Dorrie like posted carry a taser, stick or pepper spray (some are reccommend for bear). That was close dog attacks can be life changing or fatal.
You got to prepare for situations like this, the dog owner should have been kiss your a#$, with apologizes.

This remind me of a time when I was jogging and a guy standing in his front yard Chow at his side,
he was smiling as his dog attacked me, I was carry my ASP (retractable baton). After three strike and his dog yelping and running back to him, the guys smile went away. He had the nerve to tell me "Don't hit his dog!". What I told him is "He better stay in his yard or not only his dog ass but his was in jepordy". That really pissed me off, this joker had no more concern for his neighbors safety then that. Where my thoughts as I jogged away.

Some people just don't get it. Whenever my dogs have fired up on someone, I cring if they bite them or they have a heart attack I'm at fault all the things that I've worked for and love. My family, home, cars, dogs, finances and freedom is at stake.

I really don't want my dogs to bite anyone especially a bad bitting (Non protective bite or mistake).

Yup, Renee's right. I won't even begin to go into how many "encounters" I have had with my dogs, while walking them on leash and minding my own business, in my own neighborhood. As a result of these encounters, I know each and every house in the neighborhood to NOT walk past, and we stay away from the neighborhood park, which has several "leash required" signs posted that somehow all my other fine neighbors with dogs don't seem to be aware of (and there are two off leash dog parks within walking distance for those who wish to let their dogs run off leash in public...).
It's a little more difficult cycling with my Border Collie, since the bike path runs right through the park, but since we're generally moving faster than everyone else, I can manage to outmaneuver most problem situations. I think of it kind of like one of those video games where you have to avoid the hazards and pitfalls to get to the end. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I also carry pepper spray and Direct Stop. The pepper spray is for muggers and rapists, and the Direct Stop is for pooches who get too close for comfort. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />