Chris,

Anyone who lets their dog run outside their property is not caring for their "pet". If it came to my safety, I would not fear animal rights activist's rebuke for defending myself against what may be, for all practical purposes, a roaming wild animal.

I have had my neighbor's Doberman challenge me in my own yard.

Keep your dogs inside the fence. Once outside, they cannot be accounted for. We've had many cases of pit bulls attacking children mercilessly over the years. Choosing between a human's safety and that of a dog is a no-brainer.