Help!

[judy0429]

Yikes!!! We just encountered something we've never heard discussed before.

As a bit of background, we have long been in opposition of breed-specific bans. We have been very vocal about it. We still feel that way . . .

Then today, this. Our 4 year old male Bouv is very dog-friendly. We went to the park today, where part of the park is enclosed for dogs, and part is general use. Just as we were leaving the general area, we walked along the outside edge of the dogs' enclosure and a large-ish (80+ pounds?) "pit" bull came barreling about 50 yards over to the fence barking fiercely at Wim. Our dog returned the barking challenge, and both lunged for each other with the fence in between. The other owner came running over, grabbed his still lunging, growling dog, and dragged him away. We did the same.

Perhaps some do, but I have yet to see or hear of any Bouv shrinking back from a blatant challenge and a fight. I am concerned that if the fence had not been between them, and a fight had ensued, my beloved dog could have been dead in a pit bull's jaws.

My questions is had there been no fence, what should I have done? I'm really frightened in that this scenario could well repeat itself in any public place. I've broken up fights between two 100-pound dogs before (my own), and am not afraid of getting bitten per se. But this was different.

Suggestions? PLEASE !!!!!!!!