Rode Sherman this morning - (Sunday 8/25) and was almost knocked off my bike by a pit bull. A couple and their teenage son were walking 3 pit bulls on the lake loop (1 dog each).  As I passed one dog lunged at me as the owner couldn't control it and it's paw hit the bottom of my leg almost knocking me off my bike.

I definitely let them know how close that was and to keep their dogs off the trail if they can't control it - but you can't fix stupid.

Mecklenburg County Parks and Rec has an all dogs must be on a leash policy and CMPD will cite people with dogs off the leash but I doubt there is anything you can do to keep people accountable unless cops are hanging out on the trails.

I had a dog slip it's owners leash and come after me on the lake loop a few years ago. I stopped because I didn't want to get bitten while I was riding and kept my bike between myself and the dog. The owner couldn't catch the dog and it ended up biting right through my front tire while trying to get to me. She was mortified and was well aware of the leash law but ultimately couldn't control the dog even when it was on a leash. 

She drove me to an ATM and paid me cash for my Maxxis Ardent that was punctured and gave me a ride to the trail head. I think she was trying to keep me from calling the cops. 


From Code 1985, § 3-26; Ord. No. 4501, § 4, 9-13-2010 Section D

(d)Public parks. It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having possession, charge, custody, or control of any dog to take the dog into or allow the dog to enter any public park without being at all times under the restraint of a leash, except while in designated off-leash areas, in accordance with the rules and regulations pertaining to such off-leash areas. This subsection shall not apply to the following:(1)Parks that have been designated as leash-free parks by the governmental agency responsible for the park.(2)Guide and hearing-aid dogs that are in the company of blind or deaf persons or being trained for such purposes.(3)Dogs employed or hired by law enforcement agencies or by the governmental agency responsible for the park to perform a governmental purpose within the park.