mark duff
Yes - Unfortunately it is a tough world. In this case for Ivan the dog and
the owner of the K9. We as cyclists have to deal with all types of hazards
on the road. Animals for one are something I think we may over look... on
skyline we have deer, dogs, cats, horses, squirrel and cattle to name a few.
The reason why I list the animals above is, I have had an incident with all
of them. Not all on skyline but all while riding or racing. I was almost
taken out 2 years in a row by cattle and wild mustangs in the dead horse
point stage of Moab stage race. I was grazed by a buck on Flagstaff mountain
while descending one winter and sustained mass road rash and broken ribs. 6"
to my right and I would have been history. My point animals be it domestic
or wild show up in the worst of places at the most inopportune times.
But back to Ivan and the dog. I'm sorry for the injuries that Ivan sustained
and I wish him a speed recovery. I know the dog must be sorry, if it's a
smart one. And after getting clobbered with a bike will most likely never
chase anything again. The owner should be FURIOUS with them selves for
letting this happen. IF the owner is responsible they will pay all bills
medical and bike related to Ivan. As they rightful should. But I stress
responsible! Adding insult to injure they will most likely get fined by
animal control and the incident go on the animals record.
But to say that the dog be put down! No! It can only be put down if it has
been documented with animal control, that this particular dog has done this
on more than one occasion. If not it's a fine and a mark against this
animals existence, usually 3 strikes and your out. Then the dog gets
destroyed. It's a tough situation for all involved. Weather this is the dog
that got Steve we will only know if it was reported.
Again wishing you the best in recovery Ivan.
Mark Duff
Because if an animal is out of control and is injuring people using a
public throughfare, and the owner of the animal hasn't done anything about
it, then the animal needs to be eliminated for the safety of the public.
Its a tough world. Unfortunately, some people own animals and don't take
care of them very well. Too bad for those animals. There is (at this very
moment) a Wildebeast in Africa getting eaten alive by a pack of Hyenas, for
example. Its not fair, but thats life.
The suggestion of putting the animal down is a realistic solution to a
serious problem. Your response (kill the owner) is not realistic, its just
rhetoric.
Fact is that a dog running loose attacking cyclists could easily result in
the death of people AND the animal. To prevent this, you might just have
to be proactive and eliminate the animal.
Scott
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