God damn it!!

[pfrsantos]

I'd sugest getting some kind of protective/offensive gear, like this:



More aggressive spikes and just let the dog bite you. After an atempt, it'll learn to leave you alone. You can also get a hair horn and use it before they attack.



At least I would do it this way.

[tosh]

I'm not too bothered about the grey area - if fact after yesterday's events it's the least of my worries. I was thinking last night what might have happened - the damn dog very nearly had me!!
As for the box cutter, I'm cycling home tonight with it in my pocket. Hate to say this but I'm very tempted to switch the blade in favour of the linoleum pattern.

I really don't see why I must risk being mauled/disfigured - if I can prevent it I will. To hell with what the law says.

Sorry, but it was that close!!

[gregozedobe]

I don't like the idea of getting close enough to an attacking dog to be able to use any contact weapon, so I'm going to suggest a totally different avoidance tactic:

Get some tyres that will give you control on grass.  That way you can just avoid the whole situation of getting close to the dog & handler.  It also gives you more time to dismount and block the dog with your bike frame if it comes to that.  If you have confidence in your tyres you will probably just ride around the problem, even if you don't have time to think.

I'm sure you can get "combo" tyres that are acceptable for ashphalt/bitumen paths but also have enough tread on the sides to allow you to ride on wet grass without falling off.

Does this option appeal ?  You can still carry your box cutter, but hopefully much less likely to need to use it.

[captain spaulding]

Its tires not tyres.

Sorry that was just bugging me. 

[firiki]

I know for a fact that CS tear gas doesn't affect dogs, so I don't think pepper spay might work better. I could be wrong.

My approach would be preventive, i.e. avoid alarming a dog to the point it attacks me. That said, there are too many irresponsible dog owners out there, who are not only unable to control their -usually uneducated untrained- animal like they should but who also take pride in its display of viciousness. This is all too sad.

In order to deal with such an attack I'd keep a powerful flashlight with instant strobe and a nice, heavy crescent wrench handy, knowing that I would have to go savage should SHTF. A good kick coming from below on their abdomen where their ribs end could cause them to curl up.

Edit: Corrected my post. Now I'm imagining a dog-laureate with a pet-degree 

[pfrsantos]

TYRES!

 
 

[Syncop8r]

Its tires not tyres.

Sorry that was just bugging me. 

No it's not!

TYRES!

 
 

Agreed

[gregozedobe]

Its tires not tyres.

Sorry that was just bugging me. 

You probably spell colour incorrectly too - I  choose to use the "English" language, not "United States American" language (and I'm not ashamed of my country's colonial origins either)         

[Syncop8r]

A different approach - how about carrying a big string of sausages on your bike? 
Of course, this may increase the incidences of dogs lunging at you...

[Huntsman]

Its tires not tyres.
Sorry that was just bugging me. 

I think you'll find it's (note the apostrophe  - whilst we are into correcting each other ) tyres where the incident happened !!

In my 'Everything you need to know about bikes' book - It says: Present something for the dog to lunge at and bite - ideally a stick or a bike pump - last resort your arm - The dog will always go for this - Then a big kick or knee to the stomach/nether regions - Like what your policeman friend did.

Don't like the idea of a knife for many reasons (many stated above).

Also isn't a real smack on the nose meant to stop dogs??

Also your slicks/road tyres should be perfectly capably of riding on grass - I always do it on my road bike

[Taxi Dad]

on the subject of ''Weapons" that you could explain away as 'reasonable' ~
a small can of WD40 would probably be acceptable to carry on a bicycle ?
+ 1 bic lighter = very passable flame thrower just sayin' 

*yes I'm aware that it might not put of an angry Rottie/mugger for long (but it would give him something to consider) AND it would take both hands and maybe need a bit of *warning* ? 
I've considered this form of EDC defence, if nothing else it breeds a confidence to feel you are 'armed' but Mr plod wouldn't be horrified to find it in your coat pocket 


*also VERY effective against LARGE spiders in the garage ...... I HAVE tested that one ! 

[pfrsantos]

Get a feral cat in a quick-opening basket.

Problem solved.

NEXT!

 

[Huntsman]

PS. Avoidance is always the best option:
I know you said the road was busy and dangerous
However I always ride on the road with a high viz vest and very good bike lights
Two back and two front one or both flashing
- Car drivers in the UK are reasonably aware/sympathetic towards cyclists
- At least way better than in Sydney

Just like you favourite multitool - It's a matter of choice - Some may consider a path with potential nasty dogs preferable to a potentially dangerous road - Some the other way around 

[Lichtbote]

I´m not even starting with the fact that it is hard for a mental sane person to willingly hurt a feeling beeing. It´s one thing to think about it and another to finally do it. Even if your brain "knows" it may be neccessary, your education in our civilized world may make you hesitating for important 1-2 seconds.

As mentioned several times before - most "weapons", be it a knife of some sort, a water hose, some spraystuff, the homemade BIC/WD40 flamethrower, ...... needs to be drawn. Might be doable as long as you are walking and having time to prepare after noticing the dog before he jumps on you.

But when a big dog, lets say around 40Kg, attacks you driving a bike, pushing you with it´s jump or pulling you with a limb between its teeth - as soon as he has you on the ground and is chewing on you - it´s much harder to get and use them effective.

If there is enough room on your way, and only your tyres were limiting your ability to keep enough distance, i think too that some good semis for street and light offroad are the best to avoid the problem.

[Taxi Dad]

Get a feral cat in a quick-opening basket.

Problem solved.

NEXT!

 

I did think of that but I wouldn't have suggested it cos I'm wayyy too nice 

[tosh]

lol 
Flame thrower, ferral cat, wrench, bike chain......
Oh my god!! 

Let's be really clinical and throw the dog a sausage with a couple of paracetamol tablets in it, why don't we... Bye Bye Doggy!!

EDIT: I think I'll put the knobbly's back on this weekend and cycle home in my work boots (steel toes) in future 

[firiki]

Get a feral cat in a quick-opening basket.

Problem solved.

NEXT!

 

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT? -HISSS, HISSS

But when a big dog, lets say around 40Kg, attacks you driving a bike, pushing you with it´s jump or pulling you with a limb between its teeth - as soon as he has you on the ground and is chewing on you - it´s much harder to get and use them effective.

Very true, that a moment's hesitation could prove crucial. In case a dog had made me fall I'd wrestle with it, try to get it underneath me and strangle it until it calmed down - not suffocate to death - and then try to reason with it, talk to the bloody beast to see if it had enough. Dogs understand body language, so not showing fear nor arrogance while respecting their entity has worked for me in the past to avoid nasty outcome.

Not having enough training in martial arts or combat techniques I realise I'm being fairly optimistic here.

Steel toes yes but what if it grabs your leg? 

[tosh]

EEK!!

I'll take the Rottweiler anyday

Whoa.....   A T T I T U D E 

[ducttapetech]

Its tires not tyres.

Sorry that was just bugging me. 

You probably spell colour incorrectly too - I  choose to use the "English" language, not "United States American" language (and I'm not ashamed of my country's colonial origins either)         

huh! The Brits muck up English as bad as us Americans. Don't even get started about you Down Underians.    ;D


Nate

[derekmac]

Us Canadians be the only ones that can speak some right some proper english eh.  No doot aboot it b'y!!

[ducttapetech]

LMAO eh!!!

Nate

[kirk13]

Us Canadians be the only ones that can speak some right some proper english eh.  No doot aboot it b'y!!

Isn't that Yorkshire speak?

[jerseydevil]

Us Canadians be the only ones that can speak some right some proper english eh.  No doot aboot it b'y!!

Isn't that Yorkshire speak?

I'm willing to be that in real life I wouldn't be able to understand 95% of you folks here on the forum....... 

[Taxi Dad]

Us Canadians be the only ones that can speak some right some proper english eh.  No doot aboot it b'y!!

Isn't that Yorkshire speak?

I'm willing to be that in real life I wouldn't be able to understand 95% of you folks here on the forum....... 

why ? we don't even have funny accents like you foreigners do 


* actually I will have to take that back, there are so many different accents, here in the UK it's hard to understand someone who as been born and breed 100 miles away 

[tosh]

C'mon then, let's 'av yer!!
Sing along if tha' kno's wurds

[derekmac]

Us Canadians be the only ones that can speak some right some proper english eh.  No doot aboot it b'y!!

Isn't that Yorkshire speak?

I work with someone from Yorkshire.  I usually can't understand a thing he says.    Though, he's not as bad as the guy from Wales!!! 

[Taxi Dad]

 
anyone know if Tosh is still alive ? got his liberty ? and not been gnawed on ?

[tosh]

anyone know if Tosh is still alive ? got his liberty ? and not been gnawed on ?

Still here!
Not seen that damn devil dog since....... phew

[Taxi Dad]

good news 'T-bone' 
(your new nick name I fear  )

[kirk13]

good news 'T-bone' 
(your new nick name I fear  )

The Bask of the Houndervilles?