Hello! I'm a complete novice to cycling and just happend upon this fabulous forum!

I have a hybrid which I ride 3 l/2 miles to and from work each day. Great ride, good neighborhoods (I thought!!),

I've been doing pretty well until I got chased by two pit bulldogs yesterday. Thankfully a man in a van came by and tried to help by distracting the dogs with his van until they gave up on me. It was really horrifying. THese dogs definitely meant to get me and I found out from animal control that they have killed several animals in the neighborhood and chased several school children back on to busses.

My question is this. What do you ladies carry for protection, if anything?

THanks for ideas!!!