Dog kicked at by cyclist

[SirChenjins]

I was out for our dog walking group’s regular Saturday morning walk (there’s 4 of us) on a local woodland trail that’s used mainly by walkers and dog walkers, but cyclists and horse riders also use it. The vast majority of the time it works fine, people are tolerant of each other. Our dogs are usually off lead (as many are) and we put them on eg during narrow parts of the path, or if we see an on lead dog, or cyclists are coming, etc etc.

I have been working really hard on ChenPup’s recall and he’s been brilliant. As we were walking a cyclist came tearing round a bend and made no effort to slow down so we recalled the dogs and went to get off the path. However, the speed of the cyclist spooked ChenPup and he started running beside the cyclist for some metres - I was unable to clip his lead on in time. I tried to run after him and recall but as I did that, the cyclist stopped pedalling, and as he was freewheeling pulled his leg in, aimed a big kick at my dog, shouted to me to get my dog on a lead, then carried on cycling. I managed to grab him him and fortunately the cyclist missed him, but I’ve been so nervous of having him off lead since in case it happens again. I’ve tried short bursts off lead and he’s come straight back every time, but I don’t know what to do now - keep my fingers crossed I don’t meet the same cyclist and have him off lead? Keep him on lead/long line forever more? ChenPup is 10.5kg and about 1.5 foot tall so not an imposing dog, but I completely understand it was not on for him to run beside the cyclist.

so you admit that your pet is not under close control as it's the law?

Exactly. On most shared paths if you’re in the middle and stick your hand out you’re blocking the path. 🤷‍♀️. And would be crying if someone hit him.

At least we don't squat down on footpaths, pavements, hedgerows etc. and curl out massive turds that inflict our germs and smell on all and sundry. And, what is more, expect to be worshipped for it!

For a second there I thought you were on about runners. I’ve lost count of the amount of giant toilet papered covered shites I’ve had the misfortune to come across on our shared walking paths, not forgetting the numerous pairs of pants they have decided not to salvage. The joys of living rurally away from public toilets! 😂

There’s a cycle path / footpath / bridleway combined near us - all of us use it at the same time. Nobody has priority - it isn’t a public highway as such nor is it a public footpath.

The OP stated that the cyclist came round a blind bend and couldn’t have known there was anyone round the bend. Therefore should have rung their bell or slowed down. I don’t disagree - as a cyclist I always slow down at certain points when I’m out riding on the trail. However, if it was a blind bend, the OP should have also had full control of her dog by putting it on its lead as she too wouldn’t be able to see if a bike / horse / runner was coming the other way towards her! Being ready for such a situation works both ways.

It doesn’t add up if OP was that close to the blind bend as cyclists came hurtling round it

how come she had time to see cyclists and try and put lead on
the cyclists would of been past them in seconds

The problem with woods is that there are lots of trees and turns to obsure what is around the corner. If your dog can be spooked by the unexpected they should be on a lead.

The cyclist does no know your dog so had no idea if the dog was intending to take a bite. They attempted self defence before the dog might have done something.

Can I boot anything/one approaching me if I don’t know their intentions? Or is that just reserved for dogs?

Kicking a dog is different from kicking a person. I'd totally kick a dog if I felt threatened by it.

Yes if a person is running after you when your on your bike and you think there going to bite or jump on you

Can I boot anything/one approaching me if I don’t know their intentions? Or is that just reserved for dogs

It is much easier to guess if a person is about to attack you.

I say this as a dog owner... if your dog doesn't have good recall and runs up to people it may get kicked. Some people are frightened of dogs. My dog got kicked once by a guy with mental health issues who lives near us because it ran up to him barking as it had gotten away from me at the front door. I did not get angry with him because it was entirely my fault. People will defend themselves and have every right to.. they don't know your dog is friendly and just playing... and that cyclist probably thought both he and your dog might get seriously harmed were the dog to get tangled in the bike.

@SquirrelFeed I think most people would probably boot anything that chased after them shouting and tried to jump on them yes.. maybe not a very small child but then the comparison isn't fair as a small child couldn't tear a chunk out of your leg like a small dog could

I can’t get on board with thinking it’s ok to kick animals. Fair play if you can justify it somehow. Neither the cyclist or the dog managed to control their impulses.

I bloody hate leisure cyclists. They are more often that not really aggressive men who will not stop or slow down for anything.
That being said you and your dah were at fault here. I would probably have tried to kick a dog away who was running at me. I would have no idea what the dog’s intentions were.

@SquirrelFeed I recently kicked another dog that had repeatedly tried to attack mine for the third time that week.

Considering it was about 10kgs of poodle wet through and mine are 80kgs and 30kgs respectively is say it got off lightly with my boot up it’s arse and didn’t end up being eaten when mine got sick of it and retaliated.

Much like the OPs dog, it wouldn’t be at any risk of being kicked (or bitten) if the idiot owner had it under control. Stupid poodle woman and her dog still haven’t learnt a lesson though as they were back out today off lead and still as aggressive as ever 🙄

I would class myself as an animal lover but sometimes there’s not much choice other than to respond in the same manner the dog comes at you with!

I don't think anyone is advocating that you just go round and kick random dogs.

But if a dog is chasing you and making you feel threatened, I think it's perfectly okay to use measured force to get them away from you. I say that as a dog owner and dog walker.

Much better for a dog to get a kick than for them to get run over or caught in bike spokes.