When bike riding and a dog attacks what can I do?

[Guest nancy]

I've decided to carry my .22 with ratshot. I was bit once last year and do not want that to occur again.

[Guest canynracer]

go-go gadget smokescreen!!!

just kidding...pepper spray works!!

[Guest nancy]

"pepper spray works!!"

sure, if the dog is standing still. The dog that bit me was not so obliging. He had lovely red pepper spray on his side.

[mdmoseley]

I almost had to shoot a pitbull one day while riding. Fortunately the owner stepped out on the porch just as he was about to make it to the road. I had already started reaching for my pistol though just incase he did keep coming. Alot of dogs I probably wouldn't worry about espcially if they are going for my right leg. They will just get a mouthful of metal (prosthetic leg). Let them bite it and bust them in the ribs as hard as I can with my left leg. A pitbull though I'm not messing around with.

[dariks]

TN has a statewide leash law.

44-8-408. Dogs not allowed at large — Exception — Penalties. —

(a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, “owner†means a person who, at the time of the offense, regularly harbors, keeps or exercises control over the dog, but does not include a person who, at the time of the offense, is temporarily harboring, keeping or exercising control over the dog.

( The owner of a dog commits an offense if that dog goes uncontrolled by the owner upon the premises of another without the consent of the owner of the premises or other person authorized to give consent, or goes uncontrolled by the owner upon a highway, public road, street or any other place open to the public generally.

© It is an exception to the application of this section that:

(1) The dog was on a hunt or chase;

(2) The dog was on the way to or from a hunt or chase;

(3) The dog was guarding or driving stock or on the way to guard or drive stock;

(4) The dog was being moved from one place to another by the owner of the dog;

(5) The dog is a police or military dog, the injury occurred during the course of the dog's official duties and the person injured was a party to, a participant in or suspected of being a party to or participant in the act or conduct that prompted the police or military to utilize the services of the dog;

(6) The violation of subsection ( occurred while the injured person was on the private property of the dog's owner with the intent to engage in unlawful activity while on the property;

(7) The violation of subsection ( occurred while the dog was protecting the dog's owner or other innocent party from attack by the injured person or an animal owned by the injured person;

(8) The violation of subsection ( occurred while the dog was securely confined in a kennel, crate or other enclosure; or

(9) The violation of subsection ( occurred as a result of the injured person disturbing, harassing, assaulting or otherwise provoking the dog.

(d) The exception to the application of this section provided in subdivisions ©(1)-(4) shall not apply unless the owner in violation of subsection ( pays or tenders payment for all damages caused by the dog to the injured party within thirty (30) days of the damage being caused.

(e) It is not a defense to prosecution for a violation of subsection ( and punished pursuant to subdivision (g)(1), (g)(2) or (g)(3) that the dog owner exercised reasonable care in attempting to confine or control the dog.

(f) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution for a violation of subsection ( and punished pursuant to subdivision (g)(4) or (g)(5) that the dog owner exercised reasonable care in attempting to confine or control the dog.

(g) (1) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by fine only.

(2) A violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by fine only if the dog running at large causes damage to the property of another.

(3) A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by fine only if the dog running at large causes bodily injury, as defined by § 39-11-106, to another.

(4) A violation of this section is a Class E felony if the dog running at large causes serious bodily injury, as defined by § 39-11-106, to another.

(5) A violation of this section is a Class D felony if the dog running at large causes the death of another.

(h) Notwithstanding subsection (g), a violation of this section shall be punished as provided in subsection (i) if the violation involves:

(1) A dog that was trained to fight, attack or kill or had been used to fight; or

(2) The owner of the dog violating this section knew of the dangerous nature of the dog and, prior to the violation of this section, the dog had bitten one (1) or more people that resulted in serious bodily injury or death.

(i) A violation of this section, where one (1) or more of the factors set out in subsection (h) are present, shall be punished as follows:

(1) A Class C misdemeanor if the dog running at large does not cause property damage, injury or death;

(2) A Class A misdemeanor if the dog running at large causes damage to the property of another;

(3) A Class E felony if the dog running at large causes bodily injury to another;

(4) A Class D felony if the dog running at large causes serious bodily injury to another; and

(5) A Class C felony if the dog running at large causes the death of another.

[Fallguy]

True.....but as long as the dog stays in the yard they are not running at large. Best wait till they get to the sidewalk or street if you are going to shoot them.

[KahrMan]

Nancy,

What 22 will you be carrying? If the ratshot doesn't deter them it would be nice to be able to put a couple of 22 slugs into them. If it were me, I would have the first two rounds ratshot and the rest regular .22s. Good luck. Hope you don't get bit again.

[Guest nancy]

It is a .22 Colt revolver, 6 rounds, that I've had for a long time, and alternate between ratshot and hollowpoints. It is never been off our property. I like that idea of the first few shots being ratshot and the others different. Tho I must admit, the day the dog came running up to me, teeth bared(which he had done before and when I stopped and yelled at him he did not proceed), I more than likely would not have gone beyond the ratshot. In my mind, it is the owners fault when a dog misbehaves.

Although one other time I was talking to a man who owned two rottweilers and I told him that I felt very uncomfortable with the female(he left her untied a lot). He was holding her and said "Oh no, she just looks mean". O.K. I talked to her, stretched my hand out, leaned over, and she came after me. She was not O.K. and in a future circumstance, if she came out to the road, then I would use deadly force on her. She could do much damage in a short amount of time.

[Guest UKTN]

Nancy

You do have your hand gun permit correct? Otherwise carrying would not be a good idea. I thought there was a law that prohibited the discharge of a firearm within so many feet of a public highway, or I guess that wouldn't apply in a case of self defense.

[gunsablazin]

If there was ever a good use for pepper spray this is it.Trust me it will send them on their way.

[Guest nancy]

Yes, I do have my handgun permit, tho I do not carry it(or my wallet) when I go bike riding.

[Fallguy]

Yes, I do have my handgun permit, tho I do not carry it(or my wallet) when I go bike riding.

I would suggest that if you are going to carry the .22 you have your HCP with you. Otherwise it is illegal to carry even if you have a valid one.

T.C.A. 39-17-1351

(n) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (n)(2), a permit issued pursuant to this section shall be good for four (4) years and shall entitle the permit holder to carry any handgun or handguns that the permit holder legally owns or possesses. The permit holder shall have the permit in the holder's immediate possession at all times when carrying a handgun and shall display the permit on demand of a law enforcement officer.

[Guest TNDixieGirl]

Fall is right. If carrying the gun, the permit must be on you too.

[ZenDog]

And, having been knocked unconscious a couple of times while bicycling, it is a good idea to carry ID, emergency contact info, and insurance info while cycling. I never thought it would happen but it did-- I have had two ambulance trips, two broken helmets.... having the ID and stuff makes it a lot easier for the paramedics and for the ER people.

[Guest nancy]

Carrying id, and info, very good advice. Thanks for the reminder.

[Guest someguy12341]

And, having been knocked unconscious a couple of times while bicycling, it is a good idea to carry ID, emergency contact info, and insurance info while cycling. I never thought it would happen but it did-- I have had two ambulance trips, two broken helmets.... having the ID and stuff makes it a lot easier for the paramedics and for the ER people.

I can't remember the name of the company, and I don't have mine handy, but look in the back of any recent Bicycling magazine, and you'll see an add for a company that makes ID bracelets... It's got emergency contact info, blood type, and any allergies / drug interactions. I don't ride without mine, as I live in Memphis.

[GLOCKMEISTER]

In Tennessee we have a leash law... so if your in fear of your life from a Dog you can use deadly force as long as you are shooting in a responsible way and direction. On a bike... now thats another story, too many what ifs there. Shooting down at the pavement mean you will probably have one bounce up... so be careful of who is behind you.

[Guest nancy]

A package arrived in the mail yesterday, my husband had ordered, unbeknownst to me, a 120 gram(4 1/4 oz) container of MACE brand Pepper Spray, triple action, w/tear gas and UV dye. It has 38 one second bursts, which sounds like plenty to me. He said he found it on some police website and it was reasonably priced. Dogs beware!

Nancy