[RetiredArmy]

Actually no. My wife and I ride between 6,500 to 7,500 miles per year. We ride on a lot of back country roads. It is not uncommon for us to have dogs chase us. We have had Rocks, Pits, etc. chase us. I have a dog spray to repel them and sometimes it does not work. Also in the back areas, in the country, there are wild dogs that run loose back there. They take down deer all the time. THUS, WHEN WE RIDE OUT IN THOSE COUNTRY AREAS, I CARRY MY PISTOL IN MY BACK JERSEY POCKET!!! So, it is not UNCOMMON for cyclists to protect themselves from dogs.

[MCF]

Velo dog pistol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velo-dog