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in most states it is illegal for dogs to be running free for this very reason !!!

So sorry to hear that your two little dogs got attacked. When I walk my dogs, I too am worried about other dogs, even if my dogs are big (or maybe just because my dogs are big!). Sometimes a dog will give off a signal that irritates the other dog, and before you know it, there is a fight. I always walk my dogs on a leash, like you do. If another dog comes, I generally try to make mine sit and look at me, but sometimes that's just not possible. It's awful that we need to spray other animals with pepper spray, but sometimes there is just no other way. I agree with you, I'd get some!

There are leash laws here too. I don't dare walk mine off leash, or I may never catch the Bloodhound and Brother, the Mastiff, will go wherever she does. They are usually OK with other dogs, but sometimes the other dog doesn't know that. Best not to take that chance. Daisy will chase a cat in a heartbeat.

A word about pepper spray. DO NOT leave it in your car in the summer. It will explode and make a huge mess! Do get some for yourself. Pepper spray has been known to stop a bear attack though you would have to be mighty close to use it. lol

We have the same problem in our neighborhood, people like to let their dogs out without leashes. My daughters dog, a Lab, was attacked 3 times, not here but in TN. People would put the leash on but not hold on to it. The last time the Pit Bull did some real damage. Daughters dog needed surgery. She took the people to court and won. Now that she is back home she was so afraid to take him for a walk. She finally did, and yep the dog in the yard....came out and started attacking. I put my hands between them...got bit but didn't break the skin. THe owner was in her yard and had the nerve to say something about people like us...that what...have our dogs on leashes?? People are just nuts. My daughter now carries pepper spray with her when she takes her dog for a walk.

I am sorry about your daughters dog holly.... I'm glad she carries spray now... I bought mine today... Even at the parks where I walk there is always someone who has their dog off leash and it is usually a big dog..... If I have to spray a dog and the owner says anything negative to me I just might spray them also.... It is their fault I had to spray their dog...so they should get the same treatment...

I have the same problem. In my neighborhood it is Rottweillers mostly, but one Wimeramar came after me and my dogs. I called animal control and asked about pepper spray but they told me they didn't recommend it. THey said if you don't hit the dogs just right with the spray they might turn and attack worse. Someone else recommended Wasp or Hornet spray because it shoots far. I did carry it with me some lately but haven't had any dogs come after me for a few weeks. I don't know why people think they don't have to obey the leash laws. It is usually people with big, dangerous dogs too.

Before he died my late husband was walking our little Pappillon and a dog attacked them. The dog ended up with 40 stitches in his little neck and he only weighed 7 lbs. The people paid the vet bill, which was almost $500 but our dog still suffered. Now I have to worry about these dogs. One weighs 15 lbs and one weighs 12 lbs. The Rotties are over 100 lbs. I programmed Animal control into my cell phone and will not hesitate to call when necessary. I wanted to be a good neighbor so I tried talking to the people but it was useless.

Little dogs just do not stand a chance against a much larger dog, without our help. Big dogs getting into a fight can be scary too. So much so, that you may be afraid of getting in the middle of it to break it up.

Recently, my son's Great Dane got out of his yard but was quickly caught and was in their own yard when a Pit Bull decided to attack him. The Pit lived down the street and was running free. My son was at work, it was his wife who wittnessed the attack. The Dane held his own by litterally picking up the Pit by the neck and slinging him. It was bloody and loud, and his wife screaming bloody murder. The fight went on for several minutes with neither dog willing to quit, until the neighbors came to help and finally broke up the fight by turning a water hose on them. Neither were seriously injured, but did require a trip to the vets to attend puncture wounds. The owner of the pit paid the vet bill.

It seems like it is always the same breeds of dogs that you hear attacking other dogs or people. Usually it is Pit Bulls, but I've heard of others as well. At least the Great Dane was big enough to stand his ground.

I know that putting up a fence can be expensive, but if all dog owners would do it, it would solve much of the problem. I put up a 6 foot cyclone fence around my big back yard 2 years ago at cost of $4,000. I also put padlocks on the gates. My dogs would have been big enough to let themselves out without the locks. You always have those that can climb or jump their fence, but it would sure help.

In my neighborhood many do have fences but they will still let the dogs run free, especially down by the river, but there is nothing to keep them from running after my dogs if they decide too come after them while loose by the river. The owners get distracted by conversation or whatever and don't even know the dog left until they hear screams! It is just WRONG!