concerning leashes; all this is relative from to the leash laws in your area. I used to live in La and my house was one mile outside of city limits so there was no leash requirement. I ran over 3 dogs when I was a younger and there were probably 50 times when the damn dog was just sitting in front of my truck barking at me so that i had to drive 2 miles per hour

The absence of a leash law does not negate liability on the dog's owner for anything else that happens.

Correct.

Dog owner in this case is a complete moron. Dog has no business on an MUP off-leash. That's ridiculous.

yeah that's another ball game, I was just spitting diatribe about the leash laws since he mentioned it. certainly in the US a dog owner is liable for his pet's actions, at least I think so.

+1 Unless it's a trained attack dog, it's that old canine instinct to chase what flees. I stop, dismount, yell a few commanding "NO" and the offending pooch trots off. Probably because I am an uncoordinated goof, attempts at kicking whilst moving have put me in more danger than has the dog. Glad all are OK. Cool videos you make.

You were right, it wasn't the dogs fault. Too bad you couldn't have planted a kick to the owner. I have a couple of owners around me that are the same way. Unfortunately the dogs wind up taking the heat for their stupidity. I usually try water before physical contact. My girlfriend and I also carry cans of spray with us when we are out. It is a citronella based spray that our dog trainer clued us in on. Of course trying to get it out of a pocket and direct the spray is a little far fetched, but it's better than not having it.

No MUPs around here just blacktop and gravel

First, I'm glad that you & Gina are okay!

As a dog owner, trainer, and lover I really irritates the pi$$ out of me when owners do not behave responsibly and endanger the safety of others -- and tarnish the reputation of all dog owners.
Of course, I feel the same way about a few cyclists who tarnish the reputation of all cyclists by running stop signs, littering, and riding two- or three- abreast in traffic. But that's another thread....

Did you call the police and report the incident?
The dog's owners are responsible for the dog's behavior. The dog's owners, from your tail, are also guilty of "assault" and if that is on video could be charged.
If you did not call the police to report it...it did not happen.

You should leave Kalifornia and move to a free state which allows honest folks to protect themselves with firearms.

I gotta put my vote in for calling the cops.

Imagine if that dog had gotten hold of that kid....

...

Good job Beanz. You probably taught him and his dog a good lesson.

I've had four dogs charge me.

Dog #1 I outran.

Dog #2 pulled a great intercept angle, then rolled over on his back in the middle of the road in front of me. Almost ran him over.

Dog #3 meant business. Also got a frame pump whack between the eyes.

Dog #4 meant business. Got a water bottle squirt, which slowed him enough for me to outrun. Barely. Dogs are eff-ing fast. If the water on the face hadn't caused him to slow up, I couldn't have outraced him, I don't think.

Considering how well my dog catches balls and frisbees, I'm always a little nervous about using my foot as my weapon of choice. I figured if he caught my frame pump in his mouth while I was trying to deter him...well, it's my pump, and not my foot.

A buddy of mine was charged by some little tiny yappy dog out of someone's front door. He just ran the dog over, which then ran yelping back to its owner.

This seems counter-intuitive. The dog wants a piece of me, so I should stop and give him a chance to dig in, remaining in the area he is trying to protect? My solution has always been to mash as hard as I can away from the dog's home. This has always been successful (so far). I don't always outrun them, either. But, they seem happy to declare victory and stop the chase, when they've gotten you away from their home. They think they've won by chasing you off their turf, and establishing dominance.

This thread really has me thinking about the pepper spray solution, though. I've been chased maybe 7 or 8 times, and perhaps only been lucky. I don't want to hurt the dog, either (although, I'd like to teach the owners a lesson).

Beanz, you showed some wise restraint there; I don't know if I could have let that guy go unharmed. It's too bad you couldn't at least get him cited. He might have (however unlikely) learned a lesson.

I love dogs but i also don't enjoy pain, doctor visits and such. I would have kicked it also.. I'm on that trail alot also hope you got rid of it for me.

The only problem with everyone's suggestion about calling the police is where Beanz lives. Police in SoCal have enough other issues that I doubt they will put any effort into dealing with this owner. Especially if the owner suddenly "No English" on you! If Beanz HAD physically touched the owner, HE would have been arrested. Regardless of right/wrong. Like when a burglar gets hurt in a house, sues the owner, and WINS! Go figure!

Bear spray is a wonderful thing. But be careful - it is illegal in many areas. An example: All of the areas AROUND Yellowstone national park have it illegal to carry Bear Stop. Yet that is exactly what is recommended and sold inside the park. You do NOT want to get a backblast of bear spray.

Consider buying HALT! It was developed for the Post Office. Works like Mace or Pepper Spray. But the real beauty is it paints the animal ORANGE! Hard to say "Wasn't my dog" when it is now a different color.

Though I am an animal lover and rarely ever have issues with any animal, there ARE times when a shot round is appropriate. Followed by a slug. Also works well on owners. What does UCI say about carrying a concealed weapon?

Remember, even a large dog has to look up at you. That's intimidating. And by facing the dog, you're not triggering his pursuit instinct. You also get to put your bike between you and the dog. If you're mashing trying to get away, any dog that's really dangerous IS going to be faster than you are and then he'll get his pick of where he gets to sink his teeth in when he does catch you.

If you stop and can keep your bike between you and the dog, worst thing is he gets a bite of tire. Best thing is he gets intimidated/bored/confused and leaves.

Well, if the dog owner DID call 911, the cops already know who he is and any "no habla" schtick will fail immediately.

Probably should report the incident to animal control, also, after filing a police report. THEY probably will follow up, because that's what they do.

That's all cool but the dog came head on straight at my tire to my leg, not from the side whe I would have a chance to figure a plan of stopping, turning the bike, and yeleling sweet nothings at the dog.

I'm just hoping the owner did learn something, not all chase victims are nice guys. I know there are lots of dog lovers but being a wife lover is more important than a dog lover. I'm sure any wife or hubby on the trail will thank me next time when this dude shows up with his dog on a leash having saved them from a broken collarbone, leg gash, fractured skull, shots, medical hassles etc..

BTW, the dude was white, not a "no speaky engles" dude. If anything, a NewYork accent!

I would have sprayed the dog with Halt, and then the owner.

Afterwards, the call to 911, would have been from me.

I've been charged a couple of times. Dismounting and spraying it with my water bottle worked both times. The water bottle didn't make them run away, but it kept it at safe distance.

And on the kick -- no worries there, you are allowed to defend yourself. The dog's owner was clearly at fault.

There aren't too many stupid dogs. There are TONS of stupid dog OWNERS.

Dog defense strategies are numerous. I don't carry spray, or a frame pump, or any other weapon than myself and my bike. On the theory that most dogs charge for the purpose of simply chasing you off and the dog will try to approach and nip at your legs from slightly behind you , I judge the dogs speed, angle of attack, and my ability to accelerate. If I have the ability to accelerate rapidly and the dog is going to catch me, I actually slow down, let the dog adjust its intercept speed and angle to my slower speed, wait till the dog is close enough to be committed to that angle, then accelerate and leave it yapping behind me.

But if I can not manage an acceleration or the dog is approaching from the front, I dismount and face the animal with the bike between us, no eye contact. Most of the time the confrontation ends there, facing each other, and we part ways soon thereafter. If the animal attempts to circle around the bike menacingly, I attack, using the bike as a weapon, making noise, with lots of eye contact. I will win this confrontation, and the animal will know it.


If there is more than one dog, it is time to call on your deepest reserves and just get the hell out of there. Even domestic dogs know how to pack hunt, and you don't want to be encircled.

Compton, Watts, and Inglewood do not make up all of So Cal