Apology Enough?
08-02-15, 08:38 PM
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Apology Enough?
Riding down a suburban street. Suddenly a standard size black dog charges from the front patio of a house. It ignores commands from the owner and soon catches me. I nearly crash pulling my leg up just as it's muzzle touches my jeans. Then it, for whatever reason, decides to go home.
Then, I hear a faint apology from the garage. I was shook so in no uncertain terms I told him what fate awaited if there was a repeat incident.
"But I apologized" No promise he would be responsible and control the pet as required by law.
Enough?
Then, I hear a faint apology from the garage. I was shook so in no uncertain terms I told him what fate awaited if there was a repeat incident.
"But I apologized" No promise he would be responsible and control the pet as required by law.
Enough?
08-02-15, 08:52 PM
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I wouldn't push the issue now.
If the dog comes out again, call animal control and report it. If he bites you, then the police get in the act and it gets real ugly real fast.
For the future, you should determine if your state permits pepper spray. NC does, I carry almost every time I ride both road and MTB. I carry to deter 4 legged problems and 2 legged problems, works for both.
If the dog comes out again, call animal control and report it. If he bites you, then the police get in the act and it gets real ugly real fast.
For the future, you should determine if your state permits pepper spray. NC does, I carry almost every time I ride both road and MTB. I carry to deter 4 legged problems and 2 legged problems, works for both.
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08-02-15, 08:53 PM
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If the dog had caused damage.... money to fix/repair any damage would be in order. But since no "real" harm was done... a handful or polite words should suffice.
You spewed a spiteful threat?!?!? Again.... a handful or polite words (from YOU) should have sufficed. But I get the impression you're still indebted in this exchange. But... I wouldn't lose any sleep over it!
You spewed a spiteful threat?!?!? Again.... a handful or polite words (from YOU) should have sufficed. But I get the impression you're still indebted in this exchange. But... I wouldn't lose any sleep over it!
08-02-15, 08:54 PM
#4
Always a good test of your escape velocity 
In that situation I usually will yell a sharp NO at the dog, which will stall him at least briefly.
If nothing else the law is probably on your side:
In that situation I usually will yell a sharp NO at the dog, which will stall him at least briefly. If nothing else the law is probably on your side:
- A dog owner lets his dog loose in his yard, and the dog runs at a bicyclist riding by. Trying to avoid the dog, the cyclist is thrown from his bicycle and suffers permanent hearing loss. Jury verdict: The dog's owner was negligent. (Laylon v. Shaver, 590 N.Y.S.2d 615 (App. Div. 1992).)
08-02-15, 09:10 PM
#5
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"I'm just a dog chasing a car. I wouldn't know what to do if I caught one." --The Joker.
I tend to believe it's about the chase. unless you are actually on someone's property, if you stop, the dog becomes disinterested.
But I don't actually know the stats of dog catches cyclist.
I tend to believe it's about the chase. unless you are actually on someone's property, if you stop, the dog becomes disinterested.
But I don't actually know the stats of dog catches cyclist.
08-02-15, 09:44 PM
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I would be asking what the dog owner is going to do to be sure that it does not happen again, and advising what will happen if it does. An apology is OK, but not enough.
08-03-15, 01:08 AM
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For a dog that got loose and just ran after you, the apology should be enough. Nothing will come from escalating it - a battle that you might win, but not one with any real gain for you.
If the dog acts vicious, or tries to attack you, that would be a different story.
If the dog acts vicious, or tries to attack you, that would be a different story.
08-03-15, 01:32 AM
#8
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For the circumstances portrayed, I think this post in another forum really strikes the chord:
It's one of the wisest things anyone has posted on BFs, and I am really trying to hold on to the thought.
Complaining about drivers and traffic is a waste of personal energy besides that there is little that one can do about it.
Classic situation:
Driver A cuts off driver B in traffic.
Driver B complains to co-workers about it.
Driver B posts on Bike Forums about it.
Driver B complains to spouse and so on...
Driver A forgot about situation 8-12 hours ago and now is controlling Driver B's mental state without even knowing it.
Forget about it.
Classic situation:
Driver A cuts off driver B in traffic.
Driver B complains to co-workers about it.
Driver B posts on Bike Forums about it.
Driver B complains to spouse and so on...
Driver A forgot about situation 8-12 hours ago and now is controlling Driver B's mental state without even knowing it.
Forget about it.
Last edited by Rowan; 08-03-15 at 04:21 AM.
08-03-15, 01:48 AM
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Yer lucky to get anything like an apology these days. Dog was probably being playful, though you wouldnt be sure of that.. . .nor would i.
08-03-15, 03:49 AM
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For the circumstances portrayed, I think this post in another forum really strikes the chord:
It's one of the wisest things anyone has posted on BFs, and I am really trying to hold on to the thought.
Complaining about drivers and traffic is a waste of personal energy besides that there is little that one can do about it...
08-03-15, 03:56 AM
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...here in Metro Boston I can't remember ever being chased by a dog (unlike experiences elsewhere)....
I used to have a pretty effective way of handling dogs. I would ride at submaximal speed, and as the dog got close I would scream to startle them, and then speed up. They invariably gave up since they were startled and hesitated, and were already going full tilt.
I used to have a pretty effective way of handling dogs. I would ride at submaximal speed, and as the dog got close I would scream to startle them, and then speed up. They invariably gave up since they were startled and hesitated, and were already going full tilt.
08-03-15, 04:12 AM
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Not long ago I snap kicked 2 smaller dogs that were an annoyance more than anything. They didnt come out anymore. Bicyclists are more of a game to a dog. The owner is now aware of this situation. From this point on I would avoid that route and attach a deterrent to the top of the bars for easy access.
08-03-15, 04:22 AM
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08-03-15, 07:17 AM
#15
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I was bitten yesterday by a large Weimaraner. Damn thing blew past me as I was doing 35km/h, turned and bit my leg after I slowed so as to not hit the dog. Drew blood. Police got involved just so it was officially reported. The owner was less controlled about the whole thing than I was. If my dog bit someone until bleeding, I would instantly realize that I myself have done something very wrong regarding training.
Next time I gas it, HARD! However, I like the idea of snapping a loud "NO" at the dog to shock it. I think that would have remedied the situation. I was taken by surprise. Plus, my clipless pedals don't help when wanting to kick!
Next time I gas it, HARD! However, I like the idea of snapping a loud "NO" at the dog to shock it. I think that would have remedied the situation. I was taken by surprise. Plus, my clipless pedals don't help when wanting to kick!
08-03-15, 07:49 AM
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08-03-15, 08:06 AM
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I've spent a good part of my life worrying and planning about what I was going to do in the future when a certain thing happened. It never ever, even once, happened exactly that way. Since you have no damages, accept the weak apology and let it go.
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08-03-15, 09:09 AM
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Last edited by Trsnrtr; 08-03-15 at 03:04 PM.
08-03-15, 09:24 AM
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I had a dog chase me into the street last year ... pissed me off so bad, I turned around and rode AT the dog, growling and yelling at him. You should have seen his face before he turned around and ran. Lol.
The owner appeared and was very apologetic. And since I ride by there daily, I knew was a responsible dog owner, so no worries.
But at the same time, apologies are empty words without repentance. If his dog is out there again and again, a little chat is called for.
The owner appeared and was very apologetic. And since I ride by there daily, I knew was a responsible dog owner, so no worries.
But at the same time, apologies are empty words without repentance. If his dog is out there again and again, a little chat is called for.
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08-03-15, 09:37 AM
#20
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Report it to the local Police.
When the dog does the same thing to a little girl, it will be strike two - and the owner will surely prove ignorant!
When the dog does the same thing to a little girl, it will be strike two - and the owner will surely prove ignorant!
08-03-15, 09:52 AM
#21
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I usually yell out at the owner as the dog is charging me "if it bites me it's going to get put down"...
08-03-15, 10:07 AM
#22
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OP it's over. Just put this on top of all the other ***** I bet you carry through life. Eventually the burden will get to you one way or another. The load will be dropped or you'll collapse under it. Trust me on this. Give it some thought.
08-03-15, 10:32 AM
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Originally Posted by tsnrtr
rComplaining about drivers and traffic is a waste of personal energy besides that there is little that one can do about it.
Classic situation:
Driver A cuts off driver B in traffic.
Driver B complains to co-workers about it.
Driver B posts on Bike Forums about it.
Driver B complains to spouse and so on...
Driver A forgot about situation 8-12 hours ago and now is controlling Driver B's mental state without even knowing it.
Forget about it.
Classic situation:
Driver A cuts off driver B in traffic.
Driver B complains to co-workers about it.
Driver B posts on Bike Forums about it.
Driver B complains to spouse and so on...
Driver A forgot about situation 8-12 hours ago and now is controlling Driver B's mental state without even knowing it.
Forget about it.
Another recent post presents (I presume) an ironic, yet unsympathetic POV:
08-03-15, 11:09 AM
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"Driver A forgot about situation 8-12 hours ago and now is controlling Driver B's mental state without even knowing it."
^ This is nonsense. Driver A probably didn't even know they cut driver B off, or promptly forgot about it 8-12 minutes later.
^ This is nonsense. Driver A probably didn't even know they cut driver B off, or promptly forgot about it 8-12 minutes later.
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08-03-15, 11:29 AM
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Become familiar with local laws and processes regarding dogs.
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