So...about dogs...

[Crankin]

In the above situation,it's not your fault the owner was irresponsible enough to let the dog out, to run wild. My DH witnessed this once, after he had stopped a dog from biting him, on his bike, it promptly ran out and got run over by a truck.
I fully admit I am not an animal lover. I'm sure my "dog thread" is somewhere in the links posted above. I caused a big issue in my neighborhood when I suggested that owners need to use leashes, and just because they are nearby does not mean that their dog will not go after a cyclist. I stopped my bike, put it between myself and the dog (on a hill!), screamed loudly, "no, go home," and the dog still was very close to me for quite awhile. The same dog chased my DH and almost killed him going down the hill 2 years later. Someone witnessed the incident, brought the dog back to its owners (our neighbors) and we got a written apology. However, not much has changed.

[Bike Chick]

We have had many, many, many issues with dogs. I love dogs but hate the owners that let them run lose. It's not the dog's fault--they are just doing what dog's do--it's the owner's fault for not keeping them on a leash or putting up an fence--real or invisible.

We had a dog issue a couple years ago that required law enforcement intervention and have a good friend that was laid up 6 months because of a busted knee from hitting a dog on her bike. I go out of my way to avoid the houses that have dogs and am hesitant to commute because of 3 houses with misbehaving dogs along my 9 mile route. I hate dogs as much or more than cars.

[kermit]

It's amazing how the nice quiet country roads have the most dogs. I have a great route around my house in Georgia. There are also several farm dogs that love the chase. I have stopped in the road and wound up making friends. This one big pit mix followed my husband and I for two miles, took a swim in the river and then ran back with us. Most of these dogs have their parameters and a good "NO or STAY" usually does the trick. There is this one little poodle mix, he's a bastard!

[zoom-zoom]

Kermit, I see FAR more loose dogs the further we get from town, too. All farm country. There are county leash laws, but I have a feeling that most farm families overlook those laws, since many of these dogs are working dogs and there aren't a lot of people coming and going near their property. Sometimes I wonder if these canines are trying to herd me.