Leash Laws

For the second time this month, I suppose since it has finally been warm out, I have been a victim of leash law violations. No I was not attacked, thanks for a sliver of obedience, but I have had some nervous encounters with loose dogs.

First off, both encounters were at night on park paths. Specifically the stretch between Irving park and Wrigley along the cemetery and along the river/canal north of Lawrence. I can understand a dog walkers mentality, ' No one is out, dog can go Sh*t and we're back inside'. But on both occasions the dogs were uncontrolled by the owner. Two Instances
First happened coming South along the river. Scott and I are riding side by side on an empty path. We see a women with a dog to the left side in the park. As we roll further on one of the curves, in the bushes on the right we see another animal, a dog which is now excited by our presence and proceeds to run into the middle of the path jumping like spike's buddy in a WB cartoon. Scott misses entirely but the dog jumps in front of me to the left, and I am pushed off in to the grass pulling moves I normally save for a treacherous rock garden on my 29er. After visions of my 23c's slicing this dog in twain, we joke as we cruise down the path further home, the silence only interrupted by our laughter. That was a close call. What happens when I run over the dog running amuck. Sued by the yuppie who can afford the lawyer to avenge the death of schnook-ums at the hand of the unruly biker punk. I assume leash laws are in effect, but the arrogance of some people leads me to believe it wouldn't stop them.
Second story: Tonight riding home along Seminary, I encounter three people all with dogs congregating in the entrance space near the playground. I immediately slow down so as not to cause a commotion. One dog was on a leash, well behaved, the owner moved over to let me by. The other two dogs got excited. Now when I approached I did not blow pass them, but as the dogs excited, I slowed down further as if coming to a trackstand, giving the owners a chance to control the dogs. One just jumped around, but a Boxer began to give chase up the path. As I heard the dog approach, I began to slow down and dismount. I ride on trails often and have encountered many horses; I respect the unbreakable part of an animal. The boxer began to stand and bark at me as the owner attempted to yell for her to come back. I played nice standing, doing the stupid shit people do to get the animals attention. Eventually the boxer moved back to the owner . Guess I can go home now. Soon after down the path the Boxer named Bella is again flanking me, less interested she runs away after I stop. Again I proceed and am met by Bella as I come to the end of the path at Grace. The owner is far in the distance. I ride on never making a reaction. After each episode I consider ranting at the irresponsible owner, but can't imagine what that would do. I envision him as a meat-head, the same way he assumes me to be the prick biker that made him chase down his dog. Either way, The trouble a simple rope could have saved is monumental.
Long story short. I would love for one of these dogs to actually attack me. big whoop, a few dog bites... sounds like a payday for me. But on the verse, I wouldn't want to be at the shit end of a frivolous lawsuit blaming me for Sparky's broken toe.

I don't have a grand thesis to this post other than to get it out of my head and see what other's experiences may be. I usually wouldn't have a problem with unleashed dogs, it would be nice to think we can just let our animals run loose, but apparently it's not safe for anyone or anything involved. I do however believe that I shouldn't have to be chased 300 yards by a mutt. It's just a rope people, get a long one