Our county does have a leash law. Unfortunately, we live in a very rural area, and most folks assume it's their right to let their dogs roam the countryside. They're the same people who will stand on the porch and yell, "It's okay, Satan doesn't bite!" as their mutt chases you down the road. They don't understand that it's not the teeth issue I'm worried about; it's the canine tangling with my front wheel that scares me. (It's an inverse proportion thing too -- the smaller the dog, the more likely it is to skitter across the road directly in front of me. The larger the dog the more likely it is that it just wants something to follow for exercise.) A firm, "No!" or two will generally stop the advance, but for those dogs who are more persistent I will resort to Halt pepper spray as soon as they cross the property line onto the road.

Don't get me wrong -- I have nothing against dogs. We own two and have gone to a good deal of expense to fence a large portion of our property so they are contained. It infuriates me when irresponsible owners in the area allow their dogs (which have never been to the vet and which do not have rabies shots) to run free, spreading who knows what manner of disease and parasites. Keep 'em off my property, and keep 'em from chasing me, and we'll all be happy.

A bit of drift, plus a bit of rant...