Like somebody else upthread Richard's Bicycle Book was the testament that turned me from a bike rider into an informed cyclist.
First of all the book was written 40 years ago. Like Tintin au Congo or the 1956 Rainbow annual's stuff about 'darkie land' it's anchored in the paradigm of the time. Perhaps we were less shockable in 1974. The section concerned was edited from more recent re-prints.
But having got Richard off the shelf again and re-acquainted myself this is about a few hundred words in a 300 page paperback, are they really that bad?
Pages 117-8 describe the problems of riding in the country. Traffic, flocks, cattle grids and agricultural machinery get mentions before he turns to dogs. There's then a caution that (a) they're less of a problem in England than his native US and (b) what follows may be shocking.
He goes on to say most dogs are not a problem. They respond to you stopping and facing them so you are seen as a person. But some are a problem. Not necessarily the animal's fault; the 'weapon' dog egged on by an idiot owner was a recognised issue then as now.
What follows, and what has given offence on this thread, is his description of how to deal with such a dog in extremis. Even then he says "The main thing in dealing with a vicious dog is confidence. As a human being you are one of the largest mammals on earth and a formidable contender in a fight. Suppress your fears and radiate the notion that ant dog that messes with you will regret it for the rest of his days"... "Speak to the dog in firm tones and keeping bike between it and you walk away"
He goes on to suggest Pepper spray or ammonia before describing how a dog might have to be killed.
In forty years of touring and commuting I've never got past dismount and speak firmly. But there are enough reports of nutter’s dogs in UK to be mentally prepared for the nuclear option.