Cyclist asks for consideration on shared use paths after garotting with extendable dog lead

Without commenting on this particular case, it should be common sense never to jog or cycle between an owner and their dog. A dog's natural response is to go towards the owner, so even if you don't get caught in a lead you're asking to cross paths with the dog.

Like guns, retractable leads aren't dangerous until you put them in the wrong hands. They usually have a ratchet/lock on them so you can reel-in an unruly dog.

Although, I seem to recall reading in one of my employer's study paper last week that on public paths, etc. dogs should/must be kept on a short lead, (which is upto 2m in length). I might have to have another look at the study paper when I'm in work tomorrow.

I'ma dog owner and a cyclist.
Extendible leads are useless in terms of controlling dogs, since you can't grip or use the thin and dangerous portion of the leash, and are only useful for owners who are terrified their dogs will run away if allowed off the leash.
If you don't trust your dog, get it trained - an extendible leash is an admission you can't trust your dog.

I use a national cycle path (99, Comber Greenway) in Northern Ireland for commuting everyday. It is used by dog walkers. Most keep their dogs on a short lead and under control. However, there are a small minority who, I reckon, intentionally let their dogs block my path by running loose. On Friday, I had to swerve and brake to avoid hitting a dog darting all over the path; the dog walker then hit me with his lead ! Words were exchanged, but it became clear he was not willing to share the path and provide a clear space to pass. This is the second assault in a year by a dog walker under similar circumstances. A video camera is now essential for my daily commute. I find long leads are marginally better, as the dog walker has no excuse for the dog blocking the path. As far as licensed dogs; the Belfast/Castlereagh dog warden is unwilling to control the dog owners or use the legislation available to reduce the accident hazard they are imposing. Cities throughout the UK seem to be trying to encourage cycling via Boris bikes and pseudo cycle paths, yet not putting in place safe infrastructure to cycle.
UPDATE - Monday morning 07:20 11/5/15 - same dog walker, dog loose again, still no lead and shrugs when asked why his dog is not on the lead. What is the solution to this irresponsible attitude ?

often come across these long leads when out and about in fact much more often than see a dog on a traditional short lead; dog or dogs on one side of road, owner on the other side, lead stretched across road, and this is on actual roads, not paths or trails so they are sharing road with bikes, walkers, cars, motorbikes. Don't understand why dogs can't 'experience their world' on same side of road as their owner.

As a runner and a cyclist I hate those extendable leads. If your dog pulls on the lead when you walk them the solution is to learn how to control your pet and train them to walk to heel; not simply to give them more and more lead. It's called a lead for a reason -- you lead your dog around, you decide where to go.

Must have been the size of a horse or a Great Dane.

If any dog owner had done this to me, they would have been strangled in return.

Another thing that will be banned when im in charge!!! Possibly a recumbant cyclist?

We take our dogs out on extendables. We watch what's happening and reel them in when kids / other dogs / bikes / scooters etc come down the shared path

Not rocket science. Like most things, common sense needs to be applied, rather than hysterical banning orders.

The dog-owner in question was clearly anti-social, from his response. I’d like to add a few comments in defence of dogs though. It’s pretty common in discussions like this to see people advocating “dogs should never be allowed to run off the lead outside of private gardens” or, as here “dogs should never be on long leads”. I don’t class myself as a dog-lover, but my wife bought a dog, so I share responsibility for the dog and care for her welfare and well-being. When out on a walk, dogs love to sniff at all the scents along the verges - that’s how they experience the world (their sense of smell is hundreds of times better than ours), and long leads make it possible for them to get a little ahead of, or slightly behind their owner as they walk along. They are very practical, used sensibly. Equally, when in the fields and woods near our village, when away from livestock or small children, I let our dog off the lead for a run - just like a good fast ride is good for us cyclists, a run it’s clearly good for her and she loves it.

Life drained of all risk is impossible, impoverished (for dogs as well as people) and not a sensible thing to aim for. Yes, long-leads *can* be dangerous as above, and dogs can bite people or chase livestock, just as we cyclists *can* be a menace to others. Responsible owners try to be sensible when and where they use long leads or none. But please give a thought to dogs, and understand why they may be on long leads or running free, before calling for over-zealous restrictions on their freedoms.

Used correctly there is nothing wrong with an extendable lead. I have a 15m horse's lunge lead i use for my monster and never had a problem with a cyclist as i use it correctly.

(duplicate post deleted, sorry)

As a dog walker and cyclist,
1 I urge cyclist to make themselves known before passing, knowing you are there in good time is best.

2 most dog walkers will look out for cyclists

3 remember shared use paths such as towpaths are hardly ideal cyclepaths. Caution is always needed.

As a dog walker and cyclist,
1 I urge cyclist to make themselves known before passing, knowing you are there in good time is best.

2 most dog walkers will look out for cyclists

3 remember shared use paths such as towpaths are hardly ideal cyclepaths. Caution is always needed.

I have wondered before whether these could be challenged with the law as is.

Technically, a dog doesn't have to be on a lead, but it must be "under control". In the same way that leaving a child in control of a large dog has been established to fail the "under control" test, surely the same should be true in this case and others. If a dog is creating a hazard on a shared path, it's obviously not under sufficient control.

Alternatively, can someone hit the owners, manufacturers or retailers selling these with an almighty civil damages case for injury.

I rode the Tour of Yam Yam today many people with dogs and all of them considerate owners. As a dog owner echo above and you can do little about bloody idiots

how bloody big was the dog? or was the rider on one of those clown bikes?

Speaking as a dog owner (i am actually..) All dog owners to carry Id plates, and be taxed, insured and trained!

Like everything most owners are Ok, but a good number are just fricking oblivious. I often come across them with lead stretched like a washing line. Fave has to be the one with 2. Muttley 1 was in bushes at one side having a dump & Muttley 2 on the other side. Only clue in the half light was the guy's arms being at 45'.

Thing is I have never seen sustrans guidance telling dog owners about their leads other than using one, but plenty of spouting about inconsiderate cyclists. I sometimes think the C in NCN stands for Canine, not cycle.

It's not just limited to the paths, I have seen stupid dog owners be like that on roads as well. It's not fair on the dog & they think they're animal lovers

Certainly a hazard. I cycle through Sutton Park fairly regularly and it is not unusual to come across a group of people chatting in the road whilst ignoring their dog leads stretching into the bushes. This is actually on a signposted cycle route.
Broadly speaking, if a dog needs to be on a lead, then it needs to be kept close. In my experience, dogs on leads cause far more problems than dogs off the lead.