People who insist the victim is at fault unless of course it is them and then it is a completely different story possibly?

OP, it depends some upon the area but generally the sherrif can intercede or animal control. Most places do not allow dangerous animals to roam free, both for the good of the public and the animal. And, you do have a right to defend yourself.

A camera can help, yet another unfriendly animal. This one did it's best to get me and a face full of MACE hardly fazed him. But the owner called him off before it got real ugly. I called the sheriff, presented the photo. He told me right in front of the owner to next time shoot the (______):



But, as it would go, a week later driving into work, I came upon a dead animal in the road, yep, he had met his match. Thing is, they had a beautiful fenced yard. I owned dogs most of my life, never once did any of them hurt anybody or anything. I kept them with me or in the house or in a fenced yard. It was my responsibility to keep them safe and of course not owning known killer and aggressive breeds did not hurt my efforts.