Had a bit of a confrontation with a dog owner today, still angry about it!
Was riding the W2 trail today at Afan. Got to the bit where you can decide whether to do the old Darkside descent or the new one when I saw a man and his dog running around at the entrance to the new descent. as I went past them he said “Don’t worry, he’ll only follow you for few seconds then he’ll come back.” The dog did indeed follow me for a bit, but then it followed me a bit further. The owner made two tries at calling it back but to no avail. The dog was darting in and out of the undergrowth and trees so I rode slowly for a minute or so where it suddenly appeared on my right and went between my wheels and off to the right! I stopped and waited for a little bit but it didn’t reappear so I carried on for a few seconds only for it to reappear on the trial running towards me. I tried to shoo it away but it just darted off again. I waited another 30 seconds or so until I couldn’t hear it crashing trough stuff then carried on. As soon as I was up to speed it reappeared again on my left and tried to go between my wheels again. Sadly this time it failed and I rode over it’s rear legs, throwing me off the bike and the dog gave out a yelp but the carried on running around. I got back up and made my way back to the start of that section, still with the dog running around all over the place. I was nearly a mile into the trail at this point but it wiggles around a bit at the start so it wasn’t far to cut through the trees.
Got back to where the owner was, who was totally oblivious to what had happened.
I was still very angry at this point so we ended up having a bit of a stand-off (no swearing surprisingly!) while I put my point across that he should be in control of his dog, especially around other users. He was totally unapologetic and wouldn’t back down, even when I said I had been knocked off, until I said I had actually run over his dog! He then very quickly calmed down and changed his tune completely. He was suddenly apologising for his dog knocking me off and put it on the lead straight away. He then explained that it was a 12-month old springer puppy, as if that made any difference. I was still angry so left after I suggested he get it checked out by a vet. Took me all the way to the Glyncorrwg centre to calm down where I went and told the guys in Skyline Cycles what had happened in case it had happened to other people (the centre reception was shut, as usual). They suggested I message the ranger which I have done but he’s on holiday for a week so that won’t be read for a while.
I’m not saying dogs shouldn’t be in a multi-user forest, just that the owners really need to keep them under control. Whether that is by command or on the lead is dependant on the dog but they need to take other users into consideration. If our paths had crossed on the fireroad then it would have been a different scenario, me stopping while they passed would be the correct action but to knowingly let it run after a bike on a bike only trail is irresponsible. I even like trail dogs, they’re great to watch when they’re properly trained.
Off to calm down now, been a few hours now and I’m still angry. More for the welfare of the dog than me but hopefully I won’t see the owner again.
Oh and before anyone says I’m anti dog I’m not. I like a good dog, wouldn’t own one but they are great animals when properly looked after. Running around parks and playing with kids they are great to watch. It’s certain types of owners I don’t like.
