Charged By Dogs on Bicycle (Different Dogs)

[fdcg27]

There is something about the sound that a bicycle makes that sets dogs off.
I don't know what it is, but when I was young and raced, I did fifty miles a day in training and learned to watch out for and evade dogs.
As a 125 lb racer, I was very fast. I could do twenty five miles in less than fifty minutes on a good run. I recall a guy on a Harley pacing me uphill and telling me that I was crazy. I asked him how fast we were going. He replied that we were doing about twenty five. On the same road one morning, a girl leaned out of a Mustang and patted my butt.
Good times, but I did learn that there is something about a bike that sets dogs off. If you aren't fast, and I'm not now, carry pepper or a firearm. You neither want nor need to get bitten.
The frame pump is also a useful defensive weapon.

 

[dlundblad]

I bet that house never gets robbed.

*I've given my opinion on this topic in your other thread, so hear me out. Beware of making too many complaints to the police. They may either A) Think you are causing trouble. B) Disregard your complaint and not investigate. C) Both.

Just a friendly suggestion. Happy riding.

 

[Danno]

When I was young, fast and foolish there was a neighbourhood large mixed breed dog loose. I would get a good head of steam up on my 10 speed, slight down hill and call the dog as I zipped past. He was pretty fast, but I was a little faster. He would give up just as the road went uphill.

Fun times.

 

[Falken]

Buy a Velo Dog:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velo-dog

Dogs biting bikers is an age old problem!

 

[bepperb]

If the cops don't do anything find out who their homeowner's insurance is and call them. When we changed our policy they came out, didn't even look inside the house... but needed a picture of our Lab. Must be a pretty significant liability to have a dog these days.

 

[John_K]

I am recovering from a major illness, and as part of my recovery the doctor wants me to walk around the neighborhood. This is exactly the scenario that scares me about walking.

John

 

[Clevy]

Op


I think if you want some peace of mind you'll have to arm yourself with either pepper spray or a firearm.

Having been on the receiving end of pepper spray 3 times I can assure you it's effective.
Heck once we were drinking at a west side bar and some idiot sprayed a bouncer as he was being escorted out.
The spraying occurred in their lobby and you had to walk thru 2 sets of closed doors to get into the bar and the bouncer was sprayed as the outside doors were being opened and still everyone in the bar had to be evacuated and many of us had eyes burning very badly and we were exposed to fumes at the very most.
So as long as you can get even a drop or 2 near a dogs eyes,or worse the nose you should incapacitate the animal.
Find a type that sprays a burst and not a stream.
Very effective. Speaking from experience.

 

[19jacobob93]

Disappointed! The title suggested you were charged at by dogs riding bicycles

 

[crazyoildude]

Im licensed to carry and have never shot an animal.

 

[Number_35]

Clevy - A few weeks ago I cycled the Canmore-Banff Legacy Trail. Incredible! No bears I'm glad to say.

 

[raytseng]

In the MSF course they go over the scenario by saying you slow down and when they adjust trajectory then you speed up past them, versus just speeding up or going constant. It will throw the dogs off as they won't figure out the solution to intercept.

Have any of you tried this? Perhaps it's a better than the fumble to get your defensive weapon out and then use it one handed that you're getting from the internet badasses.

 

[michaelluscher]

Originally Posted By: John_K
I am recovering from a major illness, and as part of my recovery the doctor wants me to walk around the neighborhood. This is exactly the scenario that scares me about walking.

John



...Now I've got family in CMH, and from what I've seen and been told, this isn't the biggest problem....
Pepper spray may make you feel better?

 

[Jakegday]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I wouldn't go biking there without packing some heat,full magazine,round in chamber!


couldnt have said it any better!

 

[andrewg]

I rode bicycles all my life, up until knee and achilles issues made it unenjoyable anymore. In all that time...40 years...I think I've been endangered by a dog MAYBE twice? Never bitten nor has a dog caused the bike to spill either.
I've had FAR, FAR, more dangerous issues with cars than any dog.
What am I saying, exactly? Well....just that sometimes dogs can be very aggressive in behavior but often cease just before you think they will actually attack. I've noticed on a few rides that dogs will make a huge fuss as you approach territory they see as something to 'protect'. Generally, as you go past and away from the property they will back off.
Your situation strikes me as highly unusual in my experience. It certainly sounds like, from your description, they WOULD have attacked. You did the right thing by dismounting and facing them on the hill.
As many have stated, bear/dog/pepper spray would have worked very well and not have been as extreme (and in my opinion...WAY overboard) as using a firearm. Keep in mind that I am all three things...a dog lover, a former cyclist, and a gun owner. But some of these cowboy types that use colorful words and bravado about why you should be armed is....well...kind of alarming.

Good luck in whatever you choose to do in the future regarding this issue.

 

[John_K]

Originally Posted By: michaelluscher
Originally Posted By: John_K
I am recovering from a major illness, and as part of my recovery the doctor wants me to walk around the neighborhood. This is exactly the scenario that scares me about walking.

John



...Now I've got family in CMH, and from what I've seen and been told, this isn't the biggest problem....
Pepper spray may make you feel better?


It's not a huge problem but there have been a couple dog attacks in the news this year. After two mnths in the hospital I sure would hate to go back!

John

 

[stockrex]

[flame on] gosh, another dog hating thread [flame off]

my little girl goes out biking by herself all the time, I don't wish any harm to cute dogs but if it came to choose between my little girl or a dog, I hope the day never comes.

owners are irresponsible and should do more, file a complaint in the police and then take them to civil court. unfortunate but you will be saving other from injury!

 

[cashmoney]

Buy and carry a high quality "police strength" pepper spray in at least a 3-4 once canister.

If permissible where you live and you are able to train, practice, and learn to use a firearm, obtain a CC license and carry a 380 or 9mm as backup if the pepper spray doesn't stop the attack. Obviously the last thing you want to do is pull a gun and shoot a dog (or a person) but sometimes it may be ultimately necessary to avoid being attacked and hurt by criminal predators and/or vicious animals.

 

[Merkava_4]

Some people oughtta have a concealed carry on their person and in Tennessee it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[john_pifer]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
Im licensed to carry and have never shot an animal.


What's your point?

 

[john_pifer]

Originally Posted By: andrewg
I rode bicycles all my life, up until knee and achilles issues made it unenjoyable anymore. In all that time...40 years...I think I've been endangered by a dog MAYBE twice? Never bitten nor has a dog caused the bike to spill either.
I've had FAR, FAR, more dangerous issues with cars than any dog.
What am I saying, exactly? Well....just that sometimes dogs can be very aggressive in behavior but often cease just before you think they will actually attack. I've noticed on a few rides that dogs will make a huge fuss as you approach territory they see as something to 'protect'. Generally, as you go past and away from the property they will back off.
Your situation strikes me as highly unusual in my experience. It certainly sounds like, from your description, they WOULD have attacked. You did the right thing by dismounting and facing them on the hill.
As many have stated, bear/dog/pepper spray would have worked very well and not have been as extreme (and in my opinion...WAY overboard) as using a firearm. Keep in mind that I am all three things...a dog lover, a former cyclist, and a gun owner. But some of these cowboy types that use colorful words and bravado about why you should be armed is....well...kind of alarming.

Good luck in whatever you choose to do in the future regarding this issue.



Well, I don't know where you were riding, but this is the northern outskirts of Nashville, TN. I'm talking a fairly rural, but still very populated area. Junkyards, mobile homes, farmland, businesses, as well as houses. Lots of people let their dogs run free. Most of the dogs just sit in their yard and watch me ride by. I can deal with loose dogs as long as they don't come out into the street to attack me (I was actually bitten by a single dog a few weeks ago - there is a thread about it). I really don't like loose dogs at all, because I ride motorcycles too, and they've wrecked friends of mine, and almost wrecked me. Matter of fact that's how I first learned to endo my R1 - a dog ran out in front of me.

I actually am waiting for my handgun carry permit to arrive in the mail. I had one years ago but let it expire. Recently, after the first dog attack, and in consideration of increasing crime, I decided to go through the steps again and re-acquire my HCP.

I am an avid shooter and own several firearms, including a Glock 36, which will likely be my bicycle gun until I get myself a pocket-carry pistol (currently lookikg at the Kahr PM9 and the Sig P938).