[Starwolf]

Many urban residents have little to no experience with dogs, especially large ones. Seen it a lot when I lived in the LA area. Our beagle terrified our neighbors, including the parents. It took almost a year before their son would throw the ball for her (which is what she lived for). Police know this and use it to their advantage.

That said, its fairly easy to take out an attacking dog. Takes a bit of nerve and some training, but its quite doable. Tends to upset the owner/handler though.

[Sax]

My son wrestles and he get get our 100lb dog in a choke hold, no sweat. I feel a little more for the dog’s ego and play fight a little more fairly - they cannot protect their neck. Sure you might get a bite, but once you get under their windpipe they forget about biting.

Nothing better than using an oven mitt so the dog knows they can bite down a little harder when wrassling without hurting you. The dog loves a good fight.

[muawiyah]

Frankly, some of the owners go absolutely hysterical when they see little foo-foo laying there bleeding from his nostrils, his jaw broken in 200,736 pieces.

This is why little foo-foo should never be let off his leash, nor should he be allowed to go for someone's legs or ankles.

[Ditto]

Many urban residents have little to no experience with dogs, especially large ones.

I don't know what 'urban' areas you are talking about, but many are filled with some nasty damn dogs trained to kill. They protect drug dealer's stashes and they make the average Police dog look like Lassie.

These guys are very familiar with dogs.