Well, I am a dog lover. And I get mighty annoyed by unleashed animals. To say that being chased by a dog that is "barking and baring its teeth is not a pleasant situation" is quite an understatement. One of the most terrifying minutes of my life was being chased by two dalmatians as 10 year old riding a too-big adult bicycle. If I'd have fallen, I have no doubt they would have viciously attacked me.
My border collie has been attacked by an unleashed dog on two occasions. When I am walking my dogs and I see an unleashed dog, particularly breeds known for dog aggression, my blood pressure goes up and I immediately look for a way to get away. So, even though I am not scared for myself, per se, unleashed dogs where they shouldn't be tick the hell out of me. I have seriously considered carrying a knife in case I have to kill an attacking dog. After the two attacks, I'm that freaked out.
Even if your town doesn't have a leash law, it must have an 'in control' clause. A dog that chases someone or something is not in control. I don't know where the picture is now, but I saw a shot of someone set up for touring that kept a baseball bat sticking out of his rear pannier. Maybe you could start carrying something that can obviously be used as a defensive weapon against a dog attack. [There is a cross walk where I have almost gotten hit at so many times, I'm thinking of carrying a golf club and swinging it as I'm walking--as if to say 'would you like a nice dent or smashed in window in your Mercedes?'.]
Don't feel bad about the e-mail that was sent. Now no one cam claim ignorance.