I don't think it's a bad idea to have some protection wherever you go. A few years ago I was victim to an unprovoked attack while out on my bike of two pitbulls on a busy public path. They destroyed my jacket and bit me numerous times before i managed to sort them out (then the owner). I think it's a good idea to carry something for protection, since statistically, dogs attacks are quite common in comparison to other animal attacks, and any idiot these days can buy a dog. 186 people a year are attacked and/or killed in dog attacks.