Sodding dogs!!

[guitarpete247]

Too many dog owners believe their dogs will never do anything to hurt anyone. "He won't hurt you". Maybe not on purpose but you may get hurt because of what the dog does.

My sister was chased into the road in front of a bus, when she was four, and killed. She was afraid of dogs and a stupid owner had allowed it to wander the streets. Owner was never found, dog ran off.

Last summer we were walking with granddaughters along Dovedale. The girls had gone off the path up a ledge about 6ft above the path. Dog started to go up to them, curious no doubt, but girls got nervous and as this was a section that should have been on leads. We suggested that he put the dog on lead but owner just laughed at us. He knew his dog!
Girls didnt!

 

[gavroche]

Looking at forums where dog owners have put comments on their main comment seems to be that they are surprised by cyclists what approach them silently and without a warning bell. An example here . http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_be...hs-should-make-sure-they-dont-run-up-to-bikes

In my case, I was riding TOWARDS her, so no excuse for not calling her dogs back.

 

[Mrs M]

Too many dog owners believe their dogs will never do anything to hurt anyone. "He won't hurt you". Maybe not on purpose but you may get hurt because of what the dog does.

My sister was chased into the road in front of a bus, when she was four, and killed. She was afraid of dogs and a stupid owner had allowed it to wander the streets. Owner was never found, dog ran off.

Last summer we were walking with granddaughters along Dovedale. The girls had gone off the path up a ledge about 6ft above the path. Dog started to go up to them, curious no doubt, but girls got nervous and as this was a section that should have been on leads. We suggested that he put the dog on lead but owner just laughed at us. He knew his dog!
Girls didnt!

Sorry to hear about your sister.

 

[graham bowers]

I'm hated by many, maybe even the OP after this:

I own many bicycles and ride them
I own a dog, walk with him, and restrain him appropriately.
I own and drive a car
I own and ride several motorcycles
I fly a quadcopter (mostly inaccurately dubbed a "drone" by the "popular press".
I could go on.

But I find I can meander through life mainly unharmed..........

To the OP, it seems you have encountered one of the many socially challenged dog owners of the population, and I have met many***, but I ask you to consider the unpredictable nature of some of the potential hazards we may encounter as cyclists, and how we should best protect ourselves. Slowing down to a crawl to pass loose animals to mitigate bad stuff happening, for instance? OK, they should have been under control, but it was your choice to pass at the speed you did. Learn and move on.

*** Mainly attacks from other dogs whilst walking mine. I can usually get out of the way, but have resorted to putting the boot in, a well aimed half a brick, or beating with a stick. The owners don't tend to like it though ;-))

 

[NCFC-Biker]

It's the dog owners that are the problem. I find irresponsible owners all the time when out walking my dog. Some owners seem to have no common sense at all.

 

[midliferider]

I gave up commuting to work mainly because of dogs on the cycle path.
A year ago, I had a similar accident when a dog ran across the path, I braked, went over the handlebar, broke two front teeth and needed stitching the lip etc. Dog owner did not even asked me how I am. She just cuddled the dog and stood on the side while I was bleeding.

In the night, the path is dark and you suddenly find a dog across the road and has had many near accidents.
Finally I gave up cycling to work. Hopefully will resume in summer when there is still daylight when I return home in the evening.

The trouble is that as we are a nation of dog lovers, it is almost impossible to speak against dog owners who does not keep their dogs on a lead.

 

[Steve Malkin]

It's a shared use path - animals and small children don't behave in predictable ways however much you'd like them to so always be mindful and travel at a speed which will allow you to stop safely if needed. If that's too slow for you then take your chances on the road instead.
All part of life's rich tapestry, learn from it and move on.

 

[Tin Pot]

Dogs are to be used for herding and hunting. I'm not a fan of animals as pets.

 

[Mrs M]

I gave up commuting to work mainly because of dogs on the cycle path.
A year ago, I had a similar accident when a dog ran across the path, I braked, went over the handlebar, broke two front teeth and needed stitching the lip etc. Dog owner did not even asked me how I am. She just cuddled the dog and stood on the side while I was bleeding.

In the night, the path is dark and you suddenly find a dog across the road and has had many near accidents.
Finally I gave up cycling to work. Hopefully will resume in summer when there is still daylight when I return home in the evening.

The trouble is that as we are a nation of dog lovers, it is almost impossible to speak against dog owners who does not keep their dogs on a lead.

Trouble on the shared path I frequent are dogs on a 15 foot lead, almost like a trip wire.
I always slow right down, sometimes stop when there's a dog passing, usually say hello to dog and owner (in that order)
Most are fine enough, if I predict "an idiot ahead" I just go on the road to pass them by.
No point stressing, just avoid and carry on.

 

[midliferider]

It's a shared use path - animals and small children don't behave in predictable ways however much you'd like them to so always be mindful and travel at a speed which will allow you to stop safely if needed. If that's too slow for you then take your chances on the road instead.
All part of life's rich tapestry, learn from it and move on.

Yes, I did. That is why I gave up cycling on that path.
I did not feel safe to cycle at night when a dog jump at me from nowhere in the dark.

 

[Hip Priest]

I've used a busy shared path twice a day for over 4 years and I've never had a problem with dogs. I just ride slowly and prepare to stop. That's the nature of shared paths It makes me cringe when I see cyclists bombing along on shared paths.

 

[phil-b]

I do try to remind myself that if I am hurt whist riding my bike on a pathway or a road it will not matter if was not my fault and it will not matter someone else behaved stupidly because I still will be hurt. So I just try my best to protect myself

 

[alecstilleyedye]

i fews years ago i was riding to work when, whilst going over a wooden bridge over the local bypass, saw a woman with a child, small dog on a lead and a dobermann pinscher that was free to roam. as i cycled slowly past, the dobermann bit me on the arse! the woman was apologetic and said "he's never done that before". i looked at the little boy she had with her, and remarked that "well he has now". the woman went very pale in the face… i had to have a jab for tetanus

 

[Drago]

Was the dog ok?















Sorry, couldn't resist

 

[rovers1875]

I'm hated by many, maybe even the OP after this:
I own many bicycles and ride them
I own a dog, walk with him, and restrain him appropriately.
I own and drive a car
I own and ride several motorcycles
I fly a quadcopter (mostly inaccurately dubbed a "drone" by the "popular press".
I could go on.
But I find I can meander through life mainly unharmed..........


At last a voice of reason (apart from the quadcopter bit), I too own dogs, and one loves to run next to bikes (doesn't bite or bark just seems to like to prove she is faster) If I see a cyclist coming I always pull the dogs in, But often bikes sneak up and catch me unaware, just have a bit of patience / courtesy and slow right down. The world has more than enough impatient numb nuts (that would include car drivers / cyclists / dog walkers / and pedestrians) just slow up, stop if necessary, life is to short to get wound up over things you have no control over (PS hope you and the bike are ok