I began employing the typical assortment of countermeasures, first yelling, emptying water bottles, adding ammonia to the water bottle, HALT pepper spray, rocks, dog whistle, tire pumps (two bent) and boat air horn, all to no avail. I had one or two bites on the shoe but nothing major resulting in loss of control. I did call the county animal control but was told since blood was not drawn, it was not really an issue for them.
Then the big wreck happened. Last September, on the way to work doing about 25 mph, a dog scored a direct hit between the front wheel and the frame, sending the bike and me skidding down the asphalt. No broken bones, but a lot of road rash and busted helmet and bike (the dog was unhurt). Again, since I was not actually bitten, animal control did not pursue the case. However, the dog’s owner did lose about $4000 from a small-claims action.
Back on the bike again, two more dog hits occurred within the following month, one resulting in another crash. Tired of being injured and not really interested in suing half the county, I took some advice from the sheriff and decided to install an ADG system on my bike (Anti-Dog Gun). I researched what guns would be effective in stopping the dogs, especially a big Rottwieler, but not injuring them (my goal being deterrence). I needed something easy to handle, light weight and with multiple rounds (for those big dogfights!) I settled on a Gamo PT-90 CO2 pistol, a 9mm replica. The PT-90 fires .177 lead pellets in an 8-shot clip propelled by a standard CO2 cartridge (dual purpose for those flat tire situations!) It weighs about two pounds and someone good can empty 8 rounds in 2.4 seconds (not me, especially with winter gloves on!).
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