55/Rad

Did you all see the footage of the dog that got plowed into this morning - and the ensuing crash? This is the second time - what are these owners thinking?

divineAndbright

The first time it happened this year in the alps was rather amusing to see since it was rather slow collision, but that time it was a rather disturbing sight, glad everyone was alright by the looks of it. Some people just don't have any brains I guess.. didn't Eddy Merckx hit a dog in the tour once?

dlew308

link?

Sprocket_Jockey

They're not, that's the problem.

Today's crash looked pretty ugly.

SDRider

Another one? Geez...

I tivo'd today's stage so I'll watch it tonight.

kenny!

The fans seem to be a nuisance. I understand they're part of the race, but some just go too far. Are they even held accountable when they do stupid stuff?

Sprocket_Jockey

Looks like hitting a dog is good luck.

unbelievably

Anyone got a video link?

clausen

That accident did look ugly. I've almost hit a few animals domestic and wild and it's pretty scary. Pet owners really need to secure them for everyones safety. I had a dog chase me down on a highway yesterday. I saw it in time to sprint to get ahead of it as it came from the side and the car coming up behind me saw it in time and stopped when it got on the road.

velomedieval

Do these people incur any sort of fine for not keeping their dogs confined?

It's going to be an ugly mess the day someone's toddler wanders onto the course.

Patriot

Was it within the city? I didn't see it.

It really does suck to be in that situation, but something like that can and will happen given the circumstances.

In defense of dog owners. I live out of town, where it's perfectly acceptable to allow your dog outside without a leash. Especially when no leash law is in effect for that area, since there has never been a need for one. Many small towns and communities also do not have leash laws, and I doubt they would change the law to accomedate a bike race.

These races readily go through areas which are far out in the rural areas to get to the next town/city, and it would seem logical that there will be some road hazards comprised of free roaming animals, cow pies, tree branches/limbs, and the like.

The dog that roamed into the street, may not have even been the dog of someone at the race, but a local who lives in the area who simply let their dog outside to do their business, and wandered into the race without realizing it.

Not much unlike driving along and hitting a deer.

The deer lives there... you don't.

Suck it up, and get used to the fact that racing like this will have certain statistical hazards which cannot be accounted for. If you crash into a free roaming animal, that's your problem.

You don't like it? Don't race.



On the other hand, if an owner specifically went to the race with their dog, and let them off the leash to purposely get in the way, then that is negligence. They should be fined for purposely trying to harm the riders. Somehow, I have a tendency to think that may not be the case.

80vette

The dog was on dope.

clausen

Just because it's the practise doesn't make it acceptable. I'm sure you would feel pretty bad if your dog was hit and injured a cyclist. Also regardless of the laws I'm sure the cyclist lawyer would have a field day with you.

dlew308

links??? pix/video???

Patriot

Sorry, but if you live there, and there is no leash law, the lawyer has no case. None what so ever.

You've got people who run over cyclists everyday and walk out of the courtroom without so much as a fine. What makes you think they will give a hoot about the spandex nation hitting your dog?

If anything, the racers would get fined for running over his dog.


Sorry to be the kill-joy, but I really think it's a non-issue. Well, off to work. Takin' the steelie today. I'll try not to run over any dogs on the way.

Grasschopper

Well actually this was the 3rd dog run in of the TdF in 07...Vino and a team mate were taken down on the stage he lost 28 min on...he only lost a few second there but it didn't get the exposure of the other 2 because it didn't really affect the race.

CardiacKid

That is not the way it works around here. People who run into cyclists are punished pretty severely. If you have reason to believe your dog chases bicycles, you have a duty to do something about it, whether or not there is a leash law. The laws are obviously different in Washington.

55/Rad

I hear you Patriot and understand what you are saying. But in this case, it appeared to be completely avoidable. The dog suddenly wandered out from the throngs of people along the roadside. I understand leash laws and the lack thereof - plus the fact that they are in a completely different culture there - but it had already happened twice before during this tour.

I felt bad for both the riders and the dog - though it appeared they all were OK.

kenny!

I grew up in an area where it was acceptable to let dogs out without leashes. I also lived along a bike race course. Every year before the race we got a letter from the local government telling us not to let our dogs run free on the day of the race. I don't recall there ever being any punitive action being threatened for those who didn't though. I doubt the letter for this years race is still around at my parent's house since it was back in June so I can't check...and by next year I doubt I'll remember this thread.

Patriot

I don't mean to come across with an I don't care attitude, because I do care. However, like I said, even when things appear avoidable, we as cyclists have to accept a certain statistic that "***** happens". I'm also glad to hear none of the riders were seriously hurt.

foomonkey

and what is with the naked people running down the road? sheesh!

Kestrelman

Don't tell Judge Judy that. Watch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p12x52UzJsc

AchiLLe..s

Thoose frekin owners need to keep track of their mutts. It's really getting out of hand. Sandy went down very hard. I bet he was so pissed off.

55/Rad

Unexpected ***** happens in all the biggest sporting events. The Super Bowl, World Series, Masters, Wimbledon, Stanley Cup, March Madness, Firestone T of C - you name it.

Avoidable ***** rarely happens in the single biggest premier event of any of these sports. These riders aren't "us" - they are "them" and are the very best at what they do. They deserve better. And whether or not it ever gets better doesn't matter - they still deserve it.

AchiLLe..s

I agree, It is as if the sport has no rules or boundaries. I mean yes it is basically impossible to police what is going on the side of the road, but that doesn't mean the spectators can't use common sense and reasonable judement for the sake of the riders.