Free runnin Dogs!

[dondje]

True story.
Years ago I was bicycling on a country road with some friends. As we passed a house, a boy and a dog charged out the front door. The boy yelled something to the effect of, "Go get 'em, Spot!" The (scary) dog flew out towards us.... and was flattened by a car. We rode on, leaving the boy standing there.

(3) of us residences lived on a country, dead end, dirt road. Me in the middle. Neighbors between me and the HWY had a pit bull that would run beside and the pull in behind me no matter what I was driving. Neighbors seemed to encourage him and did nothing about it. Pulling the boat to the lake one day, dog comes out, runs beside, and goes to pull in behind. Trailer tires runs over him. He is laying in the road bleeding heavy out of his mouth, convulsing, and pretty battered up. Neighbors were not home. Went to my vehicle and got the 44 and put him out of his misery. Neighbors didn't talk to me for years. They thought I should have taken him to the vet, 30min away. Later, not sure they would have paid me back, as they also thought it was my fault he got run over.

Regards,

Don

[LeftCoast]

I'd avoid the hornet spray in favor of pepper. The poison in the hornet spray may do more damage than you intend.

[TONYO]

2Dogs...SIR.....The trailer park dog was just ONE of aprox. 5 that have damn near bit me! Ive been by there 15 times and never had a problem. OK....As Ive already said.....I called the sheriffs dept. about one.They did not even call me back!I just dont go down that road anymore.....It is a pit bull at a double wide with a sofa and an old washing machine on the front porch.AND A jesus/trump sign in the yard.Im sure they would welcome me tellin em to put it up. I feel like a new born impalla on the african plains bein chaised by hyenas out there! I cant risk tryin to dodge or outrun em anymore. I have every right to protect myself on a public road. IF I have to shoot one.Ima kill it just drive away. I can not afford to wait till the damn beast has hurt me! AND....From my experences with the human animal.....Just try to tell one of em to keep their dog up n see how that goes over. TY For the input.

[Navvet]

Several products on the market with Citronella Spray, stops the dogs in their tracks but won't bother you if to get some.

[Gwolf]

Just FYI......... I have had some experience with dogs that run loose killing livestock and fighting with my herd dogs. You can just about bet that anybody who lets the dogs run loose and chase vehicles, does not have the proper vaccinations for them. Failure to produce a current rabies vaccination paper if the dogs bites someone or injures some other dog, is a serious matter. The animal control will go after that dog and put it in quarantine. The owner of the dog will also be in a world of hurt.

[JoshHefnerX]

"Bear" spray is also available. Used in Alaska and does deter angry bears. I'm sure it would deter an angry dog too. Should be minimal if any repercussions from local pd.

[WisconsinDavid]

I was being facetious about actually shooting... it could cause trouble if you do and are identified. However, the threat of that might make the law enforcement people take note that there is a real problem on that road caused by a nuisance, unrestrained animal. It might force them to look your way and actually respond, and not leave the phone complaint sit without response. You can tell them it is not your job to do anything, but it IS their job when public safety is involved in their jurisdiction. Chances are the animals in that setting are not given proper shots / vet care. I don't envy you being held hostage on the road by angry and loose dogs.

[JeffandLori]

How bout going to the shelter and picking up a cat and keep it in a bag. Just throw it out like the stuff they use to head off homing missiles.

Just joking of course.

[JayBros]

Tell the police (or animal control)... "I'm going to shoot that dog if it comes at me again." See if that gets them to do something about it. If not... um... shoot it Or, maybe not. Sorry for the canine capers by you.

I had an experience with such a dog, real vicious critter, when training for a cross-country bicycle trip. I confronted the owner, told him if the dog came after me again I would shoot it. I then called county animal control and told them exactly what I told the owner. The county told me they would make a "wellness visit" to the owner. The dog disappeared.

[Zoot]

I'd avoid the hornet spray in favor of pepper. The poison in the hornet spray may do more damage than you intend.

Even ordinary pepper spray can blind a dog (or a human) if not washed out of the eyes promptly. If the dog can't see to get home and/or the owners don't figure out what you did... the dog could be blinded.

[ChicagoSpyder]

How bout going to the shelter and picking up a cat and keep it in a bag. Just throw it out like the stuff they use to head off homing missiles.

Just joking of course.

Chaff & flares.

[Gwolf]

Even ordinary pepper spray can blind a dog (or a human) if not washed out of the eyes promptly. If the dog can't see to get home and/or the owners don't figure out what you did... the dog could be blinded.

So spray the owner instead of the dog. The dog probably doesn't know any better. The owner should.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I found years ago the best thing to do is, first, wear boots for your foot's safety. Then, as soon as the dog comes out after you, stop. Dogs chase moving objects, not stationary ones. The dog will stop, but of course start the chase again as soon as you start. So you stop again. After several repeats of this move, stop, move, stop, the dog will get tired of the game and go home. By doing this you deprive the dog of the excitement of the chase.

[2dogs]

2Dogs...SIR.....The trailer park dog was just ONE of aprox. 5 that have damn near bit me! Ive been by there 15 times and never had a problem. OK....As Ive already said.....I called the sheriffs dept. about one.They did not even call me back!I just dont go down that road anymore.....It is a pit bull at a double wide with a sofa and an old washing machine on the front porch.AND A jesus/trump sign in the yard.Im sure they would welcome me tellin em to put it up. I feel like a new born impalla on the african plains bein chaised by hyenas out there! I cant risk tryin to dodge or outrun em anymore. I have every right to protect myself on a public road. IF I have to shoot one.Ima kill it just drive away. I can not afford to wait till the damn beast has hurt me! AND....From my experences with the human animal.....Just try to tell one of em to keep their dog up n see how that goes over. TY For the input.

All I can tell you now is to choose your options wisely. Wish you best of luck with the matter.

[Raprider]

What ever happened to the old "slow down, then speed up" routine? Throws the dog off-speed. I have whippets and greyhounds, which can top out at 33 mph. Not saying it isn't scary when any dog takes up the chase, but I can't imagine any dog running faster than a moving bike, unless you're still in first gear.

[LeftCoast]

What ever happened to the old "slow down, then speed up" routine? Throws the dog off-speed. I have whippets and greyhounds, which can top out at 33 mph. Not saying it isn't scary when any dog takes up the chase, but I can't imagine any dog running faster than a moving bike, unless you're still in first gear.

This is actually good advice, the dog will change the intercept angle based on the slower speed and won't be able to react quickly enough to the increase in speed. But on the flipside, who wants to have this as part of their ride prep everyday?!

[Zoot]

"Eddie's my training partner."

[UtahPete]

Many years ago I had the same problem. Always wore engineer boots when riding. I applied boot to snout of offending dog. He went yelping down the road.

much safer, effective and humane. Don't take your hands off the handlebars or your eyes off the road

[dondje]

I'd avoid the hornet spray in favor of pepper. The poison in the hornet spray may do more damage than you intend.

We keep a can of hornet spray in each bedroom and hidden close to each door in my daughter's apartment. Have firearms also, but would rather use hornets spray than risk something passing through walls into neighboring apartments. Proven to be a good alternative, intruder disabler.

Regards,

Don