Norman wrote:
On Nov 14, 2:26*am, wrote:
* *I continue to try to recoup damages for dog/bike accident I was in
last year. *A dog ran in front of me, causing me to swerve and crash. *
But the dog owner's insurance people are laying the blame on me,
claiming that I was riding too fast (I was doing about 15 mph), lost
control even though the dog was thirty feet away from me, fishtailed for
sixty feet (really, that's what they're saying!), and finally went down.
* *So I thought I'd solicit the experiences of others here who may have
had run-ins with dogs, which might have caused a crash or injury, or in
which you were able to avoid the dog.
* *Anyone have a story they'd like to share?

Dogs, as predators, are hardwired to chase fast-
moving things. This instinct is very useful when
subsumed into herding behaviour, and very dif-
ficult to overcome when mounted on a bicycle,
because if the dog sees that you are not attacking
him, he is compelled to pursue. The only fool-
proof method that I know of (having tried water,
shouting "no", etc etc) is 280 grains of plumbum
applied carefully to the skull of the animal in
question. Applicators do vary, so be familiar
with the one you choose, & remember that the
irate owner may inadvertently request that a
similar application be applied to him. Make
sure you have a good excuse.

I appreciate the advice to seek legal redress in this case. I have
retained a prominent local legal firm that specializes in accident
cases. The case is still in the negotiating phase, and I'm not
particularly eager to see it go all the way to court. I have little
doubt that I'd win, but court can take a LONG time.
My OP was motivated by a letter from the dog owner's insurance
company that my attorney copied to me. I have already written back
pointing out how the dog owner's claims violate everything from common
sense to the laws of physics. (It's clear that neither the insurance
person nor the dog owner knows anything significant about riding a
bike.) I also mentioned the canine predatory instinct. I also pointed
out that the dog should not have been out there unleashed, period. And
I said that it seems an odd coincidence that I have ridden that route
literally 1000 times before without a problem, but suddenly would
coincidentally crash just when the dog happened to be there.
Clearly the dog owner is liable. In fact, since he's insured I don't
know why he feels motivated to try and stonewall like this. What I'm
looking for is anecdotes like thirty-six's about other, preferably
experienced, cyclists, who have been injured because of an unrestrained
dog's persuit/harassment/attack behavior.
My thanks for all the responses so far. Anybody else got something
to chip in? If nothing else, I'd happy to tally up some votes about my
speed. Is 15 mph too fast to keep a bike under control? (I know, I
know, but I'm asking for YOUR opinions.)


Bill


__o | Roads aren't for cars. They're for people.
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