Nashville Bikers attacked by Stray Dogs

By NANCY DEVILLE • The Tennessean

Several Sylvan Park residents are concerned about their safety and that of their pets after several cyclists were mauled by a pack of dogs roaming the area.

It’s a big concern for Leslie Keffer, who was recently attacked on Charlotte Avenue near 40th Avenue North while riding her bicycle home from work. She tried unsuccessfully to outrun the pack of eight dogs, but was bitten three times during the chase, she said. “They had my bike surrounded, and I was just terrified and thought I was going to die,” she said. “I’m not scared of dogs, but I’m scared to be in my neighborhood at night on a bike or on foot without a weapon. I just don’t feel safe.”As a result of the attack, Keffer’s leg required stitches, a tetanus shot and a series of rabies vaccinations. The incident has also left her financially strapped, because she says she was forced to fork over thousands of dollars for medical treatment. While her bicycle is her only means of transportation, Keffer said she’s forced to take taxicabs or hitch a ride. She plans to buy some pepper spray for when she gets ready to start riding her bike again. Like many neighbors, Keffer remains on guard and hopes Metro can do something to rid the neighborhood of the problem. “I know seven to eight people that have made complaints to Metro Animal Control, and people are still getting bit,” she said.“Even if it’s not the same group of dogs, there is a stray problem with dogs chasing and trying to bite people. I moved into Sylvan Park because it was a safe neighborhood, but now it doesn’t feel so safe.”

Carl Polgar has also been bitten by what he assumes is the same pack of dogs that attached Keffer and recently another cyclist. He was bitten once while riding his bike on Nebraska Avenue. And again once he slowed down after he thought he outran the dogs. “Most of these incidents are happening at night, and these dogs are less likely to be out during the day,” he said. “If there’s no one that can act on it at night, then it’s kind of useless.”

Brent Hager, director of Environment Health Services for Metro Health, said Animal Control officers started patrolling the area Thursday and have not seen any strays.
He said officers would continue to patrol the neighborhood for the next several days.
“This is not a common problem,” Hager said. “Most of the time dogs will chase the bikes but won’t attack.” “We would like to set some traps, if there is someone in the area that is willing to let us do that,” Hager said. “They are really quite successful.”