Author Topic: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog  (Read 13462 times)

MidwestGal

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 115
Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« on: June 05, 2014, 09:20:38 AM »
I was mere blocks away from home, headed to a volunteer activity.  I'd stopped for a red light, and just as I unclicked from my pedal a (leashed) dog came rushing over and bit me hard enough to draw blood and cause me to stagger.  The leash was retractable and the owner had turned away for a second to press the 'walk' button.  The dog covered a distance of roughly 10 feet and it happened so fast and hurt so badly, I had no words.  Just clenching teeth and trying not to cry or curse.  She did ask if I was OK, apologizing profusely and all I could think to say (in a civil manner) was "watch your dog better".  The light turned green and I attempted to keep going, but just the act of crossing the intersection made me realize how badly I had been bitten and I had to stop again or risk falling close to traffic.

That was a bad decision.  In the adrenaline rush I had neglected to take the owner's information, and they were last seen heading back the same way they had come.  Her original intent had been to cross the street in front of me.  I sent my family (directly behind me in a car, we were headed the same place) to find her but she was gone extremely quickly.  My family does recall the dog having a 'choke' collar, which makes me wonder if this behavior has happened before.  I love dogs, but sometimes owners can be neglectful.  I remember her saying to her dog, "why did you do that?  Why did you do that?"

Since they disappeared so fast I'm pretty sure that the owner is a neighbor of mine.  I did call the authorities at the scene to report the incident, and declined an ambulance but was driven to the ER by my spouse.  The police and humane society are in search of the woman and the dog and have all the pertinent information I could remember at the scene but I'm beating myself up for not calling IMMEDIATELY and attempting to keep the owner present.  At the time I was running on adrenaline and my only thought was PAIN!  What worries me is that as an unknown dog I have no idea whether the shots are current, but the incidence of rabies is extremely low in the local area.  I'm angry at the whole situation and have to be wheeled around in my rolly chair at work.  It's good for a momentary giggle, but the pain isn't funny at all and I hate the way narcotics make me feel.  I do have a driver for safety reasons, and the bite happened on my driving leg anyway.

jpo

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 518
  • Age: 38
  • Location: North Carolina
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #1 on: June 05, 2014, 09:34:19 AM »
This is why I don't use a flexible leash.

Are you getting the rabies shots since they can't keep the dog for observation? I've heard those shots are not fun at all.

GuitarStv

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 24731
  • Age: 43
  • Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #2 on: June 05, 2014, 09:38:33 AM »
You should keep a close eye on that bite.  I ended up with a case of blood poisoning within 24 hrs of a pretty small (but deep) dog bite on my finger that I had cleaned well with antiseptic.  Ended up in the ER and then on an IV for a week, and lost about 20 lbs.
« Last Edit: June 05, 2014, 09:41:06 AM by GuitarStv »

JoyBlogette

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 241
  • Location: Canada
    • My Journal
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2014, 09:41:56 AM »
Oh no!  That's awful.
 
This is why I don't use a flexible leash.
Me too.  It's much harder to control them in urban areas, my biggest fear is children running up to our dog and scaring him into biting.
 
Are you getting the rabies shots since they can't keep the dog for observation? I've heard those shots are not fun at all.
I would be worried about this too.  Hopefully they can track down the dog.

Ottawa

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1034
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2014, 09:43:07 AM »
Holy Crap!  I'm glad you are OK.  Most people don't make clear decisions in distress!  I know the feeling well and you can't beat yourself up over it. 

This is unfortunately a common situation - a dog either not on a leash, or an inattentive owner with leash.  With the dog on leash I ring my bell (bike paths) to make sure they know I'm coming and they are always good about reeling the thing in.  However, your situation was pretty much out of the blue. 

The worst are dogs not on leashes!  I've had those damn things chase me and it is no fun.  I have an air zound horn that works for scaring dogs, scaring cars and alerting earphone-wearing people that don't hear my bell. 

MidwestGal

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 115
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2014, 09:47:01 AM »
JPO-The ER midlevel left it up to me, and insisted that the occurrence of rabies in the local area is very small.  I also heard that it's not pleasant, and am currently trying to figure out if my mediocre insurance will cover it in case I decide to do it.  I'm hopeful that the humane society will track the dog down, evidently they're pretty good at doing that around here.

Thanks GuitarStv, I am currently taking antibiotics.  Hurts like a b**** though, I've never been bitten before.

As a sidenote, this happened at an intersection that we frequent as a family, and that is directly on my child's school route.  It reminded me to go over safety info as soon as we can.  We bike through there together all the time so I'm damn glad it was me and not my family.

Ottawa-That's a good tip about the bell and airhorn (genius!).  I consulted the police about pepper spray, and they warned that I would get as much as a dog.  Also that I wouldn't get to it in time.
« Last Edit: June 05, 2014, 09:56:39 AM by MidwestGal »

San

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 42
  • Age: 42
  • Location: Long Island, NY
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #6 on: June 05, 2014, 09:49:37 AM »
I think an airhorn is a fabulous idea. In my area I'm finding that the drivers are, as a whole, pretty good with bikers, but folks walking their dogs don't seem to know how to handle it.

I hope you are feeling okay soon and that they track down this lady. I'm a dog lover (we have two), but they MUST be controlled while out and about, and if they aren't, that's a huge problem for everyone involved.

rocksinmyhead

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1489
  • Location: Oklahoma
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #7 on: June 05, 2014, 09:50:24 AM »
oh no!!!! that is horrible. what a relief your kids weren't with you, but still! hope it starts feeling better soon!

speaking as a dog owner, dog lover, and basically crazy dog person that brings the dog everywhere... those retractable leashes are the fucking devil's work. I almost wish they were illegal. SO misused.

also, airhorn/bell is an awesome idea. we walk/run with our dog on the bike path a lot and I hate ninja bikers that sneak up on you!

Ottawa

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1034
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #8 on: June 05, 2014, 09:53:56 AM »
I think an airhorn is a fabulous idea. In my area I'm finding that the drivers are, as a whole, pretty good with bikers, but folks walking their dogs don't seem to know how to handle it.

This is what I have.  A single charge using a bicycle pump lasts me months!!  It is very loud >100dB

http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Airzound-Bike-Horn-colors/dp/B000ACAMJC


PindyStache

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 241
  • Location: Minneapolis
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #9 on: June 05, 2014, 10:01:20 AM »
Sorry to hear! You should have rolly chair races at your office to make it fun (and maybe take your mind off the pain).

I've been bitten before (my own dog, my own stupidity), and remember trying to just wrap my hand to stop the bleeding and go to sleep. Not a good call, luckily my mom heard the commotion and took me to the ER. I can relate to poor decision making in such an instance!

Just curious--where were you in relation to the dog walker (i.e. on the road, in bike lane, on shared pedestrian/cyclist path)?

Tami1982

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1184
    • Disabled Girl on Fire
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #10 on: June 05, 2014, 10:03:04 AM »
Flexi's are HORRIBLE.  They are dangers to everyone, including the user.  If the dog pulls hard enough, the internal mechanisms have snapped and whipped back, blinding people.  In addition, putting a choke on a flexi??  OMG PEOPLE.  SERIOUSLY?  A flexi requires constant pressure to work - in essence it teaches your dog to pull, plus now it's being choked while doing the walking.  The only thing worse is a prong collar + flexi.  Just terrible.

I'm sorry that an irresponsible individual has caused you pain.   I hope you heal up well and figure out who they are.  I never worried about dogs before, and then I started biking last year and was shocked at how many dogs find that bikes kick up their prey drive.  I do carry an air horn as  well and it has been very effective.  I don't wait for them to get super close either.  Sometimes people get upset if their dog is startled or scared by it, but if that means they don't chase another person it's good for everyone's health. 

MidwestGal

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 115
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #11 on: June 05, 2014, 10:19:37 AM »
Ottawa-those Zounds things I've heard of, but never took a close look.  That just may be worth the dough, thanks!

I really appreciate all the well-wishes.  What also irks me is that I can't bike at the moment and my first bike race is at the end of summer.  I just found out that a friend wants me to sign up for a scavenger dash at the end of this month.  Hopefully this doesn't interfere too much with training!  It does make me thankful that we have vehicles (and loving family) in times like this though, as even the bus stops would be terrible to get to in my current state.

Pindy-I was on the south side of the intersection headed north, just stopping for the red light.  The owner and her dog were on the southeast corner sidewalk roughly 10 feet to my right and maybe a foot or two forward.  I was surprised at how much ground was covered so quickly, especially because there was no warning (barking, growling).

Tami-I'd honestly never heard them called flexi's until this conversation!  I see why they aren't terribly safe, especially if the user is inattentive.  The woman did say that my bike probably scared her dog, I disagree and think it's the prey drive you speak of.  It really is eye-opening being on a bike compared to my former auto commutes.  The world seems so much closer in a saddle.

My fear is that while biking to work either my spouse or I would be hit by a car.  According to our humane society, dog vs. biker is more common than I thought around here!

TreeTired

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 455
  • Age: 140
  • Location: North Carolina
  • I think we can make it (We made it!)
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #12 on: June 05, 2014, 10:27:11 AM »
wow!  Seems like there have been a lot of bike problem threads recently...  hit by cars,  yelled at by passerbys,  now dog bite.  That really sucks, and it sounds so avoidable (control your dog, lady!).    I am a little skeptical about the air horn.  What if it doesn't work and the dog bites you?  Then the dog owner will say you antagonized the dog and it was your fault.  Good old Fido would never have bit you if you hadn't scared the crap out of him first. 

TrMama

  • Guest
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #13 on: June 05, 2014, 10:36:41 AM »
Ugh, I'm so sorry. That sounds really crappy.

I can also sympathize with not reacting in the moment the way you wish you had. Did you even see the dog coming? I'm not sure there was really all that much you could have done to prevent it. If a dog rushed at me like that I'd probably have assumed he was coming to say hello. The best, and easiest, reaction is probably to try to put your bike between you and the dog and use it as a shield.

I was threatened by a crazy person last week, and I've opted to get a helmet cam. A poster here uses one and claims it helps keep the crazies away. If that doesn't work, you'll at least have footage of the incident so you can forward it to the police. I also put a personal alarm on the strap of my messenger bag. With one tug of the chain, it emits an incredibly loud sound of a woman screaming. It's similar to the air horn idea. Plus, I have a frame pump that pressure fits into the frame of my bike. Doubles as a stick for fending off crazy people and dogs.

As for tracking this woman down, can you try calling all the vet clinics in the area? Or see if the police will do that? Hopefully, the dog has been in for shots at some point.

Bookworm

  • Guest
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #14 on: June 05, 2014, 11:29:41 AM »
I'm so sorry.  I hope they gave you antibiotics for that bite.  My daughter suffered a serious dog attack in 2004, and came home from the emergency room with eleven separate wounds (nineteen stitches) and NO prescription for antibiotics.  Within a few days, she spiked a fever in the middle of the night and I found myself setting my alarm for every hour so I could keep checking on her until my grandma could drive down to take care of the other kids so I could take her to another hospital (husband was deployed at the time).  Infection had set in, in the largest wound in particular.  The doctor at the second hospital could not understand why she hadn't been given prophylactic antibiotics for an animal bite.  The wound that was most infected left a much worse scar than the others, as well.  She is 14 now (4 at the time of the attack), and even with all the growing in between, there's still a dent or depression underneath that scar.

MidwestGal

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 115
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #15 on: June 05, 2014, 11:52:06 AM »
I picture the air horn being a precautionary measure, mostly using it ahead of a potentially dangerous situation as sort of a louder bell.  Of course, it could be used to scare someone/something off in a bad situation too.  I'd plan to do it well enough in advance that an owner could reel the dog in beforehand.

Helmet cams are a great idea, it was discussed in another bicycle thread here.  I have an eye on the Fly6 which is a rear light and hidden cam combo but it's expensive.  And to my knowledge helmet cams only face forward so I'd like to see more ground covered as well.

Bookworm-Oh jeez that's terrible for a 10 year old to go through!  I'm glad she turned out all right, even if she has a few extra dents.  They didn't stitch me up because the staff was afraid of an infection re-opening anyway.  Yes I am on antibiotics.

cpa cat

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1741
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #16 on: June 05, 2014, 11:54:58 AM »
Eug! Horrible. I used to walk laboratory dogs for a living and they got pretty rowdy sometimes. The problem with dog bites is that they may not break the skin, but they do some serious bruising/muscle damage and hurt like hell. Then they take forever to heal.

And ignorant people who have never been bitten will look at you and think, "Oh well, it's not so bad, they aren't bleeding a lot!" They don't realize that the kind of muscle damage caused by a dog bite can take weeks to heal and causes intense pain.

Make sure you take photos and keep records so that if you see her again, you can get her info and take her to small claims.

*shudder* It's been almost 15 years since I was last bitten by a dog, and it still makes me cringe to think of the pain.

You could always post a flier or two in the area that says: "Looking for the Lady with the little white dog who had an encounter with a cyclist on 6/4/14. Description of lady and dog. If you are her or know her, please contact me at XXX-XXX-XXXX." And see if anyone calls.
« Last Edit: June 05, 2014, 11:58:28 AM by Cpa Cat »

rocksinmyhead

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1489
  • Location: Oklahoma
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #17 on: June 05, 2014, 12:33:11 PM »
Flexi's are HORRIBLE.  They are dangers to everyone, including the user.  If the dog pulls hard enough, the internal mechanisms have snapped and whipped back, blinding people.  In addition, putting a choke on a flexi??  OMG PEOPLE.  SERIOUSLY?  A flexi requires constant pressure to work - in essence it teaches your dog to pull, plus now it's being choked while doing the walking.  The only thing worse is a prong collar + flexi.  Just terrible.

yeah my first thought when I see something like that is "steer clear, careless dog owner who has no idea what they're doing coming through" :(

I'm sorry that an irresponsible individual has caused you pain.   I hope you heal up well and figure out who they are.  I never worried about dogs before, and then I started biking last year and was shocked at how many dogs find that bikes kick up their prey drive.

interesting... our dog doesn't have an issue with bikes but can get pretty wound up by skateboards/scooters/rollerblades. I didn't realize it was a prey thing but that makes sense. he is part husky and the prey drive is strong with this one :)

fallstoclimb

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1090
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #18 on: June 05, 2014, 01:07:18 PM »
Those retractable leashes are the WORST.

Don't beat yourself up too much about not getting the info immediately.  The exact same thing happened to my husband this fall.  He was biking in a multi user path, a leashed Golden Retreiver leapt up and bit him on the arm, he managed to keep his bike upright and in the adrenaline rush just kept going, shouting back at the owner to watch their dog.  When he got home I was the one to point out he needed the info, and we rushed back to the path and miraculously found them.

I wouldn't worry about the rabies.  The odds of a domestic dog having rabies has to be so so so low. 

I hope you heal quickly!! 

GuitarStv

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 24731
  • Age: 43
  • Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #19 on: June 05, 2014, 01:27:48 PM »
I really like to use retractable leashes.  They appear to have a pretty bad rep in this thread . . . but the one I use has a lock that I use most of the time while walking on the sidewalk so it behaves like a normal leash.  In the woods where our beagle always wants to wander off it lets her sniff about without getting lost.  The one that I have does not require significant pulling force to unwind at all.

The stupid dog owner was at fault for this incident, not the type of leash used.

jordanread

  • Guest
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #20 on: June 05, 2014, 01:44:02 PM »
I really like to use retractable leashes.  They appear to have a pretty bad rep in this thread . . . but the one I use has a lock that I use most of the time while walking on the sidewalk so it behaves like a normal leash.  In the woods where our beagle always wants to wander off it lets her sniff about without getting lost.  The one that I have does not require significant pulling force to unwind at all.

The stupid dog owner was at fault for this incident, not the type of leash used.

The retractable leashes have their place, and their use (if one so desires). However, training or controlling a dog is not one of those uses. You seem to have the right idea about how to use it. If you want to give your dog a bit of freedom, they are smaller(ish), or leashes are required, they are nice. However, they are almost more symbolic than anything else (in my experience). That's not really a big problem for dogs that just have a tendency to wander off, but it's not designed to be able to really control a dog.

OP, sorry that happened. Make sure you jump back on that horse (bike) once you recover.

I've been bit before, but never while on a bike (usually while working with dogs at rescues). I have been chased down a couple times, and even had a dog jump on me while riding once. I was able to avoid getting bit, and I've found that getting far enough ahead to dismount and face the dog usually prevents the situation from escalating, but not sure that applies here.

As far as the air horn goes...I'd probably forget how loud it was and crap myself, jump, fall over, etc. Although, what dog wants to attack someone who just did that? :-)

fallstoclimb

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1090
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #21 on: June 05, 2014, 01:55:48 PM »
The issue I have with those retractable leashes is no one else knows if its on lock or not.  So if I'm biking on a MUP I don't know if I'm able to safely pass someone walking a dog on one of those (with proper warning, of course), or if I'm about to announce that I'm passing, start to pass, and then get tripped up in the darn leash as the dog darts one way or another.

Argyle

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 904
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #22 on: June 05, 2014, 01:59:47 PM »
The dog owner probably walks her dog on that same route every day, so I'd imagine a few days of showing up around the right time would let you find her.  And don't let her off the hook.  What happened is unconscionable.

MidwestGal

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 115
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #23 on: June 05, 2014, 02:42:45 PM »
The issue I have with those retractable leashes is no one else knows if its on lock or not.  So if I'm biking on a MUP...then get tripped up in the darn leash as the dog darts one way or another.

I've had that happen too many times to count.  We used a retractable or 'flexi' for my childhood dog, but he was less than 15 pounds and we watched the area around us with eagle eyes to make sure he was controlled at all times.

The dog owner probably walks her dog on that same route every day, so I'd imagine a few days of showing up around the right time would let you find her.  And don't let her off the hook.  What happened is unconscionable.

I was thinking that exact same thing, she probably gets home from work and takes doggy for a walk every day.  I'm angry at the situation, but more disappointed in her as a pet owner.  It would be great to have a conversation with her, and maybe point her to some educational stuff on controlling pets.  I'd rather her come away from this with more knowledge and understanding vs. a strong dislike toward bicyclists.  I looked up the local laws and don't live in a one bite state, but provided we do find them, there may be steps that have to be taken to ensure the dog is safe in public for several months.

Also, between you (MidwestGal) and William I'm starting to think I don't want to bike in Nebraska

LOL, my portion of the midwest has historically been less than friendly to people-powered two wheelers.  Blame it on the big 'ol trucks, the wide roads that make it easier to ignore others nearby, maybe lack of driver education?  But the group of bikers here are becoming more vocal, and we add more marked trails here as time goes by.

rocksinmyhead

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1489
  • Location: Oklahoma
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #24 on: June 05, 2014, 03:10:56 PM »
I really like to use retractable leashes.  They appear to have a pretty bad rep in this thread . . . but the one I use has a lock that I use most of the time while walking on the sidewalk so it behaves like a normal leash.  In the woods where our beagle always wants to wander off it lets her sniff about without getting lost.  The one that I have does not require significant pulling force to unwind at all.

The stupid dog owner was at fault for this incident, not the type of leash used.

Thank you! I was starting to feel like the only one. We've used retractable leashes for years with zero problems. But we are very attentive to our dogs and reel them in and lock them down when there's traffic or people nearby (we live in a small town with very little of either). Neither of them are remotely aggressive and have never bitten anyone but since they're big we understand that not everyone wants them running up to them. This was definitely the result of a bad owner not poor equipment.

definitely agree, I guess I just tend to associate those leashes with bad/inattentive owners in my mind because I've seen it A LOT. and/or because they can make the owner's inattentiveness more... obvious. :)

Also, between you (MidwestGal) and William I'm starting to think I don't want to bike in Nebraska

LOL! so true! at least it would be flat...?

Argyle

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 904
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #25 on: June 05, 2014, 04:19:37 PM »
They say in Iowa that if you stand on a phone book, you can see the whole state.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled dog-bite thread.

2527

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 483
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #26 on: June 05, 2014, 07:04:45 PM »
Sue the owner.

Tami1982

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1184
    • Disabled Girl on Fire
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #27 on: June 05, 2014, 09:06:21 PM »

definitely agree, I guess I just tend to associate those leashes with bad/inattentive owners in my mind because I've seen it A LOT. and/or because they can make the owner's inattentiveness more... obvious. :)


I did come off harshly with them, but I too, see so many people use them inappropriately, but that comes with working in the pet industry.  I'm exposed to more pet owners than most and by the percentages I see them used incorrectly.  I have met people who have been injured by them though, and have had dogs turn, snap, and bite the leash in half with one bite because they are so thin,  then the lead sucks back up into the handle and you cannot get it back out.  So you have nothing to then walk the dog on :( 

There are always people who use a tool as it was intended, and to those, I am grateful, but to the vast majority who are really disrespectful of the space their dog is occupying, or completely unaware of where their dog is, I wish they didn't exist so they wouldn't have the option! 

PS: Flexi is a brand name.  (It's like all tissue is Kleenex kind of thing.)

iris lily

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 6132
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #28 on: June 05, 2014, 09:52:11 PM »
They say in Iowa that if you stand on a phone book, you can see the whole state.

yup and we've got that great farmland in our family, good for us. Someday it will pad a lot of family flatlander staches.


iris lily

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 6132
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #29 on: June 05, 2014, 09:53:24 PM »
OP I am so sorry this happened to you. It's scary and awful, these things.

lisahi

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 225
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #30 on: June 06, 2014, 10:45:50 AM »
My little dog is frightened of bikes (or any rapidly moving human actually), which is why I am always vigilant if I take her out on a leash. Although she's never bitten before, I could see it happening if she got riled up enough. She would more likely run away after barking, though.

I could see the dog that bit you being the same way. Bikes, like vacuums, are scary, scary objects to certain dogs. The owner was negligent, and if she had the dog for any period of time, she should have known her dog reacts this way towards bicycles. It's sad for the dog because his owner did not manage his fear properly, and potentially put the dog in a situation where he could be euthanized.

On the bicyclist side, I've had dogs bark and lunge at me while I'm biking. Thankfully, they've all been on controlled leashes. There are a lot of stray dogs around here. When I started biking to work, I expressed concern about getting mugged or getting hit by a car. My coworker said, nah, I don't think that would happen in this area. If I were you, I'd be worried about the stray dogs. He's probably right.

frugaliknowit

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1686
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #31 on: June 06, 2014, 11:21:29 AM »
 Oh bummer!  Thank God no broken bones!

A friend of mine was a victim of a retractable leash on a bike path.  A dog went in front of his bike causing a crash.  Both he and the dog ended up in the hospital.  What is the point of a leash if it's retractable?

DollarBill

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 897
  • Age: 50
  • Location: Austin TX
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #32 on: June 06, 2014, 06:41:06 PM »
If it broke the skin I would recommend soaking in Epsom salt. I had a dog bite, went to E-Room and they sealed it with super glue. Sealed in the infection and had to have surgery almost lost the function of my hand. Leave it open, soak it, and don't cover it. If it starts cramping go to the ER.

DollarBill

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 897
  • Age: 50
  • Location: Austin TX
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #33 on: June 06, 2014, 07:29:06 PM »
Great Dane:

cpa cat

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1741
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #34 on: June 06, 2014, 07:37:27 PM »
  What is the point of a leash if it's retractable?

Generally they're used by people who have dogs that pull. Rather than putting the effort into training their dogs to heel, they put them on a retractable leash and let the dog pull away from them to its heart content. This makes the walk less strenuous and annoying for the owner.

Unfortunately, given how hierarchy works in little dog brains, all it really does for the dog is teach it that its in charge during a walk (not the owner). The dog becomes the leader of the walk, instead of the human.

So it's no real surprise that owners who habitually use retractable leashes have no control over their dog. It's also no surprise when a dog acts out toward other people/animals - well-trained dogs tend to instinctively defer to the leader, their owner; poorly-trained dogs tend to think they are the leader, and rely on their own snap judgment.

Russ

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2211
  • Age: 33
  • Location: Boulder, CO
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #35 on: June 06, 2014, 07:44:57 PM »

PeteD01

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1718
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #36 on: June 06, 2014, 07:55:18 PM »
  What is the point of a leash if it's retractable?

Generally they're used by people who have dogs that pull. Rather than putting the effort into training their dogs to heel, they put them on a retractable leash and let the dog pull away from them to its heart content. This makes the walk less strenuous and annoying for the owner.

Unfortunately, given how hierarchy works in little dog brains, all it really does for the dog is teach it that its in charge during a walk (not the owner). The dog becomes the leader of the walk, instead of the human.

So it's no real surprise that owners who habitually use retractable leashes have no control over their dog. It's also no surprise when a dog acts out toward other people/animals - well-trained dogs tend to instinctively defer to the leader, their owner; poorly-trained dogs tend to think they are the leader, and rely on their own snap judgment.

Precisely

Argyle

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 904
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #37 on: June 07, 2014, 12:55:35 PM »
I'm wondering if it was negligent or illegal of you to leave without giving you contact information.  Is there a law about that?  The dog owner did not behave responsibly on several counts.

Hedge_87

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 661
  • Age: 37
  • Location: South central ks
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #38 on: June 07, 2014, 04:23:05 PM »
  What is the point of a leash if it's retractable?

Generally they're used by people who have dogs that pull. Rather than putting the effort into training their dogs to heel, they put them on a retractable leash and let the dog pull away from them to its heart content. This makes the walk less strenuous and annoying for the owner.

Unfortunately, given how hierarchy works in little dog brains, all it really does for the dog is teach it that its in charge during a walk (not the owner). The dog becomes the leader of the walk, instead of the human.

So it's no real surprise that owners who habitually use retractable leashes have no control over their dog. It's also no surprise when a dog acts out toward other people/animals - well-trained dogs tend to instinctively defer to the leader, their owner; poorly-trained dogs tend to think they are the leader, and rely on their own snap judgment.
This. We have a two year old lab that we take walking every evening.  The ABSOLUTE WORST thing you can do is give a dog more lease when he starts to pull.  It takes a lot of work and patience but the best way to enjoy a dog is to get them trained to be very obedient.  I'm able to take my dog running in the mornings on a leash (when it's cooler out poor black lab sounds like he is going to die in the summer just walking)

thepokercab

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 484
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #39 on: June 07, 2014, 07:43:12 PM »
Wow OP, i feel for you. 

I remember years ago walking down the street and coming towards me was what seemed to be an elderly couple and their dog.  As they got to me, the dog suddenly lunged for my leg; thankfully he only got the jeans but in my frantic attempt to get the dog off of me, I ended up on the street, where a car had to swerve to avoid hitting me.  Finally the dog literally just ripped off my left pant leg. 

There I was, one side of my pants missing, not quite sure of what just happened. I was extremely lucky that the dog didn't actually get to my leg.  Looking back, the best part about it was that the guy didn't say a word, and the women who had the dog on the leash looked at me and just muttered "sorry" and kept on walking- while the dog still had half of my jeans in his mouth!  It was just so surreal that I ended up just letting them go- and walking the last half a mile or so with one side of my jeans missing from the knee on down. 

MidwestGal

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 115
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #40 on: June 09, 2014, 07:33:59 AM »
Holy moley Dollarbill, thanks for sharing!  The ER left mine open and it hasn't stopped weeping yet; there was quite a bit of ahem, drainage yesterday on the deepest puncture but the other two seem to be doing fine.  I would love to keep it undressed but my work attire requires pants so I'm stuck with covering it up.

There are quite a few stories here.  I'm just now having my eyes opened to the danger of negligent owners, the folks I hung around in my youth were very strict with their canines.  My  family (growing up) and I have always respected our role as owners.  Now my spouse and kid has never owned a dog, but we plan on getting one when life settles down in a few years and we have the time to proceed with a training program.  After this incident happened I said "okay, I'M RESPONSIBLE for the dog training in this household".  That sort of went without saying anyway, but it made me feel better.

Something that really irritates me is when coming across an owner who decides not to train their smaller breed, because "it's only a little dog".

rocksinmyhead

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1489
  • Location: Oklahoma
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #41 on: June 09, 2014, 08:03:24 AM »
Something that really irritates me is when coming across an owner who decides not to train their smaller breed, because "it's only a little dog".

ohhhh so true. it's like they think "well if he gets into trouble I can just scoop him up, so it's okay if he's an untrained little hellion" LOL.

former player

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 9144
  • Location: Avalon
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #42 on: June 09, 2014, 08:15:00 AM »
Glad you seem to be healing with no serious side-effects, midwestgal.

DollarBill: youuuuch!

I got my dog as a six year old rescue who had no idea what being on a lead was about (ex farm dog).  I employed a very simple method: as soon as the dog pulls, turn and walk in the opposite direction.  It took two days to have him walking quietly on a lead.   You have to keep it up even when people are watching and wondering what on earth you are doing - especially when they can't see the dog!

He is of course the cleverest (and most handsome) dog in all the world, which probably helped, but it should work for any canine.

lisahi

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 225
Re: Bitten while biking yesterday by a leashed dog
« Reply #43 on: June 09, 2014, 09:48:12 AM »
Just had an incident this morning when I was riding to work. Passed by a house in my neighborhood, heard barking, looked back and a little puppy started to follow me. Off leash, of course. I know this puppy. She has run across the street at me before when I was getting my mail.

No harm -- the puppy was frightened by my bicycle, but as soon as I stopped, put my hand down and pet her, she was overjoyed to get some love. Her owner scooped her up and thanked me.

BUT COME ON, PEOPLE. Your dog doesn't have to be a little hellion to keep her on a leash. At the very least, think about that dog getting run over by a car because you decided it was okay to work in your front yard while your tiny puppy plays, unrestricted. If I hadn't stopped, that puppy would have continued to follow me. Lots of dogs are afraid of bicycles, especially if they're not used to them. They think the bike is an intruder that they must run off. Because I stopped, I probably saved this puppy from thinking that bicycles are bad (and perhaps prevented the puppy from attacking a bicyclist when she got older), but that won't help when the puppy decides to chase a car, or a runner, or whatever else fancies her attention, and then gets lost or run over.

For the record, one of my little dogs is what most of ya'll would think is a little hellion. She's got issues (the product of two "puppy farm" dogs, she has both psychological and physical defects). I socialized her like crazy when she was a puppy, but she still developed fears of children, bicyclists, runners, strangers (not cars though--go figure). I have adopted a manage strategy with her. I simply don't put her in situations where she would be exposed to her fears. It's difficult to train those fears out of a dog, especially when you're by yourself. Most of the techniques used to alleviate fears involve the use of at least 2 people (one to control the object of the fear, the other to control the dog). So far I don't have that kind of support I can rely on, so I manage by not putting her into situations where she could get into trouble.