Well, I'm way late with my comment, but I wanted to thank you for the dog repellent recommendation. I ride with my blue heeler on a Walkydog (spring thingy attached to the seatpost). The only thing that really scares me is loose dogs. Fortunately there have only been a few, and they weren't serious about catching us, but I'm going to get some of this stuff, just in case. I like the idea of a concentrated stream. Then hopefully I could avoid hitting my own dog.

My son has a pit bull. It's about the sweetest dog I've known, and no danger to a person at all, but he doesn't like strange dogs much.

And what's "animal control" for if not to control animals that are attacking people and pets? They need to get on the ball.