Dog Defense

[Shawn Gossman]

How would you rate Southern Illinois in terms of it having a dog problem for cyclists?

How do you defend yourself from dogs while on the trail?

Have you ever had to defend yourself from a dog while cycling in Southern Illinois?

 

[Rom]

I've been pretty lucky with dogs, typically i'll stop and pet it.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I've been pretty lucky with dogs, typically i'll stop and pet it.

I've always tried to stop and talk to the dog to let it see that I'm not a threat. I keep meaning to buy some treats to give to them.

 

[Wade]

I can assure you that the dogs in Southern Illinois are no problem compared to the dogs in the Ozarks. People there have no notion of the concept of keeping your dog in your yard.

The only dogs that worry me are the pit bulls. In 40 years of cycling, only 3 dogs have earnestly tried to bite me and all were pit bulls. One got me on the ankle earlier this year. No negotiating with those bastards.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I can assure you that the dogs in Southern Illinois are no problem compared to the dogs in the Ozarks. People there have no notion of the concept of keeping your dog in your yard.

The only dogs that worry me are the pit bulls. In 40 years of cycling, only 3 dogs have earnestly tried to bite me and all were pit bulls. One got me on the ankle earlier this year. No negotiating with those bastards.

Pits can be vicious. Herd protection animals can be a bit scary, too!

You know, I hear all the TransAm riders say Kentucky is the worst when it comes to dogs.

 

[Wade]

Pits can be vicious. Herd protection animals can be a bit scary, too!

You know, I hear all the TransAm riders say Kentucky is the worst when it comes to dogs.

What I’ve found is that the further back in the woods you get, the less likely people control their animals. These are the same people who put up “No Trespassing” signs in front of their dilapidated double-wides and broken down vehicles. They think we might mistake their property for a state park.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

They think we might mistake their property for a state park.

Now that's funny right there!

 

[Ray]

Pits can be vicious. Herd protection animals can be a bit scary, too!

You know, I hear all the TransAm riders say Kentucky is the worst when it comes to dogs.

Sort of funny story about herding dogs…..coming to the top of a decent hill and a blue heeler comes running from the farm at the top and chomps my left calf. Probably serious enough to require stitches but not terrible. Property owner is standing in the driveway so I walk my bike over with blood pouring to talk to him about the dog (vaccinations, etc). He chuckled like it was funny and as I was standing there the dog came back and bit my right leg! Not as bad as the first but still painful. He proceeds to beat the dog right then and there. No doubt he wonders why the dog is aggressive.

I’ve found that a well-timed squirt in the face from a water bottle works 99% of the time.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Sort of funny story about herding dogs…..coming to the top of a decent hill and a blue heeler comes running from the farm at the top and chomps my left calf. Probably serious enough to require stitches but not terrible. Property owner is standing in the driveway so I walk my bike over with blood pouring to talk to him about the dog (vaccinations, etc). He chuckled like it was funny and as I was standing there the dog came back and bit my right leg! Not as bad as the first but still painful. He proceeds to beat the dog right then and there. No doubt he wonders why the dog is aggressive.

I’ve found that a well-timed squirt in the face from a water bottle works 99% of the time.

I try to squirt the dogs in the face with water as well or stop and talk to them.

I'm not sure if I would have been nice to the owner if I saw him beating on his dog, even if the thing just bit me.