Three good post#, pfr - and like you, I've had a number of assaults by people, but never been bitten by a dog (other than accidentally in play-time with puppies and young dogs).

I do get tired of having to defend dogs - a dog isn't a human, it's a dog. It sees the world through a dog's eyes, it thinks like a dog and, unless properly trained and controlled, it will act like a dog, not like a human. Sadly, many humans seem unable to understand this simple fact, and fail to act accordingly around dogs (and I'm talking here about owners who fail to train their dogs properly, and take appropriate control measures, as well as non-owners who get bitten).

But a well trained, socialised, and domesticated dog is a great companion and source of joy. I love 'em, and I very much prefer dogs to people. I've never been hurt by a dog - wish I could say the same about some people I've had the ill-fortune to come into contact with! ;-)