((((((((((((( mouse ))))))))))))

You did a brave thing there saving your dog like that, and it is great that you both came out unharmed. I do understand your fears, but you can't stay in the house forever and though the girl's death has brought the spotlight onto pitbulls again, you're probably just about as safe now to take your dog out as you were before. In fact you're probably safer because I imagine that now the owners of the pitbulls and other illegal dogs are trying to hide them before they get seized by the police. Perhaps you could take some kind of weapon with you to walk your dog - a can of pepper spray or something, perhaps? Or perhaps your local police station could give you some advice on defence?