In the event you are involved directly or indirectly in an accident with a dog, the following things should be done immediately (other than the first aid of course).

1. Identify the owner of the dog.2. Call the local police and report the accident and request (demand) that an officer come to the site of the accident.

3. Some localities have leash laws but in absence, state law applies. It states that dogs must be leashed or otherwise in control by their owner. If not, the owner is guilty of allowing a dog to run at large.

4. If you identify the owner, request their Homeowners Insurance information.

5. If the owner is charged, and the police will be hard pressed to not charge them considering the dog is running at large on state roads, the insurance company will not have much wiggle room.

6. Go to court when the owner is brought before the court.

CALL THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY. THEY WILL NOT CHARGE AN OWNER AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND IT’S IMPORTANT THAT THE WITNESSESS ARE THERE TO BACK UP THE STORY. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, INSURE THAT ALL INVOLVED UNDERSTAND THE DOG RAN INTO THE CYCLIST(S), AND NOT THAT THE CYCLISTS RAN INTO THE DOG!! IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE FAULT AND BLAME FOR THE ACCIDENT IS THAT THE DOG HIT THE CYCLIST AND WAS RUNNING AT LARGE, NOT THAT THE CYCLIST SHOULDN’T HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD OR SHOULD HAVE DONE BETTER AT AVOIDING THE ACCIDENT.