My 30 pound dog was attacked by three unleashed pit bulls

[TorchTheWitch]

243. You'd do better with a can of pepper spray and a stout stick

With a knife you have to get in very close proximity to an attacking dog which will virtually guarantee that you get bitten - they are stronger and faster than you. A knife can also backfire on you by cutting yourself with it in the maylay of an attack.

The best defense is a good offense. Walk with a strong walking stick that you can use at a much safer distance from an attacking dog to get it to back off or disable it. Most dogs can be turned off from an attack with minimal force or even just with an aggressive loud voiced approach to tell them to get away. But for those dogs intent on attacking a much stronger offense is needed and the best offense is when some protective distance can be maintained from you and the attacking dog. Always be aware that an attack can and often happens with no warning, so when out walking just be aware of what's going on and be ready to wield a stick on any attacking dog. Bash that attacking dog as hard as you possibly can right on the head and keep bashing it until it stops or until you have to kill it to make it stop. Carry pepper spray and in your hand to be ready for use at any time, and when using it empty the whole contents directly in the attacking dog's face. Dogs are not as adversely effected by pepper spray as humans are, so one blast may do nothing at all, so when using it don't hesitate to empty the whole can in their face.

I'm so sad and angry that your neighborhood is so menacing with problem dogs running loose that you are afraid to own a dog and have to feel for your own personal safety. I'd strongly suggest that you organize a local group of concerned citizens and go to the DA, the mayor, or any elected official and demand they do something about the problem. Get the media involved... no elected official wants bad press insinuating that they don't care about public safety. Your area is more than likely covered by leash laws that are not being enforced, and I don't know of any state that doesn't have a leash law. Print out these laws and bully elected officials with them that they are slacking on enforcement to the detriment of public safety. Make a loud stink. Government slacks when they think they can get away with it, and getting a group of citizens together and making a loud stink over an issue is the only way to get them to not only take the problem seriously but do something about it.

http://leerburg.com/dogattack.htm?set=1