Being chased by dogs

[Will_B]

2 days in a row I've been chased by a pair of dogs that were 'just being freindly'. As soon as I knew they were chasing me I stopped but they continued to bark at me and today one nipped my leg, no blood was drawn.

Despite the owner telling them to come back they weren't interested. She kept apologising and saying 'they should be on a lead' (too bloody right). Maybe I'm being a bit OTT but in the eyes of the law these dogs are out of control and despite what may be a friendly nature, they make me feel like they are out of control and may do me harm.

If this happens again should I -

1) call the police
2) advise that if it happens again I will call the police
3) shrug it off as one of those dangers runners have to live with - no harm done but it could be a child's face next time.

I know I could avoid the area at times concerned, but thats not my perogative, its up to the dog walker to keep their animals under control.

[Dynamo Dan]

What breed were they?

[DrPatrickBarry]

There was actually a thread on this very issue a few months ago that descended into dog lovers defending all dogs against people, like yourself, that had genuine gripes. Cannot remember the thread title something like Dangerous Dogs.
I have been chased and/or bitten countless time when out running or cycling.

[ChevinbyTorchlight]

As a dog owner, my own approach would be:

1: Suggest they keep it on a lead as it's a danger to others
2: If they aren't bothered, i'd tell them I was going to report them to the police
3: Next time, kick the dog as a warning
4: Next time, kick the owner as a final warning!

I take my dog running with me which means dogs don't often have a go at me, but they do have a go at him and it p****s me right off when the owners just aren't bothered. I've decided to employ a more militant attitude in future. My mutt checks out all other runners to see if he knows them, sometimes if he's not sure about them he has a quick woof, never anything more, and he always get brought back to heel and told what's what. No excuse!

[ukhursty]

Yep, a good size 12 to the snout usually sorts them in my experience.

Show them who's boss.

[T'owd lad]

Been bitten by dogs myself a few times, but on a similar note I know someone who was chased for a couple of miles by a very mean looking goat for a couple of miles round Scammonden Dam. It knew all the short cuts, everything. Next days some other runners were asked if they had seen a goat anywhere.

[Lefty]

Get yerself one of those dog scarers, I bought one cheap from Maplin and you can get them online. I got one for when I take a group of juniors out on the hills training and it works.

[Theolneywayisup]

I recently encountered a women with 3 black labs and I soon as she saw me she shouted the name of one of them, clearly knowing that it was going to be a problem. As with you Will B, the dog took no notice and got closer and more aggressive (although in all honesty I wasn't that concerned due to the breed). Eventually a swung a leg at it albeit from too far away to hit it. I have a dog myself and I tend to blame the owner rather than the dog.

The owner and I then had a little discussion. Following my 'kick' :-

Her - 'Well that's just going to make it more likely to bite you'

Me - 'Well keep it under control then'

Her - 'It is under control'

Me - 'So you want it to attack me then'

Her - 'I'm not talking to you any more, you are clearly an idiot'

Didn't really know what to say after that

[DrPatrickBarry]

What is that other thread this is a serious case of Déjà vu!

[Derby Tup]

Some dog discussion here Looks like it might be a compilation of various 'dog threads'