Normally I try to post these entries from a cyclist's point of view, but cycling season is over for me, and running season has started. I still video record my runs because . . . well, you never know when something might happen.
Something that "happens" whether cycling or running is dogs. I find barking dogs annoying, but bearable. When I'm running, I even carry liver treats with me so I can make friends with the canines along my routes, so that they will look forward to seeing me instead of howling like I'm the Devil incarnate.
I've had a few unleashed dogs run at me when I've been cycling, but I was always moving too quickly to be seriously threatened. As a pedestrian, though, unleashed dogs are another whole level of threat. I understand that sometimes a dog will unintentionally get loose . . . well, unintentionally from the owner's viewpoint, anyway, but walking your dog without a leash?
That's stupid.
And illegal.
We have a law because it's stupid thing to do.
There are designated off-leash parks in Winnipeg where owners can slip the collars off and allow their dogs to run free . . . but on a multi-use path or sidewalk? What kind of selfish, stupid, irresponsible pet owner does that?
Cue today's idiot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb1Hrhk9TlQ&feature=youtu.be
Yes, I "unleashed" a bad word - and I'm not proud of that - but I'm relieved to be safe and sound.
I don't care how well-trained your dog is: they are hunting animals. They will chase things: birds . . . rodents . . . cats . . . small children . . . and, apparently, pedestrians, not because they're bad dogs, but because it's just the doggy thing to do. I don't believe that there really is any such thing as bad dogs, anyway; there are only bad dog-owners - otherwise known on this blog as idiots.
