I'd file a police report. We had a house in the country/foothills that had at least four dogs that would run out into the road and chase cyclist, and for that matter, cars. It was definitely a hazard and I believe against city/county code. Some other cyclists reported it to the police and now the dogs are tied/fenced in.

Also, you may need to get a rabies report from the dog owner. Don't know much about rabies and all, but if the dog has not had its shots, you may need to see a doctor. If you cannot locate the dog or owner, it may be best to consult your physician. Rabies can be bad!

Chris

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Chris
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“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”
― Hunter S. Thompson,

Under normal circumstances I'd first talk to the owner. In 99% of cases he will be willing to co-operate and is likely even unaware of the situation.

It's a bit more serious now that the dog has broken your skin. You're in the right to notify authorities and get a rabies report on the dog.

True story - a woman once reported to police that my friend's dog had "attacked" her. She claimed his dog ran across the road from his property and "bared his fangs" at her causing her great distress. This babe was some kind of an abnoxious "rich bitch" who thought her she put her pants on differently from everybody else and she was determined to go after my friend and dog. She filed a complaint and the the cops issued a citation for my friend to appear in court. He did and brought me in as a witness. She showed up in court with some high priced lawyer who was equally determined to nail the dog (but hey, that's what he's paid for). Funny thing was, his dog had been out on a dive boat with us and four other scuba divers at the time this woman claimed his dog "attacked" her. The judge threw the complaint out since it was obviously a case of mistaken idea.


Just remember there is no such thing as stupid dogs. Just stupid owners.

If you cannot locate the dog or owner, it may be best to consult your physician. Rabies can be bad!


Not to talk about all the other "fauna and flora" that can be found in a dogs mouth. Rabies is nothing compared to flesh eating bacteria (just to scare you).

I for my part would actually consider taking oral antibiotics when bitten by a dog. At least plenty of topical application.

See your doctor, even only for the reason to update your vaccination (Tetanus)

Disclaimer: I am neither an accredited physician nor do I play one on TV.

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adrialin

(BOMK, racing drug and supplement free since 1985)

you can sue your coach who scheduled a ride where you got attacked

Get a lawyer and destroy the life of the owner. This is America after all.

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customerjon @gmail.com is where information happens.

My wife was bitten this summer and required 7 stitches just above the heel. Suffered alot of trauma both mental and physical. In our area when a dog bite is treated the health authorities automatically report the incident to Animal Control and the owner must take the dog in for testing and assesment. If nothing else if you report this now you will do the next person and all of us a great service in that there is now "history" on the animal in question so that it can be dealt with as a repeat offender next time. I don't want to see a dog put down unecessesarily but if it's a repeat offender it may be the only alternative.

Tibbs, this is it. You now officially reach the status of
LEGEND! :-)

Rabies concerns, anyone?? Dog bites should be reported to the animal control folks, after you mention to the neighbor what happened. This might not be the first time. If it's a pattern, it's a problem.

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Dick

Take everything I say with a grain of salt. I know nothing.

LOL

seriously though, it happens quite a bit out here and I have filed complaints with animal control. I called the sheriff once and they also told me to call animal control. Let them handle it. Most owners that would let their dog run around like that would not be too sympathetic to some dude in spandex :)

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maylene jackson, cscs
http://www.kidsintraining.org

long ago (20+ years) i was bitten while running (I think it was called jogging back then!). I called my doctor who called animal control and they picked up the dog. It was unregistered, so they quarrantined (imprisoned I guess!) the dog while they did rabies antibody or whatever tests. Test was negataive but they did get the dog owner to pay my medical bills.

My first question to the dog owner would be "is it registered, do you have proof of rabies vacination?". Farm dog especially could have encounter with rabid fox, skunk, porcupine etc.



Be safe

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don't just do something..... sit there

Learn to ride faster

Exactly my thought. I would make this part of my weekly speed workout.

I suggest stopping and beating the little beast within an inch of its life with your frame pump.
Then, when I ride by later it will be less inclined to bite ME!

PS. I'll do the same for you.

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Rich

Yeah, right! That sounds like it wuld be justt as apt to make him worse. Try some pepper spray.

BUT, REPORT THAT DOG. If it is a repeat offender or if it is ill, not reporting will allow him to injure or sicken others.

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Dick

Take everything I say with a grain of salt. I know nothing.

Nothing like dog repeats 80 miles into a ride for a good change of pace.

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I'm beginning to think that we are much more fucked than I thought.

Many dogs can probably out run most of our cycling, at least in a short dash out to our legs.

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Dick

Take everything I say with a grain of salt. I know nothing.

Short dash my ass. I've had a dog pace me for about a quarter mile at almost 25 mph. Another last week was on my wife and I until we hit a downhill and we didn't put any distance into him until we were well over 30 mph.

For the most part if you get chased by a dog and don't get caught it is only because the dog didn't really want to catch you.

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I'm beginning to think that we are much more fucked than I thought.

> For the most part if you get chased by a dog and don't get caught it is only because the dog didn't really want to catch you.

No doubt. I've out-sprinted a couple of medium-sized retriever/setter types, and the spaniels, small terriers and other ankle biters are noisy and not too fast.

But boy do I dread the day a big 45mph greyhound decides to eat me.

-Zo

[reply]Many dogs can probably out run most of our cycling, at least in a short dash out to our legs.[/reply]

Man, if you can't jump to 35mph in about 3 seconds from 20mph on flatlands then you need to practice sprinting more. I agree, dog repeats are a great way of enforcing the need to haul a$$. I can usually beat cars to 30mph from a clipped-in start, and I don't consider myself a good sprinter either...my buddy that lives 2 blocks away (and runs a race team) kicks my butt every time. I use some of the hills out here to do sprints up them on all my rides except the dedicated "recovery rides." Along the same lines though, did you know those damn horseflies can go over 35mph!?!?!? I had one drafting me and trying to land on me to bite me at 30mph, and it didn't give up until well over 35mph!

Regarding the dog, I would definitely talk to animal control and to the neighbor. Rabies is something you do *not* want to risk, and a dog can be infected and not yet show clear signs. I would personally demand proof of rabies vaccination if I were bitten by a dog.

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I'd contact the law enforcement officials that have jurisdiction in your area. It would be nice to be able to discuss this with the owners, but, I doubt that you are first in line. Unfortunately, its not the dogs fault, its the owners fault that the dog is free to chase/roam etc.

I don't have a problem out sprinting a dog, I also don't have problems getting dogs to back down while I'm running. My kids on the other hand wouldn't know how to handle the situation and would most likely get bit, or worse.

I couple years ago I was going down the road and had a dog jump out and begin to pursue me across a traffic lane. There was an oncoming car and the dog lost the race. I felt really bad for the dog, but I didn't stop. There was nothing I could have done, and I'm confident that the owner would not have had any sympathy for some screwball on a bike that just got his dog killed. This wasn't the dogs fault, but the owners.

I have a border collie that would eagerly chase every runner and bike that goes by my house. He's fenced in and will remain that way. If I have him in the field outside of the fence, I'm with him and he listens to me.

Rocketboy

??

Last year a large pitbull came charging off a porch at me while I was riding. Just as I was ready to kiss my right thigh goodbye, his thin leash (which I couldnt see and was about 30 feet long) came taught and he did a complete backflip right in front of me. Thats as close as I have come.

buy an assult rifle now that they are legal

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Striving to have sex more than 66 times per year

I think the worst part about the dogs (although I love all of them, except for the little yappy ones that aren't really dogs anyway, just glorified squirrels) is that you never hear them until it is too late. I remember bombing down a country road and hitting a hill, just as I start to hit the steepest part I hear the dog's chains about a foot behind me. Boy that peaked my HR. I find a good squirt with the water bottle usually stops em. And if you use your bottle with fuel in it, they stop and sit there and lick themselves to get it all. :)
M~

I got bit on the arm by a weimaraner while on a run. Scared the heck out me and I yelled at the owner, who of course denied that his dog bit me. I was extremely upset but then I found this poem: http://martygaal.com/words/damndog.html which made me laugh about my episode.

Have any of you actually used pepper spray on a dog while riding? Does it work?

Was thinking about putting it on my stem using velcro. I like the idea of a deterrent. In the rural areas of the country, you'd be spending too time on the phone every night if you reported every dog that chased you while on a long ride. For the most part, the dogs are an involuntary incentive to get up and pedal hard. But one day, I may be on a climb going only 8 mph. What then? I'd never be able to out run a dog on a climb. I'd like to know that the pepper spray would work if I had to use it.

I once had a stray dog in the neighborhood that ate my newpaper everyday for about two weeks. One day I got up early, put Tobasco on the paper and went back inside. I came out a couple hours later and the paper was about 10 feet from where it was originally placed. The dog had picked it up, disliked the taste of it and dropped it. The stray dog stuck around the neighborhood for about another week or so, but never messed w/ my newspapers again. So, I'm inclined to think that pepper spray might deter the dog from chasing not only me, but any other cyclist that may wander up behind me on that same route.

Anyone had any experiences?

I have not used it on the bike, but I did once buy 'dog pepper spray' (about 1/10 the usual strength) for my wife several years ago.

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Dick

Take everything I say with a grain of salt. I know nothing.

[reply]Short dash my ass. I've had a dog pace me for about a quarter mile at almost 25 mph. Another last week was on my wife and I until we hit a downhill and we didn't put any distance into him until we were well over 30 mph.

For the most part if you get chased by a dog and don't get caught it is only because the dog didn't really want to catch you.[/reply]

You guys must some pretty wild 'hanky panky.'

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Dick

Take everything I say with a grain of salt. I know nothing.

I would pursue the matter with the authorities just in case this dog has done this in the past or may do it again in the future. I don't blame the dog, I blame the owner.

Rowdy

Got bitten back in July in parkland right next to a sign saying dogs must be kept on leash and to be aware of walkers and cyclists. The owners (an older couple ) were very apologetic and gave me their details. I rode on to the park headquarters for 1st.aid and passed on their details. I had 4 wounds and had to take a course of AB's (rabies is unknown in Aus.). I didn't bother pursuing medical expenses from the dog owners but the ranger rang 2 weeks later to tell me she had sent them a warning letter and also the park had instituted a bike patrol for unleashed dogs.

Hopefully some good has come out of the incident as the park is a popular walk/run/bike/horse haven.

I recently started carrying HALT! in my jersey pocket. Next to cars, dogs are my biggest reason for not riding outside more. I feel a LOT better knowing I have this. If I see a big dog in the road I pull it out, but won't use it unless he comes at me in a threatening way. I haven't had to use it yet but won't feel a bit bad if I do. It causes no long-term harm and could likely teach the dog a lesson that will help it later. If the owner comes out and gets pissed I'll be happy to give him a shot too. (just kidding, sort of)

From an earlier thread about guns:

About four years ago, I was cornered, chased and (if not for my superior sprinting speed) nearly ripped to shreads by 3 large dogs. As I dropped the last rabid hound, I thought of how much I enjoyed riding along that particular stretch of road. The orange blossoms, the early spring heat and the serenity of the open road.....anyway, those dogs belonged to a rancher and were always prowling near the property. I had seen them before and had been chased solo, but never as a pack.

The next day, I left a letter in the ranchers roadside mailbox with words to the effect; '

'I rode by your house today and was nearly mauled by your 3 dogs. The road in front of your property is not their playground. I ride a very expensive bicycle, equipped with GPS, an HRM and a cell phone. If your dogs attack me and cause any injury to me (or cosmetic damage to my pimped out bike) your ranch will be my home, your dogs will be in the pound, your children will be my slaves and you will be homeless.'

Even four years later, I have never seen one of those dogs again and I ride down that road quiet often.

Mojozenmaster knows that sometimes (but not very often) the pen is mightier than the pistol

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**All of these words finding themselves together were greatly astonished and delighted for assuredly, they had never met before**

Twice I have been bitten by dogs while running. Both times broke the skin. The first time it was a hunting hound that was normally fenced in with an electric fence. However, unfortunately for me, the fence was not working one day. The dog got me on the forearm and a good one too. Since it broke the skin, I was obligated to report it. Although the dog had its rabies shots, the owner was obligated to keep the dog in quaratine for 10 days to ensure that no rabies was present. The incident is also kept on record to track any repeat offences. In this case, it was just a sad case of wrong place at wrong time. The dog always barked at me as I ran by, but the fence kept him enclosed on his property. Needless to say, I was quite nervous about running that route again and very upset by the whole incident.

The second one was just as scary for me. I was just starting on my run, passing a neighbour's house. She was dogsitting her daughter's dog. She and the dog were on the front lawn. The dog was leashed and the woman was holding the dog. However, the dog was stronger than she was and it came out and attempted to bite me on the forearm. Fortunately, my watch stopped that one. But, the second attack got me on the thigh. That broke the skin and left one nasty bruise. I, of course, immediately ran home. Again, I had to report the incident since it broke the skin. I felt bad since it was my neighbour, but I also had to follow the laws surrounding dog bites. My neighbour also felt horrible about it, especially because she was unable to hold the dog.

In both cases, I do not blame the owners. Each one had taken steps to ensure that their dogs were safe. However, both cases were a simple fact of wrong place at wrong time. Certain circumstances caused these, but the owners were not negligent. I was lucky since both dogs had their shots up to date and each owner was as upset by the incidents as I was. But, it does not take away the continued nervousness I have when running by houses with dogs.

I do have some places I run by with unleashed farm dogs. I either run on the opposite side of the road from these houses (it seems the dogs do not leave their sides of the road), or I take a few dog treats with me to keep them 'happy'. Sometimes, I also just stop prior to the houses and pick up a few things, like snowballs in the winter or a few rocks in the summer. A couple of the dogs will chase these instead of me. Also taking 'nicely' and 'firmly' to the dog helps. I have attempted to find out the names of these dogs and use their names when I run by. This always seem to throw them for a loop.

But, to make a long story short. If the bite has broken the skin, you are obligated to report it. For your safety, the dog's safety and the safety of others who may pass by.

as a dog owner and triathlete who has been chased by dogs, i say contact the owner first and give them a chance to remedy what they can.

while i was out of town for business, my dog bit a neighbor - didn't break skin, but it bruised her and ripped her sweatpants. when i found out what had happened, i gave her $50 for the pants, offered to cover any medical costs, gave her proof of recent rabies vaccinations, and got my dog into specific obedience classes for aggressive dogs.

some dog owners don't care, but i'd like to think most do. i was really grateful for the opportunity to fix the problem before something more serious happened - what bruised her could have seriously injured/traumatized a child. BUT...if the owner doesn't care, call animal control (or the cops) and report him.

It's always those small to medium size dogs that can get up to 25-30mph for a few hundred yards.

Yep... I have been chased (playfully) by my own dog and she could hold about 32 mph for a decent stretch. She is about 45 lbs, lab / shepherd mix. It would be quite difficult to get away from a dog like this if you did not have a flat or downhill road.



I think the HALT spray is very effective as well as the most humane way to deal with a dog that is loose.