Narrow Escape (Pit Bull)

Cary a stick.

Just the confidence knowing you have the upper hand if necessary is usually enough.

Dogs can sense that.

There was a pit mix occasionally loose down the street from me for a while.
The first time I encountered it, it stalked me.
I found a stick on the side of the road on the way back, and just knowing I could get the first lick from a relative safe distance caused me to not show any fear or apprehension.
The dog kept twice the distance as the first time passed.

I do agree, if you see the dogs out, go the other way.
Why risk it.