Dog attack on local trail prompts alarm from bicyclist group in Topeka

TOPEKA (KSNT) – A local group of cyclists are sounding the alarm after it said one of its members was attacked by a homeless person’s dog on a Topeka trail.

The Kaw Valley Bicycle Club reported that a group of bicyclists was riding on the Landon Trail on Tuesday, Sept. 9 near 37th Street in Topeka when the attack occurred. Three dogs from a nearby homeless camp attacked the group, biting one of the riders multiple times.

A witness of the attack said the bicyclist, while injured, received medical treatment including stitches and will recover. This is the second time in two years a bike rider has been attacked on the trail.

“They built it [Landon Trail] for families to be able to ride on and enjoy, I mean, it is a nice, pretty ride, but if you are worried that a dog will attack you, you are not going to come out here and do that,” said Roger Howard, a witness of the attack.

Both the City of Topeka and Shawnee County have enacted leash laws in the wake of the first attack. Lynn Cress with the Kaw Valley Bicycle Club said he wants to see more enforcement along the trails.

“If there are patrols, I don’t know about them,” Cress said. “I hardly ever see any patrol, and that’s the only way authorities can tell what’s out here.” 

Howard said Animal Control took one of the dogs away following the attack. However, the group is urging other bicyclists and people who use the trail to use caution.

“Well, keep an eye out but, again, if somebody is off in the shadows with a vicious animal, you’re not gonna see them until it’s too late,” Cress said.” So, the best thing we can do is just tell people that they’re there and report stuff. I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t tell anybody to go down the trail at dusk.”

27 News reached out to the Topeka Police Department this week for more information about the reported dog attack but has yet to receive a response. Additional details from police regarding this situation will be added to this story or a later story as they are made available.

“I will say this, that the city and the county over the last year have made great improvements on cleaning up the trail especially around the roundabout,” Cress said. “However, in the last month it seems like we’ve just had an influx of more homeless people and people camping on the… literally camping on the trail.”

The Landon Trail runs for almost five miles in Topeka along an abandoned railroad track from Southeast 15th Street just south of Cushinberry Park to Southeast 45th Street. You can learn more about the trail by heading to Shawnee County Parks and Recreation’s website. Learn more about how to report a dog attack in Topeka by clicking here.

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