Chased by dogs (warning:Long Rant)

[NMRider]

I understand that Chihuahuas are by nature the most aggressive dogs that there are. But the big ones are more worrisome.

I cycle in southern NM, and the rural areas are full of people who think nothing of allowing their dogs to roam (and spaying or neutering? fuhgettaboutit). They either don't get it or don't care. Many of these dogs are or become half wild, and in the border area with Texas there is actually a problem with roaming packs of dogs.

Not sure how it is in Pima (I think that's where Tucson is), but out in the county (Dona Ana) where I ride, there are 7 animal control officers to cover 3,300 square miles. Not a typo. If you make a call here, the officer could easily be 50 miles away. In most places, animal control is way underpaid (here it's under $10/hr to start) and understaffed (no, I'm not an AC officer. I just know what they deal with).

It's sad for the dogs and dangerous for the cyclists.