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How to Deal With Bad Dogs
By Fred Matheny and Ed Pavelka of www.RoadBikeRider.com
Dog attacks are high on the list of cycling
fears. Maybe you can't stop Fang from giving chase, but you can outsmart
him if you know how dogs think, assuming that stinkin' mutt even has a
brain!
Know
dog psychology. The majority of dogs who chase cyclists are
merely defending their territory. When you pedal off the section of
road that they consider their turf, you no longer pose a threat to
their ancestral instincts and they lose interest. Incidentally, this
is why you'll rarely be chased by a dog you encounter way out in the
boonies. He's not on his turf so he couldn't care less about you. Know
dog tactics. Dogs want to attack from the rear, coming up from
the hindquarter. Even one who sits up in his yard ahead of you may
wait till you pass before giving chase. You can use this to your
advantage in the next tip because it gives you a head start. Sprint!
You often can outsprint Fido when he's more interested in fooling
around than in actually attacking. You can tell his intent by how hard
he's running and his expression. An easy gait with woofing and ears
and tail up, no problem. A full-out sprint with ears back, tail down
and teeth out, problem. Still, the territorial gene can save you. If
the road is flat or downhill, stand up and sprint to get past the
dog's invisible boundary. Guard
your front wheel. When a dog sees you coming, he might make a
beeline for your bike, then attempt to turn up beside you. The danger
here is that his poor little paws will skid on the pavement and he'll
plow into your wheels. If he hits the front one, you'll crash. Sprint
so that you move forward faster than he expects, and give him a margin
for error by steering farther into the road-if traffic permits! SCREAM!
Most dogs know what happens when a human is angry with them. A
sudden shout of "No!" or "Git!" or "Stay!" will surprise Fluffy and
probably make him hesitate for just the second you need to take the
advantage. If he's hard of hearing, raise your hand threateningly as
if it contains a rock. Outlaw mutts usually have had experience with
bad things flying at them when a human makes a throwing gesture. Play
douse the Doberman. If you see big, fast Prince up ahead and
know that he sees you, sprinting might not work. Especially if the
road is tilting up. Take out your water bottle. Just having it in your
hand may make him stay away. If he does come near you, give him a
faceful and a loud yell. This distraction will slow him down, though
he may come back for more. Just don't distract yourself and ride off
the road.
Some riders swear by Halt pepper spray that
they clip to their handlebar. This stuff works great-if you hit your
target. That's a big if when you and Spot are going different speeds,
the air is moving, and you're trying to stay on the road. Pepper spray
stings a dog's eyes, nose and mouth, but it doesn't cause lasting
damage. It also works on human attackers, but that's a different story.
Give up
and get off. If nothing works and Toodles has the upper hand,
dismount quickly and hold your bike between you and those sharp teeth.
Swing it like a weapon if necessary, and start calling for help.
Someone may eventually come out of a house and yell, "Oh, he won't
hurt you!" Call
the cops. If you are attacked and bitten, report it to the
county sheriff or other authority immediately. Include the location, a
description of the dog and
the owner's name and address if you know them. Get medical
attention without delay. If the dog was rabid, you are at risk of
serious illness or even death. Demand proof of rabies vaccination or
insist to authorities that the dog be quarantined. If the same dog
accosts you every time you ride the road, report this to the
authorities, too. You have a right to use public roadways free from fear
for your life, liberty and pursuit of cycling happiness. Keep following
up with calls to make sure steps are taken to put PupPup on a rope.
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