Pitt Bull attacks

Question
Hello Kristin,
My wife and I walk our dogs frequently. Always on a leash unless
we take them to the local dog park.
This particular incident happened at a local park near where we
live around 8:30 PM. This park is located in a residential area.
There were no people or any other dogs around when we got
there. We had our two dogs with us. Our larger dog is a male 7
year old golden retriever mix and our other is a female 2 year
old dalmatian blood hound mix.
Out of the blue we were surprised by 2 Pitt Bull dogs. One older
and one still a puppy. They were not leashed and they had no
collars and no owner in sight. The older dog attacked my
retriever. Everything happens so fast. My wife started retreating
with our female dalmation with the pitt puppy aggresively
following. Meanwhile I was having all I could handle. My retriever
was fighting back "but" his leash was restricting him as I was
trying to shelter him and not get bit myself. I did not want to let
my retriever go because I would have had no control whatsoever.
I tried to yell and kick the Pitt. I had no stick, knife, club or
anything to defend myself with. On pure instinct I did all I could
think of to do. This dog had no collar so I could not grab him or
pull him away.
I am a very big man {270 lbs} so I yelled to my wife to take hold
of our retriever at which time I litterally threw myself on top of
the Pitt by grabing his neck and smothering him with all my
strength and weight. This dog was not after people as he quickly
settled down when he realized that I would not let go. In fact I
was shocked that he did not turn on me which leads me to
believe that these 2 Pitts were somebodys pets. My wife made it
to our car with both our dogs with the little pitt in tow "but" the
puppy Pitt just sat there watching her. I had the keys to our car
and my wife was locked out. I HAD A REAL SCARE NOW---- how
was I going to get the keys to her when she was 50 feet away
and I was stuck holding this dog down. Once I felt he calmed
down enough I slowly let go and let him up. The funny thing is
he followed me wagging his tail. BUT, the minute I got close to
my wife and dogs he went after my retriever again. I could not
keep up and my wife was in the middle of trying to hold both
our dogs and now the little Pitt started in on our Dalmatian mix.
Our female dalmatian mix is a little chicken and was yelping
horribly which attracted the older Pitt. I arrived and quickly
moved into help when my retreiver got ahead of me and started
fighting with the older Pitt. Meanwhile I managed to get one car
door open and yelled for my wife to try to get our female in.
Being worried for my older retreiver I yelled for him to get in the
car. He started over with the Pitt after him. I know it was foolish
of me "but" on instinct I grabed the thickish part of the Pitts
neck fur and held with all my might. Funny thing is he did not
turn on me again.
Unbelievably niether my wife or I got bit "but" our dalmation had
a small puncture on her neck. My big retreiver came away with
no injuries which I figure is because he has very thick fur and he
fought back.
I am a big man "BUT" I must tell you I was scared and foolishly
acted on instinct. I could have been severly bitten.
My questions and I really need your advice:
Why did these dogs seem to be more interested in attacking our
dogs than us ?
It seemed as though the Pitt was use to someone holding him
back which is what I did along with throwing myself on top of
him. Why do you think he didn't turn on me.
What do you suggest if something like this happens again ?
You may not agree with me "but" until somebody tells me how to
get out of this very scarry situation I will now be strapping a
knife to my belt or at the very least a walking cane or stick of
some kind. We tried screaming and even kicked and the Pitts
would not stop. I truly consider ourselves lucky under the
circumstances.
Please offer you advice on how to protect ourselves when our
dogs are leashed and the other dogs decide to attack with no
owner or way to stop them.
Also, my wife walks our dogs in this neighborhood by herself
and I am now very worried about her safety. For your info: We
had never went to this particular park before and will never go
back.
I apologize for the long email "but" until you have lived this
experience it is hard to explain in the shortest terms with
regards to the behaviour of these Pitt Bulls and our own dogs
behaviour to being attacked. I could of let my retreiver loose to
fight without my holding him back but I knew that he would get
to far away for me to be able to help and I truly believe he was
outmatched and would have been killed right in front of me.
I LOVE my dogs and my retriever was a big reason we were able
to live through this. After it was over I hugged my 7 year old
hero and quietly whispered in his ear "you crazy old fool" you
took on a Pitt Bull and could have gotten killed. Dogs are TRULY
mans best friend. Our female deserved a big hug also.

Thank You ! for your time !
Sincerely, Ron and Karen

Answer
Dog fights such as this are very scary,as I had something simular happen about four years ago when I was walking my then labx puppy,and a stray chowx had attacked and lcoked onto his neck,luckly alot of people were there to help me,otherwise my dog would be dead insted of sitting next to me right now-so you are right to say all of you are lucky

Now as to why those dogs didn't turn on you,human and dog aggrestion are 2 different things all together,a dog can be dangerous to people,but get along fine with other dogs and vice versa

Now here's a few things i would do,first try to get a can of dog spray,you can buy this in a number of places-and another thing,whenever you see an off leash dog,call animal control ASAP,I have it on speed dial on my cell phone "just in case",and it wouldn't hurt to also carry a walking stick

I hope this helped-I really hate seeing off leash dogs when mine are always leashed