Ranting about stupid dog ownership

[MM_QFC!]

+1 on all of the comments re: responsible and humane dog ownership.

Also, as a bike rider, nothing can get the adrenaline going like a dog on the loose, bounding toward me! If there is a leash law, people, it means that also includes you! I can't tell you how many times, I'm riding along and see people walking the trail with their (sometimes great big) dog on the loose. I don't much care if their dog is friendly, as it should be on a leash, so it's a moot point, right? Why should any nearby riders or walkers have to be concerned about an unleashed dog?
I was enjoying a ride on a local trail recently, especially a lovely downgrade, when I spotted 2 dogs up ahead - no humans in sight and both were wandering w/o any leashes. I slowed as I was taking in the whole scene and deciding whether to continue or turn around. There were no other riders in sight, from either direction either. Hmmmm, I stopped and noticed that both dogs were looking in my direction; since, I'm just getting back to riding and recovering from injuries, I have neither the strength nor the speed that I could count on previously, so I decided to turn around and get away from a situation that presented too many threatening possibilities to me.
I am guessing that the owner of the dogs lived adjacent to the trail and it was their habit to let their dogs wander near their home; it all sounds so easy, pleasant and carefree, doesn't it? NOT! It's not for me to have to determine if a loose and unattended dog is friendly and not a threat; everyone has the same rules and this is so unnecessary.

Please note: this isn't anti-dog bias; it's more a rant against people who do not care for, nor keep their dogs under control as our communal laws require. I agree with Mimi on this issue. Leash laws aren't just for some dogs; they're meant for all to avoid unnecessary incidents and unsafe situations.
P.S. I don't have a dog living with me, as my schedule doesn't support the caretaking that I feel is necessary to have a pet. However, I am crazy about my 'granddog' and have her visit often. She's a mini-breed, so she can get nervous about lots of people around or big dogs looming over her too. For that reason, I don't usually take her to the off-leash parks, as I've had the experience of her cowering when dogs bound over to her and are too big, even if playful. She's always on a leash when we go out and I've had a couple of scares when we've been on a trail in a nearby county park (leash and scoop laws in effect) and had encounters with loose dogs who were nowhere near their jogging owners - whew!