Quote Originally Posted by indysteel View Post
I totally disagree. The blame is not on the dog; it's on the dog owner. Dogs should be restrained AT ALL TIMES--either by a fence or leash. If an owner fails to restrain a dog then, yes, they should be liable for any damages that the dog causes. Yes, we take risks as cyclists, but that doesn't mean others shouldn't be held responsible for any injury we sustain. What if you're hit by a car that was driving negligently? By your logic, the motorist shouldn't be held responsible because you assumed some risk. Surely you don't agree with that.
I agree with Indy here, dogs should be restrained and it is the dog owners responsibility to see that happens - for the protection of the community but also for the protection of their pet! While this situation is different than what happened to me in that she wasn't used as a chew toy like I was, but the damage to her and her bike are a consequence of the lack of control of the animal by the owner.