This past week I was out for a bike ride and 1/4 mile from my house a big black dog charged me from the left side. The people that own this mutt also have another big dog and they are always tied out in their front yard. When anyone walks or rides a bike by the property they bark, growl and struggle to free themselves. They are restrained not with chains but with rope which doesn't seem like a good idea to me. I should add that this is a rural setting and the house is located across from the elementary school.
When this incident occurred I was riding home and the dog jumped out of the bushes trailing the rope, snarling and snapping within a few inches of my left foot. I yelled, 'GO HOME!" which made him back off but he came after me again and when I repeated the order, he finally stopped chasing me. I was a bit shaken by this and I think it was fortunate I was going about 18-20 MPH at the time because if I was going slower or walking I might have been in a very unpleasant situation.
Has something like this ever happened to anyone here and how did you handle it? I have my CCL and was carrying a Ruger LCR in my pocket while I have no desire to shoot any one's dog, I would if the attack had gotten serious. A lot of things go through my mind like the close proximity to a schoolyard and ball field as well as the idea that it's not entirely his fault that he has idiots for owners. He and I would never have been in this situation if he was properly leashed. I can't figure out why people have pets and leave them tied out all day
I did call the animal control officer and reported the incident and since then the dogs have not been tied out but I can hear them barking from inside an out building. Thankfully it did not get out of hand but I wonder what would be the best way to deal with it if the dog had not backed off. Should I keep riding? Dismount and put my bike between me and the the dog if possible while pulling out my handgun? I don't think it would be a good idea for me to fire at him while still riding because just seems too reckless to me. What do you think?
When this incident occurred I was riding home and the dog jumped out of the bushes trailing the rope, snarling and snapping within a few inches of my left foot. I yelled, 'GO HOME!" which made him back off but he came after me again and when I repeated the order, he finally stopped chasing me. I was a bit shaken by this and I think it was fortunate I was going about 18-20 MPH at the time because if I was going slower or walking I might have been in a very unpleasant situation.
Has something like this ever happened to anyone here and how did you handle it? I have my CCL and was carrying a Ruger LCR in my pocket while I have no desire to shoot any one's dog, I would if the attack had gotten serious. A lot of things go through my mind like the close proximity to a schoolyard and ball field as well as the idea that it's not entirely his fault that he has idiots for owners. He and I would never have been in this situation if he was properly leashed. I can't figure out why people have pets and leave them tied out all day
I did call the animal control officer and reported the incident and since then the dogs have not been tied out but I can hear them barking from inside an out building. Thankfully it did not get out of hand but I wonder what would be the best way to deal with it if the dog had not backed off. Should I keep riding? Dismount and put my bike between me and the the dog if possible while pulling out my handgun? I don't think it would be a good idea for me to fire at him while still riding because just seems too reckless to me. What do you think?