P.S. Mike: Good luck Buddy, I’ll be praying for you.

Isn’t it an ironic twist of fate that Michael Hart was incarcerated and his freedom stripped away, almost like the Freedom Fighters of the past, who sought justice in generally an unjust environment? Could it be that Michael Hart has been ringing the justice bell for animal control laws in Brown County a little too loudly for those citizens and officials of Brown County who have not been too welcoming of the Underground Railroad bicycle route as a tourist and cycling destination for outside citizens of all persuasions who wish to enjoy this historic passage without the fear of an unknown\unfamiliar canine(s) impeding their trek?

Remember, it is extremely easy to demonize someone when only one aspect is portrayed to play on the consciousness of the uninformed. Be careful Brown County with regards to how you wish to pursue justice with Michael Hart’s felony intimidation and unlawful restraint. The Underground Railroad bicycle route is and will forever be a historic path in and through this community for all people of all races, creed, color, ethnic background, sexual orientation or religion. It is the responsibility of Brown County to provide safe passage and protect the integrity of this historic trail for those wanting to experience this one-of-a-kind landmark.

I hope there are many who applaud Michael Hart’s insistence for animal control laws to be enforced by those who are in positions of community leadership that took an oath to protect and serve its citizens and patrons of Brown County. I shudder to think what kind of light would be shined on Brown County if Michael Hart was a person of color and demonstrated the same advocacy for animal control and wound up incarcerated. It is without question that there would be several organizations that would have an interest if that were the case. The question now is – how do you know that these same organizations are not watching from afar to see how this case turns out?

Good luck – to you both!

On day I stopped for the last time. While out on Old 32 a couple miles east out of town two dogs I had seen but never had come out. There is a long bend in the road and it turned away from where the dogs were coming. There was no chance of out running them, they had a good jump and with the bend in the road I had to cover more distance then they did. So I stopped. Both dogs got me before I was able to get of my bike. I finally got my bike between them and me and the farmer who’s front yard I was in come out and ran them off. He gave me a ride home. In the end I had an open wound just below my calf that was big enough to put a cigarette lighter into, and some small punctures just below by butt. They did not get into anything vital, but there was the warning that the scar tissue depending on what it did might cause problems with my calf muscle. Luckily it never caused and issues. All that remains are the scars that have gotten smaller over the years.

There was one dog sometime a coupe of dogs on Bodman near 32 I will never forget. They chased me for years. That one was my biggest fear, he just seemed too aggressive and he could run longer than any dog I have even seen for his size. Coming from Old 32 was easy there was a tree line so I had the jump on him. Coming from the north was a different story. Many of times it was to close for me. He would be close enough to bite. I always figured the faster my legs were moving the harder time he has in getting me. Cars always made this dog more difficult. Being after was bitten, I try to use the cars to my advantage. This just pissed the drivers off at me. One time the dog all most got hit. I was getting better and aiming the dog at the cars. The driver jumped all over me and after I explained the situation he actually when to the house. Nothing changed.

These are the two most extreme experiences I had out there. There were at least 20 guaranteed chasers back then. Then there were some sometimes they come out some times they would not and finally surprises. To this day many of those place I have not forgotten.

My sister was attacked and nearly killed by a chow when we lived in Mt. Orab. This dog had a history of biting others. This we knew because it was an in-laws dog. My mom tried for a good amount of time to get the dog put down. The in-laws being connected to the right people in county government, no less, were able to avoid anything ever being done about it. They were never even told to restrain the dog. So the dog ran loose for years after-wards. That dog went on to bite at least one more kid we heard of.

I am trying to find the pictures still.

Needless to say in Brown County dogs have more protection than kids let alone cyclist when you know the right people.

Tim

So many people watch the parade, what a great venue to spread the word.