Originally Posted by rob999

Yup, Lots of things I would do different in hindsite...

first, I won't be on my bike w/o my cell again...

2nd it occurred to me a few minutes later I should have at least demanded the dogs collar so I could check the tags...again hindsite...

I did file a report with the park police, but in all honesty there is not much they can do, my description of the people is weak at best ... this definately makes me question the concept of eye witnesses... 10 minutes later and I was not sure I would have been able to pick the people out of a line up... I would have been more sure about the dog..
Seriously I was more concerned with my wound, I was pouring blood at the time. I think the fact that my HR was up from riding made it worse, but still my first instinct was simply self preservation.
Of course a few minutes later after some of the adreniline wore off I was pissed at myselft for about 10 things I didin't do.

I will be off the bike for a while (I hope not more than a week) while the wound heals, and I plan to look out for these people but I doubt they will be back soon, if they have any common sense.

I really should have just sat down and waited for someone, anyone...but again hindsite.

The rabies shots suck, but I made the call that any risk was not worth it. Like was posted above, once you show symptoms, file your will....so I went with caution.

Not sure if I am luck or worse off but since I was traveling about 15mph when he got me I don't have a normal looking bite but more of a deep tear or 2...in the end that might heal better than the more normal punctures, of course the scar will be huge...

I still don't feel the need for pepper spray or anything, I have 2 dogs and have never been bitten before...but like I said I was careless with my cell phone in the car...that won't happen again.

Originally Posted by nova

Well not when you show symptoms when you show later more advanced symptoms such as light hurting your eyes water taste like acid etc. First rabies symptom is numbness around and in the original wound. You still have plenty of time at this point well you should be in a big rush regardless. This symptom continues and the numbness spreads from around the wound outwards. You do still have time at this point.

I know this because a friend of mine was on a hike along the Appalachian trail and was bit by a rabid in his case coon i believe. He was out in middle of no where and had to start hiking back and got the first symptom before finding help. Just a fyi if your get bit don't wait for that first symptom less you like a double dose of treatments. From what my friend said it was much more painful than the first time he had to have the treatment do to a dog bite.

Rabies is not something to be fooled with.

I have personally seen 2 rabid coons. First was in my driveway the second was at silver creek. I spent probably 30 minutes going back and forth along the roads and asking other park visitors if they had cell phones. Finally found one guy with a cell who put the call in to the rangers dept then I shadowed the rabid coon from about 50 feet away so i wouldn't loose site of it till the ranger came who then shot it.

Rabid animals and rabies are not to be messed with.

Originally Posted by Nachoman

Post some signs in the hood requesting info on the dog's owners. Maybe their locals and will be identified to you. Don't let them slide.

Originally Posted by Socalcycling

Sorry, but your friend did not have rabies. Rabies in humans takes between 3-12 weeks before the first symptoms appear. So unless it took him 3 weeks to find help I'm afraid he is FOS. BTW, I spell checked this one for you to.