Newbie here - ideas, please!

[GenB]

It was quite clear that the dogs meant to get me off my bike and do alot of damage. I agree - the water bottle/strong words definitely would not have worked in this instance.

I did get a bottle of pepper spray and am told by a friend who rides that it was very effective on a very aggressive pit bull he encountered a couple of times. I have also chosen another route to work. The dogs supposedly (according to animal control) have been confiscated and will be put down because they actually bit (mauled) another rider earlier in the year. They also went after a child while I was speaking to animal control after my incident.

I know the people who had these dogs will just find more, so pit bulls will always be a problem in this particular block. I am horrifically worried about the kids that get off the bus in that neighborhood, though. THis city is very slow to act about this kind of thing and these people are going to cause a child to be maimed or worse. I have to appear in court sometime in August over this matter - maybe I can get something done then. Till then, I'll never be without my pepper spray.

[Kris]

Well, I'm way late with my comment, but I wanted to thank you for the dog repellent recommendation. I ride with my blue heeler on a Walkydog (spring thingy attached to the seatpost). The only thing that really scares me is loose dogs. Fortunately there have only been a few, and they weren't serious about catching us, but I'm going to get some of this stuff, just in case. I like the idea of a concentrated stream. Then hopefully I could avoid hitting my own dog.

My son has a pit bull. It's about the sweetest dog I've known, and no danger to a person at all, but he doesn't like strange dogs much.

And what's "animal control" for if not to control animals that are attacking people and pets? They need to get on the ball.

[bikerchic]

I did find out yesterday that the dogs have been taken in to be destroyed - turns out they attacked a biker in a neighboring suburb when the owners lived there and did some pretty serious damage. Not sure why that county chose to ignore the situation.

My sister and I had a simular situation with a pit bull and it took us and two other people to be terriorized by this dog before Animal Control finally did anything about it. Well actually they did request the owners restrain the dog better, when that didn't work, they had them build a dog run, when that didn't work and two more people were attacked one being a jogger with his baby on his back finally Animal Control came out and took the dog away from the owner.

We were told that the County will try almost everything to keep from destroying the animal, which lead me to believe people aren't as important!!

Anyway one of the things I carry with me in my jersery pocket ever since has been mace. So far I've never had to use it and I'm wondering if it's any good gosh it's been years I've carried that stuff with me!

Anyone know if it goes bad or escapes the container, you know evaporates? Maybe it's time for a new one?

All that said I hardly doubt I could think clearly when under attack to get the darn stuff out of my pocket, turn the cap the right way and aim it at the dog before I got eaten alive! Grrrrrr!

[Kris]

All that said I hardly doubt I could think clearly when under attack to get the darn stuff out of my pocket, turn the cap the right way and aim it at the dog before I got eaten alive! Grrrrrr![/QUOTE]>>>>

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Yeah, I've heard of people shooting themselves in the face. That wouldn't be good.

Kris

[lo123]

Anyone know if it goes bad or escapes the container, you know evaporates? Maybe it's time for a new one?

All that said I hardly doubt I could think clearly when under attack to get the darn stuff out of my pocket, turn the cap the right way and aim it at the dog before I got eaten alive! Grrrrrr!

I'm pretty sure the stuff lasts a LONG time. I've got a can that's ~10 years old. I tested it recently, and it's still working.

To avoid spraying yourself, I'd suggest getting one of the runner/cyclist specific designs. It's what I have. It has a safety that's super easy to use on the bike (just slide your thumb under the plastic "hood"). IF you spray yourself with it, then you're really talented

The one I have (it's the exact model found here) has a clip, so I clip it on to my shorts, and the safety is as described above. I found it at Academy.

[bikerchic]

lo123 that is great to know and thanks for the link I will check it out. Also I do think I will try mine out to see if it at least sprays still.

[Geonz]

I'm pretty sure the stuff lasts a LONG time. I've got a can that's ~10 years old. I tested it recently, and it's still working.

To avoid spraying yourself, I'd suggest getting one of the runner/cyclist specific designs. It's what I have. It has a safety that's super easy to use on the bike (just slide your thumb under the plastic "hood"). IF you spray yourself with it, then you're really talented

The one I have (it's the exact model found here) has a clip, so I clip it on to my shorts, and the safety is as described above. I found it at Academy.

There's a story in my bike club told of the time the group went into a buffet and somebody accidentally sat on their spray. It released enough to make people notice, but they did their very best not to draw attention to themselves... except that in figuring it out one of the guys got some of it on his fingers , no problem to wipe down but he touched his lip and realized that welp, water hadn't *really* gotten it off... so they figured something oil-based would work so they got those nasty jello deserts with teh fake whipped white stuff on it and he smeared that where it hurt and they told the staff (who were doing their best to ventilate the area) that he was "a messy eater."

So be careful with the stuff I grew some peppers last year that were that potent...