate animal control and back yourself up in a legal case?

Yeah, I can just see self defense turn against you since no one really needs to ride a bicycle or go anywhere.
Post #22 seems the logical way, but carry your gun anyway.
Perhaps there are dog removal hitmen you could hire at the local bar or Home Depot?

Sadly my cat incident made me research how to kill dogs but the mentioned snacks didn't work for me.
Search for "airgun sniper" on the tube and you will find them very quiet and accurate.
Fill a hollowpoint pellet with poison, then seal it with super glue and aluminum foil.
I would think when the pellet expands in the dog the poison will enter the bloodstream but you will be a safe distance away.

This thread is a good reminder for me to carry a large stick on my grocery bike.

spivonious

Vigilante justice never works out well. Leave it to the police. If they can't do anything, get the state police involved.

Have you actually been bitten or are they just chasing you? Is there an alternate route you could take? I'm just thinking that since this is a regular, predictable occurrence that your self defense claim wouldn't hold up in court.

4SEVEN3

Its called classical conditioning. Mace them...each and every time they try to get to you. The dogs will associate you with the mace pain and no go near you. Its the oppisite effect of tossing a treat...they will associate you with treats and still come out and get in your way.

tombc

have any of you guys found shooting stuff to be a good solution to a problem before in your lives?

KonAaron Snake 

This seems like a problem without a good answer. I have no moral issue with you shooting the dogs, I just wonder if it's worth the potential risk (potential violence, potential litigation). My gut reaction is that I'd try and find an animal rights advocate, or shelter, and see if they'd bring the animals in from what sounds like a dangerous situation for them. I'm not sure what your LEOs are like...you sound like you're in a small town and they might be more helpful. I'd try and give them the problem - you should be able to pass by safely and I think someone needs to take responsibility to resolve the situation.

Without making threats I'd also mention to the owner that he has liability for the dogs and that if something happens, you will be coming to him for damages. There might also be laws restricting the number of animals on a property and how they're enclosed - there might be license and inspection agencies you can try and involve.

I think it's the kind of situation where no one will act appropriately until the damage is done. Like another poster said, you also might be underestimating the difficulty in using a pistol here. Are you going to shoot while riding? I don't think that would work so well...but if you stop, I think the dog(s) are going to be on you by the time you've acquired a shot. I think you're at a disadvantage here and I'm not sure a pistol will really help. Some dogs are smart - they even use tactics in groups. I'd be very careful.

dailycommute

I assume with parish, yall and bunkie you are in LA, yes? Having grown up there I highly advise not shooting the dogs unless you want your own nasty surprise one day while riding by and/or somebody shooting back at you (or burning your house down later).

Dogs are of course pack animals so you need to kick the alpha's ass, either with spray, your foot or a club. The pack will not forget you are alpha after that and the chances of you getting shot are much lower in this situation. Personally I would first toss some dog snack to the ground as you roll by for few days, as most any dog can be bought off with food or exercise.

polishmadman

I know you said it is a rural area, but isn't there animal control in the area? A pack of dogs intent on attacking people are a danger to the public. The state police are useally you next option. Now,if they won't do anything, then I say protect yourself.

Some of us on here have said. He posted it now the cops will know. OP has said the local PD has already told him to protect himself. They know his next step. Though I think a mace spray made for animals would be a good next step. Don't use a pepper or mace made for people. Not as affective or long enough spray. But do what you have to do to protect yourself.

And for all those people who don't agree with his actions, you've never seen a pack of dogs attack AS a pack. Dog in a pack whip each other into a frenzy. A lot like people. But dogs can't be reasoned with. They are dangerous.

bunkiefd4

Update.....

The police chief called me today. They guy went by the police station and told the chief that he witnessed the dogs after me and didn't realize it was that bad. He went to Academy and bought some type of spray for animals. He asked the chief to call me and tell me that he had bought it and for me to go pick it up and try that.

Now, since he did spend the money on this I will give it a try. But if it does not help in the long run I will do what I have to do.

Yes, I can fire a side arm while riding, I've delt with weapons all my life and shooting my .40 caliber Glock will be second nature to me. Where this will be done will be a safe location where no one is around.

Cops reading this forum and following up on me? I hope they are. They've already told me to protect myself. And I will.

Yes I'm from Bunkie Louisiana, that's in Avoyelles Parish.

I don't think some of you understand how bad this problem is.

But I will give his spray a chance and try once more to avoid using deadly force. I DON'T WANT TO USE DEADLY FORCE. I'm trying to avoid it. But if the spray does not work and he doesn't fix the problem I will fire.

No, there is no alternate route for me to take. It's one road that's a straight shot into the city limits that I have to travel on. I could go around on a different Hwy but its to dangerous and it would add 3 hours to my commute and that's not happening. I'm not traveling on a dangerous hwy that has no shoulder because of a dog problem. People in Louisiana drive like there slap ********. And I just don't have the time to commute 6 hours two ways to and from the firehouse. Screw those dogs.

bunkiefd4

Sorry I couldn't quote y'all's responses, I'm typing from my iPhone. It's the only Internet source I have at home. At the firehouse I use a laptop and some times my iPad. I started this thread while at work on my iPad so it was easy to read and type.

DX-MAN

Dude, you're more patient and tolerant than I am; the 3RD time they did this would have been the last! That's such complete BULL****! One time, okay, things happen. SECOND time, oh-KAY, I'm through being bait. 3rd time, BANG BANG.

bunkiefd4

Yea, I'm trying to do this the rite way. But my patience has run thin. Very thin. I will not get bit by dogs that prolly have never had shots and Lord only knows what kinda bacteria in there mouth.

frpax

Sounds like the owner of the dogs is at least willing to help put an end to it. I'd take that as a good sign.

If the spray he bought you doesn't work, then perhaps HE will do a better job of restraining them. Hopefully.

So far, though, I can't fault you for the way you've handled this so far.

I wonder if non-lethal rubber bullets would discourage the dogs and not permanently harm them... You know the old saying, "there are no bad dogs, just bad owners". Etc., etc.

bunkiefd4

Yea it's sad the dogs have to pay for this. There just doing what they think has to be done. Tomorrow will be the big morning to see how it goes. Depending on the weather, I don't have rain gear and were going through a cool front moving through. But If I don't ride in the morning I promise you that they'll have there chance at me again.

treebound 

A firehouse was mentioned, I'm picturing a hook and ladder firetruck with the water cannon mounted and ready to shoot water following the cyclist, and if/when the dogs give chase I am visualizing a high pressure water bath with multiple chasing dogs being blown all wet and soggy back into their yard.

And since it was mentioned that someone on the property said the dogs were not her's, I'm also envisioning a court order at some point to capture the nuisance animals and relocate the nuisance animals elsewhere. This may or may not involve a cost depending upon the state of mind of the local district attorney.

Beyond that I'll go back to watching for an update to the situation.

bunkiefd4

All of our fire trucks have water cannons. Id love to hammer them with it but that's just not possible lol. That would be one bath they'd never forget.

bunkiefd4

Stopped by the police station today to pick up the so called animal repellent he bought for me. Opened the bag and it was some simple pepper spray for humans. It's real tiny, package says you can get around 5 sprays out of it. Boy this ought to be interesting.

Cfiber

It's beginning to look more like operation "Black Ops" time....

jon c. 

Good luck.

bunkiefd4

yep, already putting my mission together incase the spray doesn't work.

bunkiefd4

I just don't understand why the guy can't get rid of the dogs. I don't care how he has to go about doing that but just do it. Because if they are stray dogs, man help a guy out and get rid of them are if they are his dogs do something about the problem so this don't get out of hand. Because he really don't want one of those dogs to bight me, that's gonna be bad for him and the dog.

johnnyboy1

Video, too?