On Dec. 4, I was riding my bicycle up Missionary Ridge road when I was attacked and bitten by an unrestrained dog. I was riding up the road while a woman was coming down on foot with two dogs. Neither dog was on a leash. She made no attempt to call the dogs back as they came charging toward me. One of the dogs attacked me and bit me on the leg. Although I was wearing two layers of tights, the bite still punctured my leg.
It wasn’t until I screamed “your dog just bit me” that she made any attempt to control it. She assured me that it was OK because the dog had its rabies shot. I want her to know that it was definitely not OK. I got her contact information and then she left. I waited about 40 minutes to make sure the dogs were gone, then rode down and drove myself to the emergency room.
I was prescribed antibiotics and a tetanus shot. Due to her unwillingness to control her dogs, I now need to suffer through a course of antibiotics, to which I’m severely allergic.
Although this is the first time I’ve been bitten, I have been attacked by unrestrained dogs three times in the last two years. This happened twice while Nordic skiing at Vallecito and once while hiking on a local trail. I live in town where there is a leash law. Twice in the last month unrestrained dogs ran into my front yard and attacked my cat, causing him permanent injuries. I’ve been here for 25 years and recently have seen the number of incidents due to irresponsible dog owners skyrocket. The situation has gotten to the point where I’m afraid to participate in any outdoor activity for fear of a dog attack.
When your dog comes charging at me, I have no idea whether or not it’s friendly. Animal Control advised me that in the event this happens again I have some legal options available to protect myself and that I should use them.
Martha Iverson
Durango
