Reply to Word of Warning

I recently rode the trail from Clinton to Hartsburg. I encountered a very unpleasant experience and would like to warn others. Between the Katy Roundhouse (which is west of New Franklin) and New Franklin, a dog ran up to me and bit my leg while I was riding my bike ON THE TRAIL. The dog lives at a house on the south side of the trail, about a couple hundred yards WEST of New Franklin. The house is a "brownish stain" color and is one story. Hopefully, this will help others to be on guard as they approach this section of the trail.

Thank you for that heads up. I was on that section of the trail 3 weeks ago and will watch for this in the future. I encountered a pack of wild dogs on the MOPAC trail (NE) last year. There was no confrontation as it turned out but I have carried pepper spray ever since. Especially recommended if one tends to ride solo.

Thanks for the heads up. I hope that you are ok and the dog didn't seriously injure you. All the same, if you haven't, you really need to report the incident to the local authorities. The only way that these people are going to learn to lock up their dogs is the hard way. Dog bits are todays big lawsuits. I am an insurance agent and we have seen a lot of money paid out to dog bite victims...most of whom deserved it. Thanks again for the heads up!

I encountered the same beast in June, and out-rode it on a road bike at 33mph. I was also accosted by two more east of Hartsburg. They had the element of total surprise. I stopped, put my bike between us, and spoke authoritatively. They decided to desist. Do what you must do to defend yourself. You have every right to terminate the animal if he's off his range.

Terminate the animal if he is off his range? Just what exactly is his "range" and how do you determine this in the heat of the moment? I think terminating the dog sounds extreme, and would be the very rare case. I know dogs that give chase are very annoying, and I too hate it, especially the surprise attacks!
I have rode past the above house numerous times, and have stayed at the Katy Roundhouse camp grounds, and have never encountered a dog. In fact, I believe the house in question is the owner of the "Roundhouse". If it was his dog, I am sure he would like to know about it. He could have been a roaming dog, as is often found in the rural areas.
Before I make all the dog haters irate, I am just trying to point out that most dogs are not out to eat every human that rides by. I have encountered roaming dogs on the trail, with no incident. These dogs are not defensive of their territory, because they are not ON their territory. The dogs you do have to watch are the ones who are laying in their yard on what appears to them as another boring day. Then, out of nowhere comes another person riding thru on that neat little path that goes thru "their" (or so they think!)yard. Well, you know every time they run after those people, they speed up and leave! In the dogs mind, what could be more fun!! It works every time!
It doesn't have to. I have schooled a couple of dogs on the rural roads I ride, with a simple blast of water from the water bottle, and yes, one of them had bit at my right foot before the education. I know this may not work with all dogs, but the ones I have done it to have stopped giving chase, and if we ALL were prepared to do the same, it would stop a lot of the chasing on the trail.
My wife is one who is frightened by every dog we encounter, so I do understand. If we all work at it, we can stop those chasers!

Does pepper spray work on dogs?

If those two dogs encountered east of Hartsburg are the same ones I'm thinking of they are pretty harmless. I've shared my lunch on several occasions with the white dog that has black spots. There's also another black dog that will run along side you for 10-15 miles around Clifton City. Not all dogs are out there to tear you up.

Here's what I carry-

http://www.tbotech.com/dog-repellent-pepper-spray.htm

I've never had to use it but have come close.

Paulie

Dogs are territorial in nature and will often give chase to escort you from their domain. Once out of what they think is their territory...the chase is over. Usually, if you play along and try to out run them.....they will continue the chase (its a game at this point for the dog who has done nothing more than take you up on your offer to play). Often times if you stop (ending the chase) so will they as they stand there with a lost look as if to wonder what to do now. If you stop and they continue toward you, get off your bike and get it between you and them. More times than not at this point a bold voice, a spray in the face from the water bottle, or other such nonterminating action will stop the aggression. I fully agree with J&K.....you are the human....school the dog instead of letting it provide the lesson. On a very basic level, the human should be smarter than the dog and should be able to win the game without termination of either species.

Riding away quickly has never worked for me because I'm a hiker. A shot of pepper spray usually sends the message. I used a small bottle of lightly diluted lemon juice once, it was very effective. I now opt for the lemon juice because I am a dog lover. Please don't be too "quick on the draw" with these dogs. You can usually tell if they mean business or are just curious. I met a dog outside of Tebbetts one day that was running a toll booth. This grayish/white mutt was laying in the middle of the trail. He would actually sit up and beg for a handout. He moved to the side and let me past once I paid the toll of a corner of a PB&J.

Good comment Doug. I have also used a dilute solution of BoPeep ammonia cleaner; usually the smell is enough to send them off. Interesting comment about the dog, I ran into a "communal" dog in September. I went out to Colorado and snowshoed a couple of 14'ers. I had a mutt trail me up Quandary Peak one Saturday. He tagged along and I shared lunch with him, 3000'+ up and then back down. Nice company.

I know the dog and the owner, the dog is owned by John James the owner and operator of the Katy Round house Cafe. He is also A city Council Member and there is a leash law in the city of New Franklin Some how he don't abide by the law

I own heavily insured dogs, Brittany Spaniels ie: face lickers. Kenneled. Dateline 9/29/07 late season, top form, the local mongrels can finally keep pace (their learned behavior is huzwah layzwah) on the quick 25 mile sprint they happened to be on the road (public)in front of me, as I correctly passed on the left they (3) moved left! CRASH!!! over the top & into the ditch, face first. The Z-87 safety glasses saved my right eye & orbit structure, but nosepiece caused 30 jagged stitches and nasal passages of mush (radiologist quote)Lucky me could be 1-blind....2-quadraplegic....3-DEAD!!!! $63,487.00 later (additional nasal reconstruction surgery -refracture 4 places) I still see the same dogs 3-4 times a week!! I know it is all my fault. Lawsuit pending. I dont blame the dogs.....can't get blood out of a turnip, right bubba!

9/29/07??? David....You might want to slow down a little. Aparently you were going so fast that you traveled forward in time. At least you should be able to avoid the crash when it comes around again this September. :)

-06...typo, gotta go, riding the whole thing 6-22-07!!!

May the trail be hard and the wind at your back.

The dog in question the owners keep a watchful eye on it at all times

My wife and I try to discourage or confuse the chasing dogs to keep us safe and them out of the paths of cars and cyclists. It is no fun to have a dog run over by a car while chasing you on a bike. When time permits we use whistles first, kind words second, and BEAR spray third. The BEAR spray usually trains them to not chase a bicycle again...ever. You can order it online from Alaskan hiking supply companies. It comes out as a fog and not a stream so be careful if there are cyclists behind you. I have had to use it three times so far on my regular cycling routes.....those dogs no longer chase me or any other cyclist.

Please note this thread is originally from 2006.

Pepper spray definitely does work on dogs. Even better, and with a much longer range, is
Ultra-Kill (wasp and hornet killer with a 20' range). I've pepper sprayed about a dozen dogs
over the years. It always works if you are close enough and accurate enough. I haven't had to
use the Ultra-Kill yet but I'm assured it is much better than the conventional pepper spray. Of
course, it's the dog owners who really need to be sprayed. If they would take a few minutes
to train their dog there would be no problem. Most (90%) dog owners are extremely
inconsiderate and selfish, and it's no good talking to them. As an ex-runner (11,700 miles)
and now hiker (15,250 miles) for over 40 years I could fill a book with dog incidents!

I must first say I to love dogs, but to those who feed the dogs. You are not helping the issue. It is like feeding the bears at Yellow Stone Park. You are enforcing this behavior in the dogs. As for pepper spray, yes it does work.