Answer:

Call the police. It is the owners responsbility to keep their animal confined to their property and under control.

As a dog owner, I am appalled and embarrased. I feel these types of owners need to be told their behavior is unacceptable.

Other that, I'm certainly no expert, but I think a can of Fox Labs OC spray would probably deter a lot of critters. However, I would try to give them a "warning shot", shooting between you and them. Let them get a whiff without hitting them direct on. Certainly OC spray hitting their delicate mucas membranes head on is likely to be pretty hard on them.

Again, I'd like to repeat I don't have any real experience with truely agressive animals (fearful animals or guarding animals are a different thing) and for all I know it will really torq them off and cause them to attack. Certainly OC spray isn't 100% effective on humans.

Get the police involved.

-john


Edited for clairity.