The past two or three seasons I have had to shorten one of my out-and-back routes by ten miles due to a resident acquiring three or four large aggressive dogs. On my initial encounter, I was surprised by one of the dogs actually bumping my rear wheel as it gave chase. Since then, I’ll get within 50 yards and then turn around. Sometimes the dogs will exit the property’s driveway, sometimes they’ll bark through the barbed-wire fence (one or more may have electronic collars - not sure - they don’t cross the fence).
If it were one dog, I’d take my chances, but not with a pack. Is a call to the county sheriff’s office the only way to start an inquiry with the owner as to the dogs’ aggressiveness? It’s a rural area, so there aren’t likely any leash laws, and I may be the only individual on the road not safely in a vehicle (I’ve never seen a jogger, etc.)
Maybe this is a first world problem, but maybe it’s a mauling waiting to happen.
Considering you can’t safely go up to the door and have a conversation I’d say you’re limited to calling and asking for assistance (seeing as how you have legal rights and access to the roadway) or you can google the address and try to find the name and contact number to speak with the owners directly.
I’m always a fan of opening early and respectful lines of communication (think honey vs vinegar) but sometimes you are left with no recourse.
Sure the easiest thing to do is avoid the route but that still doesn’t address the larger pressing issue at hand. And the risk is maybe that’s a young child walking or riding a bike one day.
We as citizens do have an obligation to be courteous neighbors but also look out for others. We often unfortunately lack the tact or other communications skills, or worse the ability to recognize we may be at fault, to do so.
I would be putting in the effort to address it with owners first via phone call if possible and then local authorities.
Years ago, wife and I were visiting her sister in AR shortly after they moved there from NY. While out on a run, this nasty looking Cujo like thing parked itself in the middle of the road watching us approach. Wife and I turned around.
Talking with her sister later on about it, she said she called the local sheriff about it after she came back from a walk. She said the sheriff said to bring a gun and just shoot it if it caused a problem. Her welcome to the South moment.
Yeah, people love their dogs more than people. That’s why I want a degree of separation between me and the owner, and preferably someone who has the judgment to ascertain the temperament of the dogs and the authority to inquire about any measures keeping the dogs within the property boundaries. I don’t want to antagonize the owner, though.
I decided to put off my ride till tomorrow when the wind will be blowing from the opposite direction, and I’ll take a different route.