My second dog attack.

[Faulkner]

I've shared in another thread about how I was attacked last month by a neighbor's dog and how I dealt with it. Short version, while riding my bicycle on a rural country road a pack of dogs allowed to run loose by my neighbor chased and harassed me as I rode by each day. I advised my neighbor of the issue, he did nothing. One dog in particular became more brazen and eventually bit me. Afterwards I went home, fetched my 1911 and walked back down the road. As I neared where the dog lived it came out into the road heading in my direction in an aggressive manner. As it got within pistol range I shot it between the eyes. Police were called, no charges filed, dog owner was advised to keep his dogs up. The incident has since died down.

The second attack was just in the past few days and nowhere near the original incident. While riding my bicycle down a slight incline at just over 20 miles per hour I looked ahead and catch a glimpse of the familiar site of a big dog coming in for the chase. Only thing is, this one is running right at me, never waivers, and slams right into my front wheel. I flew over the handle bars onto the county road's chip seal pavement and my brand new high dollar bike tumbles to the side of the road. As I sit up to take stock of the situation, the dog is just a yards away, the hackles on its back flared and he's barking at me quite aggressively. With blood running down my right knee and elbow, I crawl a few feet over to my bike and retrieve my OC spray. I was not otherwise armed. The dog was just out of range of the OC spray, but I sent a couple of spurts in its direction and I guess he got the hint because he lost interest and pranced his happy self back where he came from, his mission accomplished. I was able to ride back home but as I write this I have a bandaged knee, a brace on my right elbow and my wife has me on anti inflammatory medication to reduce the swelling.

I'm giving due consideration as to how I want to follow up with this incident. Had I been armed I would have shot the dog on the spot. OC spray has been working as a dog deterrent for the most part, though I've been through two cans in the last two months. I'm not on a crusade to kill every loose dog in the community, but once word got out about the first incident I received a lot of positive feedback. I'm a dog owner and have been all my life, but I don't like coming out on the short end of a meeting with someone else's dog that that's allowed to just run loose. I certainly don't want my wife and son to either. I don't plan to go confront this dog like I did the first time, though once I heal up I will be riding fully armed. I realize killing other people's dogs is not real humane, but as I look at my bandages I'm not feeling very humane at the moment. I may go talk to the dog owner if I can determine who owns it.

Just for conversational purposes I'd entertain some feedback from the forum on addressing this situation.

 

[Knightrider03m]

My feedback is to carry your weapon. Seems like your OC was with your bike. If that dog would have came after you once you fell, you would have been his lunch.

 

[mg357]

i say carry your weapon with you and say your prayers regularly.

 

[wheelgun28]

Are you sure that someone didnt glue a dog whistle on your bike someplace. I think you need to take a good look for one...

On second thought do carry steaks or bacon with you while you cycle?



I hope your wounds heal well!!

 

[Kanewpadle]

I have run in's with dogs quite regularly. I don't trust OC to work every time so I don't carry it.

Dogs have teeth and are never unarmed. I am never unarmed. Even if I'm just taking out the trash.

Too many people let their dogs run loose. And it only takes one time to experience the fear and horror of being bit not to mention the pain.

I've been bit twice. I won't happen again. I routinely carry a collapsible baton along with a gun. If I can use the baton to deter the dog, fine. If not, he gets lead poisoning.

I too am a dog owner and lover. But I won't hesitate.

 

[rchance]

My opinion is you either need to call the police and let them deal with it or you need to take matters into your own hands. What would you have done if the dog hadn't of let up? You would either be in the hospital or be lunch. If the owner doesn't put the dog on a leash or inside the fence then you have no choice. I have a dog and I keep it up and so should everyone else.

 

[jtpur]

How dare you ride your bicycle on public streets that are protected by the neighborhood dog committie......

 

[scooter123]

I'm another dog lover and owner. However recently while walking my 25 lbs. Cocker mix we were charged by a rotweiler that I would estimate at about 110 lbs. Fortunately he was stopped short by a hidden fence system but by that time I had my 40 caliber Sig P239 half drawn. In hindsight I should have had it out and aimed by that time but since it was a very high end residential neighborhood I was a bit slow in believing what I was seeing. It's a good thing for me that dogs owner had the forethought to install and train that dog to the hidden fence system because I reacted slow enough that I would have likely been contact shooting.

There is a lesson to be learned here. No matter how nice the area, never let your guard down.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Back in my bike riding (15 speed) days I used pepper spray. In hindsight probably not the best idea, considering some of the vicious dogs I was usually able to outrun. When I saw them coming, and knew I couldn't outrun them, I'd stop and put the bike between me and them. Given the dogs people are keeping these days, I'd carry my snubby in a holster where it was plainly visible and make sure everyone who owned one of these animals knew what would happen should I get attacked. I'm not going to be PC when it comes to a dogs teeth, I've seen to many dog bites.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I'm not on a crusade to kill every loose dog in the community . . .

Tough job, but somebody has to do it. Not every loose dog, of course, but every loose dog that attacks humans. I will say that I used to ride a bicycle a lot, and kept the end of a fishing rod velcroed across my handlebars (at a different stage, I kept it velcroed to my top tube), and that was sufficient for the one or two times a dog approached while I was mounted. But these were domesticated dogs, so maybe that wouldn't have worked in your case.

 

[Xfuzz]

Dog won the first round....

 

[Engineer1911]

I have no time for bullies -- people, dogs or cats. Prepared is 99% of your personal defense posture.

We had Kitty for 21 years and Snuggles is 14.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

I'd recommend the same medicine a good buddy of mine gave to the dog that attacked him, in the presence of his wife and two lovely little girls... double tap to the head with a .45. The dog's owners called the county sheriff who, after seeing the tracks in the county road as the dog charged, told the owners to go home. Good ending to what could have been a disastrous story.

 

[buckeyeshooter1]

Ever thought of spinning class instead of riding outside? If you want to ride outside, carry your gun and shoot Fido before he crashes you.

 

[Kavinsky]

I would say the batton would be a good idea and then keep the pistol as a backup if he doesnt get the point.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

And just to keep this in perspective, when we're talking about having to shoot a dog we're speaking not of a 30 pound Fido but 100 + pounds of teeth bent on snacking on your leg. That's the mutt that gets the bullet just before he gets you.

 

[Faulkner]

How dare you ride your bicycle on public streets ......

You know, that was the same opinion of the owner of the dog I shot.

 

[M29since14]

Back in my bike riding (15 speed) days I used pepper spray. In hindsight probably not the best idea, considering some of the vicious dogs I was usually able to outrun. When I saw them coming, and knew I couldn't outrun them, I'd stop and put the bike between me and them...

Never wise to try to outrun a dog, but I've done a bit of it, too. Back in my riding days, I was out on fairly rough country roads usually riding 15-20 MPH. I had one really bad incident with dogs and another one that could have been even worse (a Great Dane pushed me across the road into on-coming traffic, but lucky for me, the motorist saw what was happening and was able to get stopped in time).

These two incidents gave me reason to give a lot of thought to the matter. My conclusion was that I would rather shoot the idiot owners than the dogs. (I happen to love dogs and generally understand their "motives." For the most part, they think they are just doing their "job." And it is a noble one - protecting their homes and families.) It is their stupid, inconsiderate owner that needs the treatment.

I am not about to get into shooting some little boy's or girl's dog (they can't help it that their parents are irresponsible idiots), and I generally do not believe lawsuits over such things are much of an answer. Any threats of consequences (yes, I have made a few) for the idiot owners for not controlling their dog usually just ends up with something like, "OK, smartxxx, I'll just shoot the dumb dog myself."

The problem is as old as bicycles, and there is no good answer - since it is illegal in most states to shoot the stupid owners.

 

[thndrchiken]

I would be visiting the police to file a complaint and then sue the dog's owners for medical expenses.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I would be visiting the police to file a complaint and then sue the dog's owners for medical expenses.

This...^^^ it is lawyer up time also since it is unlikely to be the last time. I would say the dog should be put down if it is attacking people.

 

[getoff]

having owned several dogs, and having been bit by the strange mutt or two, i am a firm believer of wearing some nice boots and packing a gun. dogs are as good as the person who trains them. as we all know there some idiots out there. i dont go downstairs to see my in-laws without slipping my 442-2 in my galco horsehide pocket holster. other than shooting the dog a good swift kick to the chops, or ribcage should do the trick. i once sprayed a german shepard with old school mace... didnt work to good. was like seasoning on my arm i guess. a good shot to the ear got him off me and running home. the owner and i had a nice little chat, and all was forgivin(told next time a lead pill would be administered instead).

 

[dougb1946]

Shooting a dog that is attacking you is appropriate and probably legal. Going back after leaving the scene of the crime and shooting the dog may be pushing the envelope on legality.
If you have been chewed up, the law provides remedies that effect the dogs owner and getting reimbursed for medical expenses is more meaningful than losing a gun for illegal discharge. An understanding cop is great, but he's not always the one who shows up.

 

[MotorCityGun]

Or, you can do what this armed citizen did, if necessary:

A wheelchair-bound 70-year-old man says he shot a stray pit bull in self-defense

 

[David Sinko]

The only way to handle large aggressive dogs is to shoot them. If you are in a rural area and are a halfway decent shot, shooting them shouldn't be too troublesome. In an urban environment I will wait until they are almost on me and shoot once carefully. The price of missing and hitting somebody who doesn't deserve it is very high. If the dog is actually chewing on you, you need to be very careful that you don't accidentally shoot yourself if the bullet fully penetrates the dog. Only the most hardcore dog will continue fighting after being shot once anywhere. Stray dogs (especially pit bulls) are a huge problem in the 'hood. Tasers work very well but hitting them is not a sure bet for a variety of reasons. If I see a large dog running toward me with malice in its eyes I will choose lead instead of voltage.

Oh, and you want to keep the gun on you, and not on the bicycle.

Dave Sinko

 

[Faulkner]

I would be visiting the police to file a complaint and then sue the dog's owners for medical expenses.

I appreciate your feedback. The only problem is this is out in the country in the Arkansas Ozarks. There'll be no police reports or getting lawyers involve to solve this issue.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I appreciate your feedback. The only problem is this is out in the country in the Arkansas Ozarks. There'll be no police reports or getting lawyers involve to solve this issue.

Some, not all, but some of the people that allow thier dog to run loose and terrorize the neighborhood are losers anyway.

Suing them would be a waste of your time and money.

Ride your bike. Enjoy your ride. Shoot the pooch if needed.

Sorry, but it's brutally that simple.

 

[Road Rat]

i say carry your weapon with you and say your prayers regularly.

I agree completely - except for the praying part (that won't work on dogs)........just carry your firearm!!!!!!!!

 

[Kanewpadle]

To add; I walk in the morning. I am armed. But I also carry an ASP baton in my back pocket as I said before.

The reason is, if I can deter without shooting, great. If not the baton buys me a little time by serving as a "buffer" between me and the dog. If he bites the baton, good. At least it's not my arm. As he's biting, I shoot.

The baton has already worked twice. First time I swung at the dog and he got the hint. Second time, different dog. Hit him as hard as I could on top of the head. Knocked him silly and he turned and ran.

I would strap one to your bike.

 

[J.R.]

Just a couple of non-lethal methods I've used before on charging dogs were a collapsible portable umbrella.The sound of it extending and visual of it opening scares the **** out of dogs, stops them in their tracks and other method is let dog see you bending down and looking like you picked up something and then throwing it at him. Dog doesn't know if you had anything in your hand but will think you threw something at him. I used these methods alot during my meter reading days. Sticks & stones or ? use what ever works best for you.

 

[Larry from Bend]

To add; I walk in the morning. I am armed. But I also carry an ASP baton in my back pocket as I said before.

The reason is, if I can deter without shooting, great. If not the baton buys me a little time by serving as a "buffer" between me and the dog. If he bites the baton, good. At least it's not my arm. As he's biting, I shoot.

The baton has already worked twice. First time I swung at the dog and he got the hint. Second time, different dog. Hit him as hard as I could on top of the head. Knocked him silly and he turned and ran.

I would strap one to your bike.

Carrying an ASP was what occurred to me, also. If the dogs are that bad I'd carry a paintball gun --- mark the dog --- then call the Cops. Maybe they'll find the dog and talk to the owner; if not, at least you've tried to remedy the situation thru lawful means. I'd say shooting someone's dog, even under the circumstances you've mentioned, will only "ramp up" the situation and could cause BIG reprisal. It wouldn't be worth it to me. Hard to believe a can of Bear Spray wouldn't turn a dog ---- but it is expensive. Sometimes, it's not about being right ---- it's about considering the problems your actions might cause. PS: I'm NOT a dog owner.