OFF-LEAD DOG SPARKS HORROR BIKE SMASH:

A CYCLIST who was seriously injured when a dog ran in front of his bike in an on-leash area wants authorities to crack down on careless owners.

Newtown’s Robin Povey (pictured), 69, spent two weeks in hospital after suffering five broken ribs, a punctured lung and a haematoma in the incident on December 2.

Mr Povey had been riding his bike along the Queens Park Trail — next to the Barwon River — when a dog ran into him, sending him flying off his bike.

“I remember laying on the ground and wondering if I was paralysed,” he said.

“I more or less couldn’t move. I couldn’t talk. I couldn’t breathe well.”

Although Mr Povey initially thought he was merely winded, a visit to St John of God Hospital’s emergency department revealed the true extent of his injuries.

He initially spent eight days in hospital, but was forced to return a week later when his lung collapsed.

He remained there for another five days — including Christmas — before being given the all clear.

The incident happened in an area with signposts stating dogs must be on lead at all times, but Mr Povey said the canine was roaming freely when it jumped in his way.

“As I got to this narrow section of the track, this bloody dog bounded out from the trees and went straight under me,” he said.

“I had not a chance in hell of braking, so I hit it; I T-boned it.

“The one thing I did remember was the dog running around in absolute shock and ... baring his teeth. I was thinking, ‘ My God, I hope he doesn’t attack me’.”

Mr Povey said the dog’s owners “disappeared pretty quickly”, leaving a female jogger to come to his aid.

He said he considered himself lucky to avoid more serious injuries, but said the ordeal had left him shaken.

“I think it’s a bit raw, to be honest,” he said.

“I almost get emotional over it, because I was in a bit of a bad way over a bloody dog which shouldn’t have been on the path.

“In a sense I’m angry, but I can’t get too angry. We’ve owned dogs and walked on the path, though we had them on leads.”

Since the incident, Mr Povey has been in discussions with the City of Greater Geelong and called on them to take strong action against owners who don’t control their dogs in onleash areas.

City of Greater Geelong planning and development director Kelvin Walsh said the fine for a dog roaming freely in an on-leash area was $159.

“The City is committed to providing safe and enjoyable open spaces for the community and random and scheduled patrols of the municipality are regularly conducted, including on weekends and public holidays.,” he said.

“The City has a range of officers involved in conducting patrols and this will continue.”