A few times I've been pursued by dogs off their lead. Sometimes they just want to play but other times I can't be sure. A local runner got bit recently whilst running along the canal. Obviously the owner will get mad but on the other hand it's not right that aggressive dogs are off their lead in public...
Not if it's just running at you, no. If it is baring its teeth or trying to attack that's a different matter.
If you think you’re in danger, sure. I bet in many cases they just want to play. In some cases they may just want you to leave what they regard as their territory, and once you do that, they will give up the chase. I guess it all depends on the situation.
It's difficult to say sometimes. I had a beagle chasing me a few weeks ago and I could feel its breath on my leg... wasn't sure if it was going to have a bite.
If it’s in an area where leashes are required and the dog is loose, kick away.
Lifelong problem with dogs attacking me
Hate them
check with your local police department and or attorney
peoPle get pissed when you do something to their dogs
Strict liability for their dogs action in some states
My brother hooked me up with some police-grade mace, I carry it as a flipbelt attachment and would not hesitate to hose down a dog that was going for me.
It’s not so much whether it’s ok as whether it’s advisable. If you can avoid a physical confrontation with the dog/owner, it’s probably best, even if it interrupts your run and annoys you. If you kick the wrong dog who feels threatened by you or protective of it’s owner, you are going to get hurt. Even an angry and motivated 35 lb dog can be a formidable adversary.
Best advice is to speak calmly and firmly, make yourself ‘big’, and face the dog directly. Don’t be hysterical or scream, put your palms out and get allow them to be sniffed, and 99% of dog encounters will end uneventfully.
If you are in a multi use area and there are repeat offenders, best thing is to film any off leash encounters that bother you and take them to your local police. Most municipalities have ordnances to deal with such things. Don’t try to be a tough guy, it’s definitely going to boomerang on you.
I generally think that should be the last straw. But if nothing else works (getting big, not being confrontational), then kick away. I’ve kicked a dog twice: once when running on my own, and once when a dog came after my (on-leash) dog. I felt bad for a couple seconds, because I made pretty good contact, but that’s it.
I have been bitten by dogs 3 times. Twice while running and once when I was riding my bike. On all 3 occasions I hardly had time to react, never mind pull pepper spray, arm it and fire - especially when riding a racing bike.
Dogs suck wrote:
Lifelong problem with dogs attacking me
Hate them
check with your local police department and or attorney
peoPle get pissed when you do something to their dogs
Strict liability for their dogs action in some states
Only if it's absolutely necessary, as a last resort. Same with people: don't hurt anyone unless you absolutely have no other choice.
Most dog owners won't like that at all, even if it's their fault, because they'll do anything for their spoiled dogs even if they're dangerous.
If I know that there are lots of dogs in an area, I would carry foldable sticks, like trekking poles, in a light bag where I also have some water and other essentials. That's how people in developing countries all deal with dogs: sticks and rocks.
Just wave the stick around or let the dog bite the stick. Again, hit it only as a last resort.
If people ask why you need a stick, you can say it's for doing gymnastic warmups or for going uphills, or some other random excuse.
dmb wrote:
put your palms out and get allow them to be sniffed
That's the dumbest post that I've ever seen.
Of course, if a dog bites you in any way you kick it as hard as you can.
F dog owners who can't keep their animals in check.
True story: Back around 2002 when I was running more seriously, a little dog bit me in a park in Edmonton. It drew blood and tore a hole in my running tights. I was livid. I told the dog's owner she owed me a new pair of tights. I gave her my number and gave her a stern warning.
I received $80 for a new pair of tights later that day. I didn't kick this animal though.
If it's a bigger dog you sure as hell kick it. If I had kicked this smaller animal that might have killed it.
If any monster comes at me, I don’t even slow down. I run at them too and kick as hard as I can. Usually aiming for their head. Owners go nuts and I flip them off as their smelly monster is squealing , rolling around in the dirt. Keep those demons on a leash and stop ruining my peaceful runs. Lunatic dog freak owners.
Green thinks it’s okay even if the dog does absolutely nothing to you
You're better off trying to outkick it.
longnotlong wrote:
A few times I've been pursued by dogs off their lead. Sometimes they just want to play but other times I can't be sure. A local runner got bit recently whilst running along the canal. Obviously the owner will get mad but on the other hand it's not right that aggressive dogs are off their lead in public...
If it's a smaller dog the best thing to do is just stop. My girlfriend has two dogs and one of them gets anxious sometimes, especially when on a leash. The dog is actually scared but tries to look tough. At dog parks she'll often charge at other dogs and look quite ferocious up to a few feet away but then not do anything. Sometimes she does that with people too. Some people freak out and it always makes it way worse. A neighbor once came by and she started barking at him and he motioned like he was going to stomp on her. Ever since that first time he did that she never trusts that guy. She barks like hell every time she sees him.
Just pull the gun and shoot that fing ankle biter.
Many of us carry while we run, so we can shoot it.