I never trust my dogs in public. They're too unpredictable. I so sorry your experiences are tainted by bad people behavior.

I was mauled as a young boy by a german shephard while I was delivering newspapers. I have found that a significant portion of dog owners don't give two hoots about anyone else. I like dogs fine, but I have been bitten twice, underwent rabies shots and am allergic to dogs. That dog was put down by the city, I was the 3rd victim of record. I am not surprised at all. Glad you were not hurt. I defend myself now, when a dig tries to bite me, I kick as hard as I can. They seldom return for another go.

Having said that, I have had several dog friends. I still miss my neighbors dog Oakley. We would drink and howl at the moon together. He was my soul dog.

I'm a huge dog lover. I've had several German Shepherds which were loving and protective. I always had them on a leash on a trail. I agree owners should respect the laws. I am protecting my dog from harm and respecting the public. I have known some loving Rotties and Pit Bulls which get a bad rap from inconsiderate and irresponsible owners.

A Rottweiler can be a great dog, if the owner educates him well, which seems not to be the case here. If the owner allows to run freely endangering the others shouldn't have it. Having a dog is already a big responsibility, a dog like this even bigger. You have the right to defend yourself, simple.

While riding my bicycle I treat all unleashed dogs as vicious. If one comes at me I'll use my tire pump as a club. I haven't killed one yet but I would if necessary.

It is entirely possible to train a dog in such a way that it will always obey owner's commands and not get out of earshot of them. But I would imagine one in a hundred dogs are that well trained, because 99 out of 100 dog owners aren't that responsible or committed to training.

My dogs are never off-leash on local walking trails, not just for other's peace of mind but because of the behavior of other dogs. Some of them are completely insane. Fortunately, leashing is required by the county.

I have a scar on my arm from a dog attack, it required 4 ER visits as it became infected. Dogs should be leashed in public.

That sucks that something you enjoy so much is being made into a fearful occasion by people who aren’t following the rules.

I have a 20# fluff ball of a dog that adores everyone. However I understand some people are afraid of dogs. I also understand that my dog doesn’t automatically love every dog. And certainly every dog is not going to love him! Not only are the owners putting other people at risk, they’re putting their dogs at risk as well! It can be the sweetest dog in the world, but if it barrels off leash at an unfriendly dog, it’s going to get hurt!

Love you and hope you are able to stay safe. I’m glad your friend showed you how to use your poles on a charging dog

I’m not sure. I insist on muzzling my parents’ terrier if I take her for a walk as she likes trying to bite men’s calves and other dogs’ noses. My parents don’t because, ‘she doesn’t like it’.
Perhaps because they are in denial as the dogs are in the home and placid most of the time?
I find it bizarre, and quite upsetting too.

Sad to read about that.
And as a 'professional' on the subject. I never believe the concept of 'he's friendly'.
A dog is predator and for what ever reason a danger. They may see killing your accompanying pet as food or you as a threat... or food. Can't help it, it's what they do.
No such thing as an evil dog - Bollocks! There are evil dogs in the same way as there are evil other creatures too. That's just part of life, and remember there are psychotic bunnies out there as well.
Dogs are pack animals and need hierarchy and discipline. You cannot negotiate with a dog, they must have their place reinforced on them. When owners try to give their mutts an equal standing, then trouble begins as they have surrendered control to the dog.
Dogs will often try to protect the pack and its leader, so if they show exceptionally defensive behaviours where they are likely to attack others, training and or physical restrictions are needed. A dog may well give its life for the pack.
How to defend yourself quickly without killing the dog. Sometimes you have to be nasty. One or two dogs and you may be OK, but anymore and well, you know that already. So, a handy weapon that is quick to deploy. A collapsible umbrella, pop it open right in the dogs face, this confuses and scares to dog, plus it cannot see you and gives you a barrier between them and you. Now flap the umbrella so it appears to attack the dog, Shout scream and be aggressive even if you are backing off. Shout for help of course.
I used to be a Postman years ago and my late wife was a Veterinary Surgeon.
Lastly, if people cannot control their dogs, they must be banned for having them.

How horrifying! And even more so to hear how frequently it's happened to you. It seems that there are too many people with blinders on about how well-trained their animals are. I know a number of people who, even in suburbia, carry pepper spray because of how often leash-less dogs have come at them. How tragic, because a truly well-trained dog is a joy.

Wrong these people think they can do what they want, I don't worry learned how to combat this in the army

i own 2 dogs myself, one is a blue nose pitty, when she is out side my yard she is always on a leash, dogs are still animal with instincts never know what they will do. I love my dogs, but leash is something all owners should do. sorry this happened to you. the best advice with a pissy dog like this, stand your ground, show it you are in control. if need be thump it in the head. I had a neighbor that has a rescued pitty she was old, she was mean, she came threw my door after me once, like i said once. We lived in a duplex. basically as it came threw i thumped the dog in the head pretty good with my fist. after then i came home, that dog would come out side and lay in my lap and just happy to see me. This is because the dog learned, i am above the food chain as they say, dogs will always back down to the alpha.

I agree. My thoughts on this are simple. I am a dog lover but not a current dog owner. If the dog is menacing and unruly it is because the animal has an ignorant owner. Dogs adapt to the personality and wishes of the owner. Most dogs react to and carry out the voice commands of the owner. Dogs that are in control tend to like what the owner likes.

I hope by saying you've been attacked 8 times, you are referring to the dog running at you aggressively barking, not actually physically hurting you. That is quite a lot of times.

I also find the attitude of many dog owners frustrating. I had a friend whose dogs were her babies. After I had my first child, we went over to her house and at first my daughter loved the dogs. But then one day the biggest dog startled her by suddenly barking when she was inches away from her. After that, any time we went to my friend's house, my daughter would desperately try to climb to the top of my head to get away from the dogs that would jump up on me the entire time. Needless to say, we stopped visiting soon after that. My friend had kennels she could have put the dogs in but apparently she didn't feel like her dogs should be put out to spare a frightened little girl.

A simple answer to your question is, that many pet owners are irresponsible jerks. F-in assholes even.

One of my incarnations had me as a long time Vet Tech. There were more than a couple clients that came in, that laughed when they heard that one of the staff had been hurt by their pet (dogs, cats, whatever) in the course of an exam. In some cases those people were informed not to come back !

And when roaming about outside, the jerks run rampant - as do their animals . Because there's often no reasoning with such folks, the animals are left to pay the price. As much as I love all animals, I will not hesitate to fight back if being attacked. Sure - you can get all righteous about how the dogs - in this case - should not be loose - but fact is there's gonna be some. And in many ways pet dogs are more of a threat than a wild animal, because they have no fear of humans at all.

Besides various sprays, and poles, a small portable boat horn can be effective (not heavy to carry). It will not only startle, but hurt their ears (aw-w-w). And use those poles if you need to, stab, poke, swing, scream, out-crazy the dog !

I once smashed a large rock in a dog's face. He'd been jumping out at me repeatedly - with clear intent to bite, as I ran by, in my own neighborhood. I never saw him again ... oh well.

Again - no, you should not have to deal with this - but ...

I emphatically agree. A leash is necessary for the safety of everyone, including the dog.

It may be time for you to carry a gun. A few dead dogs will take care of the problem. Of course you may have to shoot the owner too.

I agree with you totally

Linda and I both carry sidearms while hiking through the parks here in ohio. The only times I've ever pulled my gun in 15 years of carrying one here in the Miami valley was to defend us from dogs off the leash. I've not shot one.... yet. But it gets the dog's owner's attention.

WOW,,sounds like if the owners will not leash there dogs,,Maybe the dogs need to leash there owner,,has to be one way or another,,which one do you think they will pic

If this is a frequent occurrence I'd sure try and have a repellant spray. One that hurts the dog a LOT, without injuring it.

It is a disgusting situation. Years ago I was walking on the beach. A big dog came growling and running right at me. Luckily I was carrying a big stick. When the dog was close I waved my left hand...the dog was distracted and I wacked his head with the stick in my right hand. When he fell down I wacked him again and he ran off. There are many TV commercials showing people walking on the beach with their unleashed dogs...I think they TV execs are responsible for this problem.

This can be hard to discuss as the first thought I had was to carry a gun. That is not a good idea as it immediately escalates the situation to a point where no one has any control. Do not need to hear about the "shoot out in the mountains", or "woman goes crazy, dog dies." However, people have to learn to control their animals, Can you Velcro pepper spray to the outside of your coat in a place easily accessed, protected so you do not get a rash? Would photographing the dogs to show what they are doing help you argue a case with the Forest Service? Or the Police? You probably will not get anywhere but if the point can be made will this help?