Dogs Laws and What Can Be Done?!

[Batbike]

Isn't this a discussion forum? Hmmm...I thought in discussion forums people were allowed to express various viewpoints as long as they are politely worded.

The discussion is in FULL swing and everyone is being polite, civil, and stressing their point of view. Sure, some points are more emotional than others … we’re women aren’t we?!

As a woman, I can appreciate other points of view until I feel someone has crossed the line, adding insult to injury. In this case, I am injured and I feel it is very insulting to imply that an automobile and a bicycle are equal in defining accidental fault. I feel that the person who implied this preposterous perspective was trying to say that we as cyclists are at fault if we hit an attacking out-of-control animal, thus I was at fault for hitting a dog that ran into me and into my direct line of travel. Fact is, a cyclist is vulnerable to the environment in which they ride; automobiles are much more protected. However, if we are to use the automobile example, this is like saying that the deer that leaped across the road and landed on a car’s roof was the fault of the driver. Maybe the fault would be equal in this case (both a victim of an uncontrolled animal), but the injuries, property damages, and legal ramifications would be significantly different.

I am the OP. Obviously; this is a very personal, emotional, and frustrating situation for me. I wrote the OP to ask for advice, support, and a sharing of experiences. Dogs are a universal problem for cyclist! It NEVER occurred to me that a fellow cyclist would find fault in the situation and put blame on a cyclist. It is an opinion, but I will actively discuss the point and stress my distress for their perspective.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The discussion is in FULL swing and everyone is being polite, civil, and stressing their point of view....
....It NEVER occurred to me that a fellow cyclist would find fault in the situation and put blame on a cyclist.

I don't see those two statements as being the case here. Just my opinion.
But hey, I understand your being upset about the dog. It certainly WASN'T your fault, and I think everyone here agrees with that fact. I get livid when loose dogs come terrorizing me on my bike. I sincerely hope your situation gets a decent resolution.

[Mr. Bloom]

Bat,

I'm sorry you're mad and upset.

I truly wish you a quick recovery and a fast and easy resolution to your dispute with the dog owners.

Back to your core issue: If there was clarity provided in the law, this would be less frustrating and confusing.

I encourage you to get actively involved in fixing the law. Last September, Silver was with a rider who was struck and killed by a car. She has since started a "Share the Road" campaign that is building momentum and next week, the first signs are being installed. She feels good about it...and she's doing a good thing for everyone. I bet you can do the same thing raising awareness of leash laws