Strange dog charging my dog-very important question

[Sophie45]

I was just on a walk with Sophie, and I notice about 10-15 ft ahead of me a pit bull with no collar trying to grab food out of a garbage. I immediately and quietly try and cross the road, but as soon as we reached the other side, he spotted Sophie and started charging at her. About three fet feet away from us, he gets hit by a car going about 35 miles per hour, and is flung down the street. He gets up and runs off, so apparently he wasn't TOO injured.

I can't help but think this might have saved my dog's life. I am so incredibly freaked out, because I keep thinking, "What would I do if this stray dog attacked me dog? How would I break it up? What if it bit me?"

Any advice, PLEASE. I live in a medium-sized city, so there is a fair amount of traffic-and dogs. I have come across stray dogs/runaway dogs before, but none have charged Sophie before.

[Cassiepeia]

Carry some sort of spray with you. Something that's quite unpleasant for dogs (citronella for example). Maybe even just a high powered (but small) water pistol could work. I'm not a fan of using capsicum (ie- Pepper) spray for use on hostile dogs as I'd hate to think of the damage it could do...but, if you're in real danger that can be an option too.

Cass.

[Sophie45]

I was reading last night to carry pepper spray and a stick. Apparently, I read you are supposed to spray their nose, not their eyes with the pepper spray, because it affects dogs differently than humans. The article I read says carry a stick and crack it across the head-in between the ears-repeatedly until it goes away. Honestly, I will do this IN A SECOND if a strange dog is trying to attack my dog, although the thought is scary. The article says that you are the leader, and your job is to protect your dog, and I agree. I have an obligation to protect my dog. The problem is carrying a large stick with me every time I go for a walk! And when I jog with my dog, it's impossible to keep stride with a large stick, so I'm thinking of going for pepper spray or citronella-whatever works better. The article says you can spray a whole can of the stuff on a dog, and it won't injure them, just deter and agitate them, which is good because most likely-heaven forbid if I have to use it-I would spray some on my poor Sophie, too.

I can't shake the thought that the guy who hit the dog saved my Sophie's life....and possibly protected me as well.....

[calgal]

I'd whip out the ol pepper spray in a "New York minute" if a dog charged me or my dogs. Maybe a bad sting to it's eyes may make it think twice the next time.

[IceyBlueSibes]

I was going to say the same thing as Cass. I'd find some sort of spray to carry in case it happens again. If the dog wasn't injured and it was in fact a stray or always allowed to run loose, who knows if the dog won't be around again.

I'm glad you nor Sophie were attacked! Sorry to hear the dog got hit, but just as you said, it kept you guys from getting hurt and thankfully the dog didn't seem to be injured.