Dogs like to run, and dog lovers like to let them. Still, I was surprised to see a pack of dogs running toward me as I rode my bike home from work on Monday. I take the bike path north along the Chicago River.
To those dogs, I must have seemed like a big rabbit, zipping along.
I heard voices shouting, “Come back, doggie!” “Stop!” “Heel!” “Bad dog!”
(Translation: Don’t eat that nice lady on her bicycle.)
Lucky for me, I ride faster than dogs can run.
But it wasn’t a pleasant experience–a pack of dogs racing toward me full speed, snapping at my feet, baring teeth. It was so traumatizing that I’m still talking about it days later.
What If I had been a child or an adult unable to ride fast enough?
I shudder.
What should a biker do–punish an errant dog with a can of Mace? The dog is only doing what dogs do. As a former dog owner, I like dogs very much and do find them educable, but humans are more so, I think.
Dog owners who feel they must liberate their canines can change–if they would only snap out of denial.
The message for all dog owners out there is simple: You are not being good to your dogs by letting them run loose; rather, you are endangering the dog and others. Find a better way for them to shake the lead out. Maybe run or bike with Rover on the leash, or find someone else to exercise him.
Whatever you do, wake up–before you find yourself responsible for something you wish your dog hadn’t done.
