[routerman]

From S. Calif. Hit twice in 3 months by loose Pitbulls.
Total surprise, no chance of out running them.
Would very much appreciate knowing what you riders do to protect yourselves from loose bad dogs.

 

[wild]

I use a spray, Dog Repelent it is used by the post men seams to work without hurting the dog, thay just seam to stop and walk away, NO rubbing of the eyes or yelping

 

[Hazy]

From S. Calif. Hit twice in 3 months by loose Pitbulls.
Total surprise, no chance of out running them.
Would very much appreciate knowing what you riders do to protect yourselves from loose bad dogs.

You were attacked? Or bark worse than their bite type of deal??

If surprised, quickly dismount and use your bike as a shield until help arrives or they get bored. I have pepper spray mounted on my bike but have yet to need it as a quick squirt from my water bottle has done the trick on surprise dog appearances.

I have several routes of which I am familiar with where dogs usually appear and I use those as Interval training

Might try to find out what the leash laws are in your area as well and notify proper authorities if applicable.

 

[routerman]

Bitten. Thigh and thumb once; ankle the second time whilst on blood thinners for heart problems, 2 miles to get home whilst leaving a trail of type A all the way.
Spray is welcomed x these beasts. Will take more than a bike shield.
One dog ran off, the other quaranteed x dog authorities only to be freed 10 days later; back to owner with reprimend.
Looking for a more black and white deterrent, thank you.

 

[Gandalfe]

If it happens again, consider seeing a lawyer. It's for the good of the community, not just about money. If you can't afford a lawyer, many will take these kind of cases pro bono publico.

Here's another take on a dawg problem.

 

[Noel]

Although, I love dogs and find that most stop chasing when you stop riding and that dogs I encounter on a regular basis usually get used to me and stop coming after me when I go by. When it comes to pit-bulls, I take no chances. By all means contact the authorities, carry pepper spray and avoid that route if at all possible. The owners of these things are irresponsible for having them at all, let alone letting them run free. My brother has one and I hate it. Even after it supposedly got to know me it came at me onetime without any provocation. I was lucky to have a a door behind me, through which I could escape. These things are not dogs they are monsters. Their record of unprovoked attacks says it all. TAKE NO CHANCES.

 

[photosbymark]

Not all pit bulls are mean anymore than all people are mean, but it is one breed that does deserve extra caution. Owners are not necessarily irresponsible for having them, but they shouldn't be running free in an urban area. It is one thing to let a dog run free when you own a 1000 acres and the dog stays totally on your land. That dog shouldn't be harassing anyone on a public street anywhere. As far as turning on an owner the dalmatian is far worse than the pit bull. It just looks cute and is supposed to be the dog on the fire truck. Yet it often has serious hearing problems, and needs space to run. If it doesn't get that space to run, it often gets aggressive.

Many breeds outrunning them isn't an option. Trying to speed up often triggers an instinct in the dog to chase. Pepper spray is a key. Often you do not even have to get it on the dog to teach it not to mess with you. A dog sense of smell is so much better that just getting close and the smell means this guy isn't one to mess with. Getting the bike between you and the dog also offers a level of protection.

One other thing you need to consider. Were those dogs vaccinated when you were bitten??? If you don't know for certain they were, you need to talk to your doctor. Depending on how much time has passed from the last bite, you may need care. No not from the wound, but if the bite drew blood, you are at risk for some possible health problems that the shots are designed to prevent.

Now here in Texas, the dog would have a whole different set of problems.

 

[Xela]

Here's another take on dealing with dogs from a Bicycling Mag blog.

Cycling Around Aggressive Dogs | Rambling Man | Bicycling.com

 

[bobbeuke]

Here on the Oklahoma-Texas border home owner are supposed to be liable for there dogs. A couple of years back I was attacked by a rotweiler,and 2other muts. While none of the dogs bit me, one did get right in front of me and I t-boned Hume with the front wheel at about 20 mph. After 1 titanium plate, seven screws, 3broke ribs and $25,000, I hired a lawyer and got my money back thanks to their homeowners insurance.

After that happened I started carrying more "halt" and a small .22 revolver that is about 2.5" long.

 

[bobbeuke]

Just make sure you have the carrying licence for the pistol.

 

[routerman]

Looking at a spring loaded 3/4 " x 18" aluminum bar in the down tube. Loaded like a pump.
Hate thinking this way but there is no help here except after the fact.
2 runners got hit x a pack of 4 Pitts last week. One a pro-runner, will not run in competition again.
No consolation for him; I was lucky. I now no longer use certain country avenues.
Losing freedom x the week.

 

[qmsdc15]

I hate dogs.

 

[Saugus18]

I live in the land of dogs .Seriously, I've never lived around so many dogs in my life. I live in a kind of biker (motorcycle) / pick up truck kind of town, and everyone seems to have one or more dogs. Many of them of the large variety. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, even people walking by don't seem to bother them at all, but you go by on a bicycle, and they just go bonkers. .. what's up with that? 99% of them are locked up in their yards, but the other day a medium size dog appeared from nowhere, caught up with me and started nipping at my feet as I was pedaling. I almost kicked him in the head, when he stopped and turned away. But this is a good topic, its good to be prepared for some bad stuff in case it does happen. I can definitely see possible problems around here. I guess pepper spray or some repellent would be good, as long as its right where you can grab it immediately

 

[robkyle]

I was having a problem with a specific dog towards the end of the summer. One time while he was chasing me I could feel my calf in his mouth. I was peddaling my tail off & he couldn't clamp down to bite me and run to keep up at the same time. The owner saw it happen - man was he a jerk. Said the dog was defending his property. I called animal control and haven't seen the dog since.

 

[joemorreale]

We used to ride a route that a dog's owner would leave him out early in the morning. Constantly attacked us. I used a water bottle with water and ammonia in it, one shot and he never came after us again. I know it's cruel but I've been bit and knocked down by menacing dogs. I consider them nothing more than another dangerous animal if that's how they act.

 

[Saugus18]

Actually, I have no sympathy for any dog that is on the loose and has the potential for causing bodily harm to people minding their own business on public property. If I feel my body is in danger, the dogs body is gonna be in danger. I will do whaever it takes to protect myself from any animal that shows such aggression. And most of all, the owners of such animals should be liable to the fullest extent of the law for letting such animals loose on the prowl like that. Complete BS

 

[froze]

I rarely have dog problems, I've had 3 in 40 years of riding. One dog came out of front yard while his owner sat there attending to his flowers and never called the dog back even though he saw the dog run after me, I was climbing a steep hill so I couldn't pedal away so I simply took my bicycle pump and smacked the runt on the nose. The dog yelped and ran home while his owner screamed at me for hitting his dog. I screamed back that if I ever ride past his house again and that dog come out I would kill it! Then the second time a huge dog chased me for about 11 blocks forcing me to stop for red lights then run the light or get ate. So about the 11th block I heard a car slam on their brakes, a squeal of tires a thunk sound I turned around to see a dog flying through the air then bounce off a brick retaining wall where he laid dead. Then the last time two Pit Bulls chased me for about a 1/4 of mile at speeds up to 24 mph so I was able to out run them.

Most of the time you can out run a dog if your on a bike unless your climbing a steep grade, you shouldn't have to get off and use the bike for a shield. My biggest fear when riding in California was always the silent lurking mountain lion. These bad boys can run to speeds of 45 mph but for only maybe a 10th of a mile, but during that short period their on you. I was told to use my bike as a shield and eventually they would get bored and leave. I was glad I never ran into one of those guys, but I have read quite a few accounts of riders who had and a couple I read about actually were killed. Most of the cat encounters are with MTBers riding off road some place, but occasionally they would be seen by bikers while riding roads.

Sometimes when I take my bike to go fishing or camping I carry a very small 45cal Derringer, it conceals really easily, and I only need one shot, there's a second just in case; but I'm real good with hitting whatever I shoot. But the gun is more for two legged creatures rather then four legged ones. The four legged animals will normally stay away from two legged creatures, it's the two legged creatures that may start problems especially if they see that you're alone and you're in a remote area. Otherwise I won't carry a weapon when riding.

Problem with carrying a weapon and touring out of state is that some states won't recognize your state's license...but that's the chance you take.

 

[Saugus18]

Froze quote: " The dog yelped and ran home while his owner screamed at me for hitting his dog."

Now see that's such BS right there. The owner of this animal is pissed at you because you're defending yourself from a possible attack? Who do these pin heads think they are? If I had a dog that did that, I would be apologizing profusely to whomever that happened to. But then again, I wouldn't have my dog running around loose if it did that.

You mention big cats, now that's some scary stuff right there. There are Bob cats around where I live, but I've never seen one. Now what I have seen many times on my route are coyotes ... I just saw one today in fact, a young one, but they just take off as soon as they see you.

Wait.. a .45 Derringer? How the heck do you hold on to a gun that small with a .45 style recoil? Damn. ..

 

[froze]

You mention big cats, now that's some scary stuff right there. There are Bob cats around where I live, but I've never seen one. Now what I have seen many times on my route arwaite coyotes ... I just saw one today in fact, a young one, but they just take off as soon as they see you.

Wait.. a .45 Derringer? How the heck do you hold on to a gun that small with a .45 style recoil? Damn. ..

I saw lots of Coyotes but their extremily skittish and will run at first glance of you. I saw plenty of Rattlesnakes too, these boys would come out onto a road to sun themselves. Not a good idea because they would get smashed by cars; but I would be coming down a mountain road doing 30 plus see a Rattler and just run right over them! They didn't like that and would rattle their tails, probably even tried striking but I would be going to fast for them to be successful...I kind of did for fun!

The 45 Derringer does have a recoil and it slams the palm of your hand pretty hard, but they did a good job designing the handle so the recoil is fairly easy to control. But I choose the 45 knowing it was going to cause little pain firing it, but I also knew that at close range it was going to create some serious and fatal pain to a two legged creature. It can also fire 410 buckshot, birdshot and slugs but I've never done it because I don't see the purpose in it. I like the gun because I can conceal it in the palm of my hand and someone walking up won't even know I'm going for a gun so the surprise is put back on them. Obviously and thankfully I've never had to use it on someone and don't believe I ever will.

The thing you have to remember is that most civilian self defensive gun shots have been at about 6 feet and less from the assilant and only one shot is able to get off. So with a heavy caliber 45 Derringer that one shot to the body's center mass is going to probably kill the person instantly. So due to statistics I won't need to get off a second round even though I have one in reserve, thus carrying a gun with 9 rounds is useless, and carrying a smaller cal Derringer may not take the assilant down and may just piss him off or allow him to get a shot off. Keep in mind, these derringers are not accurate at long distances, it's a close point blank range self defense type of weapon. If you do get one practice with it a lot because they shoot differently then any other gun you've fired. Also I have the Bond not the American Derringer, the Bond seems to be a better built gun manufacture though they cost more.

Keep in mind, shooting someone will create a legal nightmare even if self defense is known. Say little to the cops, give them the short facts of the events, politely ask for a lawyer before saying anything else beyond the short facts, and request to file charges against the assilant...even if their dead!

 

[joemorreale]

I live near the edge of the everglades. Many people dump their dogs to fend for themselves. They become wild beasts. We had a rottweiler come straight at myself and two kids. There was no way around him. I got my front wheel off and let him bite the spokes while I repeatedly slammed him in the face. After getting his eyes bloody he gave up and walked away. That dog should have been shot. Another time in a neighborhood a dog attacked from behind a hedge. His canine tooth got caught on my tendon behind my knee. I went down and had to fight the dog to extradite him from my leg. Followed the dog home where the homeowner let him in and would not answer the door. When I called the police they told me they had to witness the attack to cite him. Had to get an attorney to pay my medical bills. They dog was destroyed to see if it had rabies only after a court order because the owner simply said he did not have a dog. The dog was not licensed. In my area cyclists are second class citizens unless you happen to roll through a stop sign, then you're public enemy number 1.