[Moto700]

I was riding by a fenced in dog park once and a dog ran up to the fence and started barking. That was OK but annoying (fenced area) but what PO'd me was the owner yelling "get the bike, get the bike". I do carry Halt and it does work, on dogs and irate owners. As far as I'm concerned a dog owner angry about me defending myself might try to bite me.

[Noel]

Originally Posted by salvage_bikes

Hello, Noel. Thanks for your courtesy, but I am not sure why you are feeling a need to apologize. I agree with you that most dogs, even most of those that run along roads, are not usually dangerous other than that they may run into the bikes. But there are a large amount of households, esp. in rural areas or developing rural areas, that have loose dogs which have become emboldened and unafraid of humans (esp cyclists), and that a growing number of people are raising violent dogs. We need to raise awareness of this, and dig into the science of why dogs chase bikes, so that more can be done to repel them besides brute force, spray weapons, or police collection of their dogs. I am all in favor of police collection of any dog in the street, but it's just not going to happen in a lot of places, esp where cops are sympathetic to the loose-dog owners, spiteful towards cyclists, or afraid of the dog owners.

Just trying to keep things civil. Glad you're not upset with me.

[Saugus18]

I just now came home from a ride with my g/f. Taking a familiar path up a hill, another dog came from nowhere, (same exact area where a different dog charged at me nipping at my peddling feet) my g/f kinda freaked and pulled her legs up from the peddles out of the dogs reach, it was definitely aggressive. I took another quick look at the dog, and noticed it was totally muzzled. So, this dog was all bark and no bite. .. while I still don't like either of us be chased by dogs, at least the owner was responsible enough to muzzle it. Ill have to give the owner kudos to that, if they must let it run loose.

[salvage_bikes]

I think I will order this after consulting local laws. $55, comes with multiple Pepper spray sizes. http://www.udap.com/images/Product%20400/psk.jpg

INCLUDES the one with the hand-held velcro strap. The website says the can can be placed on the back of the palm for bicyclists, so you can brake and shift ok. It looks harder to use that way but still ok, unless you have a hand problem. Also, if it is on one hand, that is very difficult if you have the dog on the other side of the bike. Remember, hold your breathe and shield your eyes as best possible, and don't hit your fellow riders! I've heard of group riders being fogged by accident when a dog goes after the front or the wind picks up. One forum advised to warn all fellow riders you have the sprayer, then you can coordinate counter-attacks on the dog. If all the riders have them, the dog will be majorly WAP (without a paddle...) .

Well, if it's muzzled, that's some use, but probably it will just make the dog madder, and it might still wreck you or be able to pull clothing. I would probably not spray it but if it pushes your bike or touches you, I'd say it's fair game for pushing or kicking it or videotaping and reporting it to authorities. It should not be able to get into the road, and the behavior must be stopped.

You should check your local laws and local LEO attitudes about the weapons and sprays. I'm no lawyer so I am trying to find more info. Apparently in TX there is a controversy about pepper spray legality. The law on OC pepper spray is unclear, so the gray area has led to some people being ARRESTED (felony charges!) for carrying large canisters or things marked "police strength". Other striking weapons and stun weapons might be highly illegal (like brass knuckles! You'd think knuckles should be legal if you can carry knives etc, but not in TX! I don't think knucks would do much to a dog but all options should be considered if you are being "dogged". Stay legal, stay safe!

[salvage_bikes]

I found some small (6oz) spray bottles at the dept. store, that look like decent quality. I plan to augment a commercial high power pepper spray, with a couple of squirt bottles full of home-made concentrated Habanero pepper hot sauce. (boil habaneros, mash them a bunch, strain the liquid off and filter it, and add vinegar-no salt, so it doesn't clog the sprayer). It won't injure the dogs permanently, but hit the runners with mega-hot sauce and maybe they'll bug off. I'll spray it on the road too, as a territorial marking. It's just hot sauce, not even "pepper spray", so that should be well legal.

[stealthammer]

Most "attacks" are instinctive or territorial in nature and simple leaving the dogs perceived territory will stop the pursuit, and often a loud "Back!" or a squirt of water will work. However, your best defense against a actual dog attack is your big chainring. One swipe across their head or back and they will reconsider....


Save the pepper spray for the owners......

[salvage_bikes]

The owners are usually rich land holders who are often not apparently home. (no one calls the dogs, no one visible). I stay away from cul-de-sacs and driveways. I have at times even ridden flats to stay away from people's property. Some dogs are sneaky and if you're on their yard, it's their lucky day. I'd rather not tangle with them. If a bad dog is allowed to run loose and is not even remotely contained in a large yard with porous fences, I am not going to expect its owner to be polite and nonchalant about his /her dog getting sprayed or repelled forcefully. I have better defenses than a bike, esp one that often weighs 40-60lb when loaded with belongings or equipped with a bike engine. My moped weighs 75lb. I can lift them, but could not do so rapidly, or swing them.

I'd rather not encounter the dogs or their owners.

The dogs I typically have problems with do not only run on the grass or growl, which I could ignore happily. They deliberately run directly to the street and from behind, or team with other dogs to ambush from the front. I don't like being bayed or chased like an animal. I'm a polite and friendly rider, always a smile and a wave to good folk, even some rude folks, but can't tolerate a dog getting in spitting range. Little yap yap dogs, forget them. I'm annoyed, but not afraid of them. But they quickly alarm larger, powerful dogs. A scenic country road can turn into a literal gauntlet in a minute.