Re: Bad dog!

Don't they have leash laws where you are?  Here in Austin all dogs are required
to be on leashes when outdoors.  Dogs that mess with me get their owners
reported to the city, and a nice stiff fine.  M9

"Governor Breck" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> I've been walking a good, strenuous 3.5 miles a day and it's been
> doing me a world of good. For example, I can now run up several
> flights of stairs at work without gettig winded. Trouble is,
> there's a dog on my route who thinks he's the alpha and I'm the
> beta. Most of the time the owner is around to call him off, but I
> did get bit once (I was wearing heavy gloves and it didn't break
> the skin) and several times, there's been nobody around. I've taken
> to hollering at the dog ("Bad dog!" and "Get away!") and I now know
> the dog's name ("Bocce"...is there any wonder why he has a chip on
> his shoulder?) so I can use that. But what are my other options?
> I've thought of pepper spray, but I've heard that if the animal is
> hurt, then I would be liable. Plus, I don't want to start a war of
> escalation that winds up with some crazy redneck poisoning my
> altogether easygoing dogs.
>
> So, what are my options? A coworker mentioned carrying dog treats,
> but wouldn't that just reinforce the animal's behavior? My Dad said
> to carry a soda can full of pennies, but somehow I don't think that
> would disuade this creature. Frankly, if I had my druthers, I'd
> pepper spray the owner but I don't think the State of Vermont would
> look too kindly on that. Does anyone else have any ideas?
> Thanks!
> --
> Governor Breck
> governor_breck at yahoo dot com