Dog loose

[Mads]

My neighbor's  - or rather  down the street - dog  is loose.  And if I say loose , I mean not enclosed.  It is not that the dog finds a spot to get out.  The gate is left open.  So every time I pass on my bike, I first get ambushed by the Border Collie and then attacked by the Labrador.  This attack entails the dog biting my shoe and going for me it a way that makes me believe that it is only a matter of time before I get bitten. 

 

I visited the owner neatly dressed (not in my cycling lycra   )  and asked them politely to please keep the dog behind locked fences.  She mumbled something about the will make a plan.  But nothing really was done.

 

What can I do to enforce the locking up ?  I also have two dogs which is never loose mainly because as far as I am concerned it is law. 

 

I have seen horror stories of cyclist getting bitten by dogs and definitely  don't want to be one.

 

Any advice please.  But I would prefer to resolve the matter in a civil way. 

[Dragu]

The dogs are attacking you in the street so if the owner doesn't cooperate after you warned her then i would suggest you get yourself the best pepper spray you can afford and give the furballs a good face full.  I doubt you will have a problem again and you have full right to protect yourself on public property so no law hassels. 

[Peach.]

Go back to her and pepper spray her, tell her that it's not her dogs fault that they get out.

[Blackbeard]

It is illegal not to have control of your pets at all times. Contact the municipality and ask them to deal with it. Confirm it in writing and keep it as a record. You are in the Cape so it should be dealt with. The neighbour will receive a written warning. Repeat if it continues and insist on action. The Municipality will institute criminal charges - that should focus your neighbour's mind. Try to avoid harming the dog in any way if possible.

 

If the dog should bite someone, a cyclist or pedestrian, provide copies of your written reports to the injured party and advise him/her that they should bring criminal charges. The criminal action can include a claim for damages or they can institute a separate action.

[Guest DieBees]

Pepper spray!!!

[LeTurbo]

Buy a cheap lock, wait until the dogs are inside the property, then lock the gate. 

[FrancoisC]

You're on a bike, man!

Gear down, stand up and sprint.

Best motivation you can get.

[Mojoman]

People like that just wind me up. Sadly at the end of the day its always the animal that suffers, not the low life half witted owner. Speak to the local SPCA and see if they will send an inspector to speak to the idiot.

[Nayr]

Maybe just explain the Municipal bye-laws to them first before you pepper-spray them, seen as you want to resolve the matter amicably...

[scotty]

In instances like this I find a firm "NO" and a tap on the nose with a rolled up newspaper works, that's on the owner not the dogs. 

[SeaBee]

Hmmm... Mads, are you wearing white lycra?!  Or a Choc Cows outfit? That will cause the Border Collie to want to round you up! We all know the Lab is just tagging along jealous of the potential attention the BC may get. 

 

I'm with the pepperspray the owner suggestion - and I doubt you'll ever pepper spray a dog anyways. 

 

How about trying to divert the dog's attention... maybe pick up something to throw or roll in another direction. Not aggro, just getting him to chase that instead... But ja, that's treating the cause and not the symptom. 

[kennyg]

Both Labs and collies are not exactly attack dogs.

 

I have had both. Enjoy the attention... They might just be happy to see you. A couple of firm flat hands will stop the shoe biting.

[JXV]

That BC just wants to play. Probably more intelligent than its owner. Try to befriend the dogs if possible so that they will not be aggressive when you ride past. If not practical then follow a formal written complaint procedure as outlined by others. I would visit the owner again to explain the route you are going to follow.

Pepper spray will work on the dogs but they are not the root cause here and dont really deserve it.

[Cois]

Waterbottle squirt in face.

Did this to a demon (Jack) Russell on my commute this morning.  Going to have to talk to the owner tonight.

 

Oh and if the dog bites you, you can take them to court.  Sue the ass off them.  My uncle had his one dog bite a lady who walked onto his property.  He had to pay something like R15000.  Best of all the dog had no teeth.

 

But agree, pepper spray the owner first.

[Mads]

Thank you all.

 

Yes my thoughts was to go to Municipality but I don't think that is resolving the matter in a amicable way.

 

But in the end I think that is the way to go.

 

Kennyg.  I think that is exactly why the owner does not do anything, because the day I went to complain, the Lab jumped up on me putting his two front feet on my shoulders licking my face.

 

But surely she must see him chasing me down the street too??

 

FranscoisC  The problem with the sprinting up the little hill is the Border Collie rounding me up. So I have to slow down because I am afraid I ride into him and end up hurting the dog.

 

Seabee  Absolutely excellent

 

I think I will go with another visit and then a complaint at Municipal offices.

[V12man]

Spray the dogs with water from your bottle.... they generally get out the way sharpish and its harmless to them.