Hi I can't really believe I'm posting this. A week ago I crossed the road both my dog and the other dog was on a lead the other dog was sat by very still I was waiting for her to cross so I could get through to carry on ahead, we were a good distance away from one another. My dog is very chill well trained I went to classes early on he's now nearly 8 years old. Her dog was on a collar and lead only she's a frail looking woman too. Anyway the dog just suddenly pounced no warning as such no tail ears just silent, looking back I now think the stare to my dog was the sign. As her dog pounched I was thrown over the lead into the main road while her dog was mauling my little dog all I could think in that moment was we were both done for and my beautiful dog in the most traumatic painful way. Lucky my dog had a wrap thunder coat on I'd got for bonfire night etc he hates fireworks and separation anxiety it's a great rain coat, believe it saved him he's vet checked and fine but as the coat was slippy no grip. Anyway I got bit trying to grab my dog I managed to get up but fell again over her lead again I was tangled in in somehow I managed to get up grab my dog and run like I've never run before lost my shoe trying to kick too. There was a witness but I only know her from dog walking I don't know her name reached out on a local group and it's turned out the dog has attacked before there is a possibility of CCTV she has denied it and said they were sniffing and I tripped I'm so angry all I expected was a strong head lead and muzzle on her dog but she's not cooperative with police so it's a court job. I'm now petrified to go out alone this happened suddenly no warning etc. I've bought a K9 spray a huge umbrella and yellow lead but there's so many idiots who can't control their dogs. I have a toddler she normally walks with me thank god she was at nursery. I'm black and blue from the fall and the incident has caused me nightmares after finally falling asleep sometimes I can't sleep. I've gone from being a very confident dog walker to a nervous wreck which I'm really trying to control for my dog but struggling, just the other day I saw a man with a similar bull breed with it off lead running behind me since that I can't go out alone because I've been forcing myself until then I even crossed over they then crossed I crossed again I look nuts. I've never been afraid of dogs I will be honest and say I avoid bully types in general because my sister has always had staffs and bullies they are not always good with other dogs they don't know, my sister has had dogs living together and they are generally ok with people. But I don't go into their path I just know certain breeds are not great with dogs no offence.. I'm just feeling very vulnerable aside from my giant umbrella etc I am unsure how I can build my confidence and feel able to protect my dog my child and myself. I love walking my dog this is literally ruining my life we walk about 2-3 miles per day normally it's my passion I live near a lot of hills and love the views it's the town idiots that spoil it. Sorry it's long but I'm so traumatised. Any tips and tricks or ways to feel confident would be appreciated so scared for my children too. Thanks