Chased by Two Large Dogs

Heading to Lynchburg’s Blackwater Creek Trail trailhead at Linkhorne MS but going a different way since last time I went through the Humankind property I was chased by two large wolfhounds! Just documenting this new route.

[@64buffer]

So glad you made it out of the dog situation okay! This is why I’m a cat person. You don’t have to worry about cats chasing you down and attacking you, unless like a mountain lion they’re big enough to eat you. They’re my kind of animal, only coming around when they want food or a massage or a sunny/warm spot to sleep in. The number of dogs on my street has increased exponentially since the pandemic and now I’m surrounded. One is frequently off leash now and aggressive, so I’m scared every time I get the mail, and I’ve curbed the time I spend outside. If there was such a thing as a dog-free neighborhood my husband and I would be VERY tempted. Sick of the barking and feeling like we’ve always got to watch our backs.

[@bikerjohn]

A technique for quelling aggressive dogs when encountered on my bike rides is to talk to the animals as they chase me. The typical conversation often starts with the aggressive animal greeting me with barks and the chase begins. I return the conversation with baby talk like "Hi! Oh, you're such a beauty!' and "Who's the good puppy? You are!"

[@BillBooz]

Nice idea, John, but, quite frankly, I think I prefer the Halt! spay or squirt gun ideas better than stopping and having a sit down chat with an unfamiliar dog that’s showing its teeth!

[@wendypriest-singleton5098]

So did you get a video of the dogs chasing you?

[@BillBooz]

No, damn it! I usually have my camera running but didn’t that day. From now on, when not making a shareable video, I’ll have my Insta360 X3 set to “loop” so it acts like a dash cam. Locals, however, have identified the dogs and their nearby owners. They are not vicious but, apparently, out of control. Owners live in nearby neighborhood (Peakland Place) and have little control over them. They are Scottish Deerhounds.

[@marthatriplett554]

Owners fault, not the dogs, next time carry treats,

[@BillBooz]

@@marthatriplett554, interesting, I thought about that. This is, however, the first time this has happened to me in riding through Lynchburg (VA) neighborhoods. Good idea, though. Thanks.