Attacked by a dog. Could I have done anything differently?
10-04-13, 07:14 AM
#26
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It's a bit of a general question that has too many factors (i.e. the dog).
Anecdotally I've had many, many dogs come rushing out and then peel off, sort of like the moves jet fighters make when bluffing an enemy. This is in suburban and urban areas. I am guessing that these dogs are a bit more controlled, scolded when they play rough, etc, so they aren't quite as "wild".
However, one time, in a pretty rural area (no official townships nearby, state police has one officer for 100 miles of highway plus the counties next to those 100 miles - 911 said that it might take 3-4 hours for the officer to show up, pending other incidents), two dogs ran up to me and bit me, each of them. The dogs were border collies and were allowed to herd cows and such (not that the farm needed their help, but the dogs have the instinct apparently). They thought I was a slow cow I guess. They came running at me, barked just a bit but nothing like growling, and then bit me, one bite from each dog. However the owners' homeowner's insurance company told them they had to put the dogs down else they'll lose their insurance, and that's what they did. The wife, who was the one that actually likes the dogs, had gotten bitten by both dogs previously so it wasn't the first time they bit someone.
The black dog has already bitten me. The two tone dog is about to bite me. I'm going about 6-8 mph on a steep hill so similar to the OP's situation.
Anecdotally I've had many, many dogs come rushing out and then peel off, sort of like the moves jet fighters make when bluffing an enemy. This is in suburban and urban areas. I am guessing that these dogs are a bit more controlled, scolded when they play rough, etc, so they aren't quite as "wild".
However, one time, in a pretty rural area (no official townships nearby, state police has one officer for 100 miles of highway plus the counties next to those 100 miles - 911 said that it might take 3-4 hours for the officer to show up, pending other incidents), two dogs ran up to me and bit me, each of them. The dogs were border collies and were allowed to herd cows and such (not that the farm needed their help, but the dogs have the instinct apparently). They thought I was a slow cow I guess. They came running at me, barked just a bit but nothing like growling, and then bit me, one bite from each dog. However the owners' homeowner's insurance company told them they had to put the dogs down else they'll lose their insurance, and that's what they did. The wife, who was the one that actually likes the dogs, had gotten bitten by both dogs previously so it wasn't the first time they bit someone.
The black dog has already bitten me. The two tone dog is about to bite me. I'm going about 6-8 mph on a steep hill so similar to the OP's situation.
10-04-13, 07:54 AM
#27
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Sorry to hear this. Unfortunately some dogs get territorial independent of what breed they are. I have seen tiny little dogs bite to protect what they perceive to be their territory and of course, the media covers the attacks by breeds such as pit bulls on a large scale. I am glad you are OK (mostly). To another poster, if a border collie bit you once and let go, it was trying to herd you. This is very typical of the herding breeds. Usually, they nip and don't draw blood. I wish the owners were a bit more attentive. After losing our 15 month old Chesapeake Bay Retriever to cancer (see my sig), we got an Australian Shepherd puppie. He does tend to herd and nip and we are slowly trying to train him out of it. I am going to start carrying the pepper spray for dogs after reading this thread.
10-04-13, 08:01 AM
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I've been lucky to not run into this on a bike. On horseback you just turn and charge into them.
10-04-13, 08:03 AM
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But I agree with getting off the bike and walking. I don't turn my back on a dog. There are fear biters who are waiting for just that moment. (I have one of those, too, who attacks from behind.)
10-04-13, 08:06 AM
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Sorry to hear this. Unfortunately some dogs get territorial independent of what breed they are. I have seen tiny little dogs bite to protect what they perceive to be their territory and of course, the media covers the attacks by breeds such as pit bulls on a large scale. I am glad you are OK (mostly). To another poster, if a border collie bit you once and let go, it was trying to herd you. This is very typical of the herding breeds. Usually, they nip and don't draw blood. I wish the owners were a bit more attentive. After losing our 15 month old Chesapeake Bay Retriever to cancer (see my sig), we got an Australian Shepherd puppie. He does tend to herd and nip and we are slowly trying to train him out of it. I am going to start carrying the pepper spray for dogs after reading this thread.
Make them go to toy when you go to the park. When their mouth is busy they're less likely to use it to nip.
Gus views me as the leader so he doesn't show aggressiveness when @ the park. He knows how the share toys too, & always looks @ me to get toys back from dogs he shares them with.
When I tell him to share he shares. I've never had to get physical with him, this breed is smart, they learn really quickly.
10-04-13, 08:07 AM
#31
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My Aussie(Gus) is so focused on his toys, he herds them more than anything else. Give your Aussie a dogs friendly ball, or Frisbee.
Make the go to toy when you go to the park. When their mouth is busy they're less likely to use it to nip.
Gus views me as the leader so he doesn't show aggressiveness when @ the park. He knows how the share toys too, & always looks @ me to get toys back from dogs he shares them with.
When I tell him to share he shares. I've never had to get physical with him, this breed is smart, they learn really quickly.
Make the go to toy when you go to the park. When their mouth is busy they're less likely to use it to nip.
Gus views me as the leader so he doesn't show aggressiveness when @ the park. He knows how the share toys too, & always looks @ me to get toys back from dogs he shares them with.
When I tell him to share he shares. I've never had to get physical with him, this breed is smart, they learn really quickly.
We are working with him on these. He is only 14 weeks old, and teething.
10-04-13, 08:14 AM
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10-04-13, 08:20 AM
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Only thing I would have done differently is after filing a police report, I'd have given the dog's owner a copy of the medical bills and told him that since he chooses to let his dogs run free to attack people passing by, he has chosen to pay the medical bills too.
10-04-13, 08:34 AM
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Health code violations up the ying yang, 1 report could get them shutdown.
In stores that allow it is fine with me, my dog doesn't throw a fit when he can't have a toy, or have to worry about him wandering off.
I don't even need a leash, he know to follow me.
10-04-13, 08:55 AM
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The advantage of a regular loop ride is you know your turf. Single dogs never bothered me as much and my old (bent) Silca on the wall left its mark on the nose of a German Shepard...that being said and being older and wiser I'd dismount today. It's not worth a crackup trying to ride one-handed and spray, swing at, be distracted by a dog. Dismount. Call 911. Form a Prussian square with other riders and defend yourself and that may get the owners attention. More than one dog is a huge problem, particularly for a lone rider. I suppose if I'm cornered, stopped, dogs are snarling aggressive, then the spray and defensive tools come out including a swung helmet, etc. The best thing you can do is call local authorities..file a complaint, build the record to have the dog owners put on notice.
I've a few dogs buried on our farm because their absentee owners let them run loose and they harassed our horses. The horses defended themselves fine, I just got tired of all the barking and chasing and the shotgun ended that...However that was 25 years ago.
Nowadays...the last thing I need is an angry gun toting purebred owner appearing out of nowhere (happens). Our litigious society means getting the law on your side. That being said, any rider has his/her limit as to what they'll tolerate.
I've a few dogs buried on our farm because their absentee owners let them run loose and they harassed our horses. The horses defended themselves fine, I just got tired of all the barking and chasing and the shotgun ended that...However that was 25 years ago.
Nowadays...the last thing I need is an angry gun toting purebred owner appearing out of nowhere (happens). Our litigious society means getting the law on your side. That being said, any rider has his/her limit as to what they'll tolerate.
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10-04-13, 09:07 AM
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ive only outrun dogs on a bicycle. ive had to dismount a skateboard and use it as a weapon before however. yeah. if a dog were really coming at me on a bike id attempt the bike as shield method or frame pump as baton. i like doggies too. i just dont want to get my leg bit off.
Last edited by pdxtex; 10-04-13 at 09:11 AM.
10-04-13, 09:15 AM
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CDR, are you sure those were border collies? They look more like a mix with one of the Japanese spitz. The ruff and curled tail are common signs of that family.
Edit: as is biting.
Edit: as is biting.
10-04-13, 09:23 AM
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Let the flaming begin, but if I'm walking down the street (or cycling) and a dog bites me I'm completely within my rights to shoot it, at least where I live. And I would have. I'm lucky/glad that both my city and county have leash laws. At the very least, those dogs would both have been impounded and put down.
10-04-13, 09:27 AM
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Good observation!
The white one also looks rather bulky for a border collie.
Border collies are more on the slight side.
I've seen heavy looking Aussies, since they're shorter/lower to the ground, & can be stalky.
Bear dogs get misidentified as border collies on quick looks. Same coloring, close to the same size.
The white one also looks rather bulky for a border collie.
Border collies are more on the slight side.
I've seen heavy looking Aussies, since they're shorter/lower to the ground, & can be stalky.
Bear dogs get misidentified as border collies on quick looks. Same coloring, close to the same size.
Last edited by Ghost Ryder; 10-04-13 at 09:30 AM.
10-04-13, 09:41 AM
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I've ridden by some viscous raw meat fed dogs and as in your case, when being chased while climbing at such slow speed that it's guaranteed the dog can pace you in its sleep (they can easily run 25mph) the only smart move to make is to turn and bomb down that descent as soon as you hear/see that dog. I've avoided several dog attacks this way (I live in the f-ing country). You avoid wrecking into the dog and get to a safe distance and then you dismount for sometime, even 20 literal minutes. The dog will bark and bark and eventually tire and/or owner shows up. After this you can continue the grueling climb.
Another thing to do is wait for a truck driver to pass, wave him down if he's somewhat of a decent person, throw your bike in the back and hitch a ride for a few hundred feet if you're dealing with a large pack (again, country sh*t). Throw him some $ if you can afford.
I've successfully ridden up steep climbs with a pack of probably 7-10 angry dogs located just before the crescent of the ascent in these ways! Works like a charm.
Another thing to do is wait for a truck driver to pass, wave him down if he's somewhat of a decent person, throw your bike in the back and hitch a ride for a few hundred feet if you're dealing with a large pack (again, country sh*t). Throw him some $ if you can afford.
I've successfully ridden up steep climbs with a pack of probably 7-10 angry dogs located just before the crescent of the ascent in these ways! Works like a charm.
Last edited by dralways; 10-04-13 at 09:46 AM.
10-04-13, 09:42 AM
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Let the flaming begin, but if I'm walking down the street (or cycling) and a dog bites me I'm completely within my rights to shoot it, at least where I live. And I would have. I'm lucky/glad that both my city and county have leash laws. At the very least, those dogs would both have been impounded and put down.
I witnessed people kicking, & punching 2 pit bulls because they tag teamed a larger mastiff puppy who was testing dominance.
I quickly rode over on my bike, & broke it up, bike in between.
I told them to be careful when doing that, it a good way to get yourself bitten.
They said it felt good to release their rage, but i said you don't want to add to the aggression @ that point, & risk having 2 50-60lbs pitbull locked on your limbs.
I simply used my water bottle to break it up & separate them.
Spray them in the eyes to get their attention, & get enough time to remove the dogs from the situation.
They weren't even my dogs, but as a dog owner I needed to show these people how to control a situation like that.
Who's the leader, & why you need to have control @ all times.
Don't let things escalate to a point of no return.
Must've looked like a hero in my tights.
10-04-13, 09:49 AM
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Now, if there are two dogs, they might work together.
10-04-13, 09:59 AM
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You don't have to. You can keep him in your field of vision without staring him down as you said. Some dogs may be intimidated by a stare down, many will not. Some breeds have no fear, a stare down is just a challenge to them, and that is the very last thing you want to do.
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10-04-13, 10:02 AM
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Now now, son. You'll be alright. I can help you with that. First, what insurance do you have?
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10-04-13, 10:06 AM
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OP is in France, not America. Other nations have different viewpoints on guns, mostly way tighter than America. So the point is moot.
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10-04-13, 10:13 AM
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A lot of good advice here:
So you know what to expect:
Actually, I think at least some of the dogs in this first video were just friendly, and the rider's response got them worked up. Not excusing the dogs, however...
So you know what to expect:
Actually, I think at least some of the dogs in this first video were just friendly, and the rider's response got them worked up. Not excusing the dogs, however...
10-04-13, 10:21 AM
#48
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Greece has the a lot of stray dogs, its become an epidemic.
They say the dogs form packs, & run neighborhoods like gangs do. They don't fear people, & act like wild dogs.
I'm not sure I could/would be prepared for these kind of dogs, too unpredictable, & too many to deal with.
They say the dogs form packs, & run neighborhoods like gangs do. They don't fear people, & act like wild dogs.
I'm not sure I could/would be prepared for these kind of dogs, too unpredictable, & too many to deal with.
10-04-13, 10:26 AM
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You don't have to. You can keep him in your field of vision without staring him down as you said. Some dogs may be intimidated by a stare down, many will not. Some breeds have no fear, a stare down is just a challenge to them, and that is the very last thing you want to do.
10-04-13, 10:28 AM
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Pepper spray is useful if dismounting alone doesn't solve the problem. You won't have any difficulty getting to it and using it safely while standing on the ground. Could be helpful with more than one dog. Same for a makeshift weapon like a frame mounted pump. But my bike handling isn't good enough to use such tools while trying to escape a dog still riding on the bike.