Ronno6

Since relocating to south Mississippi, I have encountered a much larger number of chasing dogs than in Florida.
Most of the rascals have been interested only in running and barking, with very few even ever attempting to bite.
However, today I got nipped for the first time in my 35 years of cycling.
3 pit bull terriers came after me: 2 on the left side and one on the right.
The one closest to my left side actually got me above the ankle on my left leg.
It didn't break the skin, but left red marks clearly showing that contact was made.
So, 'bout a mile down the road I called 911 and reported the incident.
2 Sheriff's Deputies responded in about 10 minutes.
One drove to the house of the offending canine and discussed things with the owner.
He returned after verifying that the pooch's shots were up to date.

So, I will be investing in a can of pepper/dog repellant spray.
Then, I'll try that road again.......................

Farhat

Glad you're alright.

corrado33

It is unfortunate. However, if the dog wanted to bite you he would have broken skin. He was obviously poorly trained and didn't know how to "play gentle." Even my mom's really gentle dogs will nip if I get them really riled up and chase them around the yard. I always scold them for it and stop playing, but it still happens occasionally.

Shuffleman

I am glad that you did not get seriously injured. That would suck. I would caution you on the Pepper Spray. I have seen some dogs and people for that matter walk right through it. If they do this and you go to the ground you are both going to have the spray in your eyes to contend with. I rarely get accosted by dogs but when I lived in Savannah it happened quite a bit when running. I had a buddy who ran with a dog whistle around his neck. He swore that the dogs would back off of him when he would blow on it. They are light and easy to get to. He wore his around his neck on a string when he ran. I have not used one in this atmosphere but I have seen them used in dog obedience training. They definitely do not like that noise.

Dan333SP

I'm very impressed with the sheriff's response time and actions! Well done to them, even if it is really what everyone "should" do in these circumstances.

dr_lha

Pepper spray isn't really necessary, chasing dogs in my experience are put off by a quick squirt of the water bottle to their face.

ColaJacket

If the dog's name is Eddie, you've got a new training partner.

GH

RISKDR1

My strategy exactly. Worked for 30 years. Now that I have changed to aluminum bottles I am "unarmed".

GhostSS

And if you have a sweet mustache.

BoSoxYacht

In 35 years of cycling, I've only been bitten by one dog.

After taking SpeshulEd on his first century ride, I rushed into his house to use the restroom, and when I turned my back on his dog walking into the bathroom, one of his dogs nipped at my calf.

ColaJacket

But if you don't have a sweet mustache, he'll eat your shoe.

GH

RJM

I haven't been bitten, but they have hit my rear wheel a couple of times this year. Not hard, I didn't go down or anything, but annoying.

I do race one dog that is on my regular route...she just loves to run.

RPK79

Didja call the cops?

Ronno6

I have used the water bottle as a deterrent on occasion.
Doggone critters are hard to hit!!
Anyway, the water stream is not very potent, and can only hit the dog when he is right next to you.
But, I guess that's when he is most dangerous.
I just hate to waste good water (or sports drink) that I might need on a hot ride.

I may give the whistle a try.

BoSoxYacht

Nah, Ed bribed me with food and beers, so I let it slide.

I'll never turn my back on that dog again though.

HAMMER MAN

My brother was recently attacked by a pitbull on the back country roads we ride her in Texas. the dog got the outside of his knee and when my brother went down bi him in his ass and then his arm.. he has about 20+ puncture wounds on his arm, a bite/puncture wound on his ass and about 10 puncture wondson his knee. he called the PD and they took the dog as they said it was dangerous and he was a victim. The owner is balking at paying for his medical expenses so he has hired an attorney. i have always carried pepper spray myself but have never had to use it. Her in texas out of the city limits on country roads there is no leash law.

LGHT

So a dog is running wild and you get bit and the only concearn is if the dog has it's shots??? Wow that's crazy no leash law at all? If a dog bites someone in my city is a criminal offense to the owner, the dog typically gets put down and the owner get the bill. Then majority of the time the victim will file a civil suit against the owner for medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of wages etc etc. I know one case specifically that exceeded $50k by the time all the bills came in.

bronco71

Pfft, in many of the hillbilly places in this country you would get tarred and feathered for suggesting that they should contain their dog.

LGHT

hahaha I bet it's the same with there wives...

bronco71

Shivver, their wives,... ewwww. OK, old, bad hillbilly town jokes;

"You didn't lose your girlfriend,... you lost your turn."

"What do you get when you put all the women in this bar together,... a full set of teeth."

"Damn, she shore is purdy with dat chaw in har mouth."

*I did some time in a culture clashed hick town*

LGHT

hahahaha

eyewannabike

There's someone not armed in Mississippi?

Actually, the officers in this case were being lazy. Mississippi laws state

"Management of Animals that Bite Humans
A healthy dog, cat or ferret that bites a person shall be confined and observed for 10 days
in a manner acceptable to the local health officer or his or her designee. Rabies vaccine shall not
be administered during the observation period. "

If you can't ID the specific dog, then they'd probably take all 3 into custody. Call the police office, ask for the the ranking officer on duty and escalate it with them. At the very least, you can make sure the thing isn't rabid. Also, if they don't have collars on with rabies tags, the police are, quite literally, required to shoot the animals.

BillyD

Hard to believe, even for Mississippi.

Link?

eyewannabike

Meant to include it.

https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/resources/916.pdf

Read the section about animals are large in terms of officers having a duty to kill. The other section about the quarantine is at the bottom. The officer would probably shoot the dog and then the owner would blame Obama. I think that's how most things go down there.

a77impala

I can't believe that dog owner got away with no charges. I called on a couple dogs that tried to attack me and was advised to insist that charges be filed in case I was bitten!
I was also told it was in my right to shoot the attacking dog.