Motorbikes and Thai Dogs - How Big A Hazard?

Post by **MrPlum** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:26 pm

I have to admit to my heart in my mouth every time I pass a Thai dog while on my motorbike. Law of averages says one must take a chunk out of me eventually.

Anyone have any stories to chill the blood or gladden the heart?

Post by **DawnHRD** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:19 pm

The dogs usually come off worst, if that's any consolation. Have 4 paraplegics* here (5 actually, but one was caused by dogs) who'll testify to that.

*Oh, and a 3 legged one & one with a flayed paw.

Post by **Vital Spark** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:09 pm

I'm with Dawn - dogs generally don't bite unless they feel that they're being threatened. I assume that you're bigger than them, and they really don't want to eat you.

Parahandy and I used to ride a tandem around Nakhon Pathom. A few brave dogs thought that we were fair game, and it was a game! If we had time, we'd just stop and the dog would scuttle back into the nearest safe haven. I remember one time when we were late for work and a huge Rottweiler decided that my ankles might be fun to bite. I put my feet on the cross-bar and he was smacked by the pedal under his jaw. No real damage done, just loss of face (and possibly an aching jaw) for him.

Doggie biscuits in the basket (if you have one) could be a good bet - just toss them out to the mutts. Mind you, you could end up like the Pied Piper with a hoard of hungry hounds following behind...

VS

Post by **MrPlum** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:58 pm

I incurred 400UKP worth of damage to my brand new VFR 750 after a Doberman shot out of a yard and I abandoned ship rapidly and launched myself into a ditch.

Owner was fullsome with her apologies until I showed her the bill.

The dogs here do seem calmer than the UK's 'devil dogs'. Must the heat or the Buddhism. Like the biscuits idea.

Post by **Paderborn** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:31 pm

One of the buggars took a bite at my pillion passenger a few weeks ago, as we were trundleing down the road at the side of the railway track.
The material that her clothing was made of saved her... It was a mean mouthsized bruise but thankfully no broken skin...

Once more... it happened again shortly after, almost in the same place... but I don't think it was the same dog!
I revved up and was off, quick style, as soon as it moved towards us.... If I had not been anticipating this then goodness know what the outcome would be!!!!!
She must have tasty legs

Post by **PeteC** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:47 pm

Paderborn wrote:One of the buggars took a bite at my pillion passenger a few weeks ago, as we were trundleing down the road at the side of the railway track.
The material that her clothing was made of saved her... It was a mean mouthsized bruise but thankfully no broken skin...

Once more... it happened again shortly after, almost in the same place... but I don't think it was the same dog!
I revved up and was off, quick style, as soon as it moved towards us.... If I had not been anticipating this then goodness know what the outcome would be!!!!!
She must have tasty legs

Not to put a damper on the good outcome, I hope a medical pro made the determination that the skin was not broken. Just a bit and the saliva gets in, and the dog is rabid, your friend will have grave problems. I hope she got checked out. My understanding is that the rabies shots are in the arm now, and not nearly as painful or disabilitating as the old method in the stomach. Pete

Post by **lomuamart** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:19 pm

On numerous occasions, I've been out on Petchkasem Road waiting for a motorcycle taxi. There's a pack of dogs that seem to have made a roadside restaurant their home. One little one is clearly crazy. It will rush into the road barking and snapping at any motorcycle that passes.
The result is that nearly every bike swerves out towards the middle of the road. That's just great if any vehicle is closely passing you from behind.
Never have seen anyone get knocked over yet, but there have been some close scrapes. I warn my eventual taxi rider of the potential danger a few yards ahead

Post by **buksida** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:05 pm

Aside from other drivers dogs are my pet hate (scuse the pun) when on the bike. Can't recall how many times I've stopped and gone back to throttle the beast - of course then they run a mile and aren't so brave.

Sorry to the animal activists here but my life (and my passengers) is worth more than a feral soi dog.

Post by **Vital Spark** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:44 am

MrPlum wrote:I incurred 400UKP worth of damage to my brand new VFR 750 after a Doberman shot out of a yard and I abandoned ship rapidly and launched myself into a ditch.

I guess a pooden (poodle) basket packed with doggy biscuits on the front of a VRF750 would look rather silly.

I do sometimes wonder about the mentality of these dogs. We drive to work in a metal box, but there's one dog who is determined to bite the front tyres. He launches himself from the side of a pretty deserted road, and one day he's going to get hit by something coming the other way. Is it the noise of the engine, or the spinning wheels?

I certainly sympathise with those of you who have been chased, and/or bitten by dogs trying to (I guess) protect their territory - it ain't a nice experience. However, the one thing that I've seen Thais do which guarantees a bite is sticking a leg out to kick the dog - it just doesn't work, and usually ends up in disaster.

Just as an aside. I've never seen a rabid dog in Thailand. Is it really necessary to get rabies jabs if you're bitten by a dog - or are the hospitals slightly paranoid?

VS

Post by **Randy Cornhole** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:01 am

I have never had a problem whilst riding a motorbike as you can usually outrun the buggers. You should try it while out cycling though!!! Its a lot more hairy...

Post by **Paderborn** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:40 am

You can't always outrun these savage beasts. It depends on the state of the road.
If it is dark, pitted with potholes or it has rained recently and you are slowly trying to navigate your way through the puddles usual crap, then you could be in real trouble!!!!!

Post by **Randy Cornhole** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 5:18 am

Awww, hello boy fancy a biscuit...

Post by **MrPlum** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:08 am

Randy. You bugger. I'm never leaving my house again.

Post by **migrant** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:31 am

Randy Cornhole wrote: You should try it while out cycling though!!! Its a lot more hairy...

Maybe a new style workout video, "sweatin with the soi dogs"

Spitfire · Post by **Spitfire** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:18 pm

I have noticed how a lot of the Thais deal with this problem, mostly the young Thai guys, and that is to learn how to kick the offending dog with one of the legs.

Don't mean to offend the dog fans, just an observation.

In my experience of bike riding, I'm not to worried about being bitten because, as said, you can usually out-run them, what worries me is actually one getting caught under the bike. I have seen this happen many times and it always ends up with people on the deck, it's OK if you're on a big dirt bike, can probably just bounce it through, but on a scooter?

Beware the dogs that hang out on the side of the road outside the owners place that just incessently bark at and chase cars, they're the ones to watch.