irresponsible owner (about an off lead dog)

Carry direct stop or Halt! on you or whoever is walking your boyfriend's dog. Don't hesitate to use it. Carry a BIG stick to shoo off the attacking dog. If the dog still keeps running after you, don't hesitate to kick and scream.
Carry a cell phone and program AC's number in it and call them ANYTIME you see a dog off leash.

I agree. And further, the responsible thing for her to do would be to pay for the damage HER dog inflicted. It's not like your boyfriend's dog ran over to her dog, he was controlled and there wouldn't have been a fight had she done the right thing in the first place. It's scary that she has two kids. If she cares that little for her dog and accepting responsibility for him/her, I hate to think the way she is when it comes to her children as well.
Hopefully the police coming to her house will scare her enough that she will pay and will also learn NOT to let her dog run loose in public. What a selfish, irresponsible person.
I had a similar experience at my old apartment complex. I was walking Stitches on her leash and this loose dog was trying to antagonize her. Stitches would turn the other way and the dog would follow her and still try to get at her, even though Stitches was making it evident she did not want to deal with the dog. Its owner was just standing around and could care less that it was very clear that her dog was not appreciated by Stitches.  Stitches was twice the dogs size (she is only 27 lbs. so it's not like it was a big dog), but I was just sitting there thinking, "If something happens to your dog, I am not paying seeing as how my dog is obeying the law." I feel sorry for the animals of people like that, but it makes me really furious with the people who disregard the law because it usually seems like their animals don't have any training, tend to be more vicious, or at the very least, annoying to the controlled dogs, and they are the first to sue and last to admit that something is their fault.  At the same apartment complex, Stitches (on her leash) decided to growl at a pit bull. Its owner was very responsible as well and because both of us had control of our dogs and they were on their leashes, any conflict was avoided.
I am sorry for Buddy's injuries. I hope he feels better. How sad that you can't even take your dog for a walk and feel secure that he will be safe. They really need to get after owners to keep their dogs on a leash when outside unless they are in a dog park or place where it is specifically stated that they can run loose.

this is really sad, and i'm so sorry buddy had to deal with this!  futhremore, i'm sorry that you were confronted with such trash that they refuse to own up to their responsibilites.
 
believe me, i feel your pain about lax leash laws and cops who refuse to enforce them.

She said that her dog didn't hurt buddy and that she couldnt afford a bill because she was a single mother with 2 kids.  ...  Then she finally owned up to it being her fault but still refused to pay a vet bill. Buddy now has 4 staples under his eye and is stuck wearing a cone for 2 weeks.

I am so sorry to hear that Buddy was hurt, but I am very glad that his eye wasn't damaged. 
 
If this woman does not voluntarily pay for the vet bill, do take her to small claims court!  Since she is a single mother with 2 kids and can't afford such bills, that should convince her to keep her dog on leash.  It might help to call and ask what the court costs would be.  If she goes to court, she will lose and have to pay that, too.
 
In the future, to protect yourself and your dog in case of a dog attack, carry
(1) a tennis ball to throw [maybe the dog(s) will chase it]
(2) a handful of smelly treats (toss on the ground and leave) [font="arial, helvetica"]
[font=verdana](3) SprayShield Animal Deterrent Spray (formerly Direct Stop) [/font]
[linkhttp://www.dog.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=101367]www.dog.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=101367[/link] [size=3][size=2]
(4) a stout walking stick or umbrella (one that pops up)[/size]
(5) a very loud whistle or air horn (dogs have sensitive ears)
(6) pepper spray or mace
 
The last two can cause pain which will sometimes escalate a fight, so use with caution.[/size][/font]

Thank you for all your positive imput about preventing this from it happening again.   I may invest in some spray.  It's just sad that it's come to that.   As for buddy he is acting as though nothing happened but is loving the extra attention and treats.  

oddly the one positive thing that has come from this is my impression of the cops.  I previously have always had a negative impression of them.  But based on how the person on the phone and the cop that came to our house treated the situation I was very impressed.  They were respectful, compassionate and helpful.

We go through this too...especially when Mark bikes the dogs....Dogs come out running after them all the time...1 time the people were outside and actually thought it was funny..nm calling the dog back or anything...We called the dog warden and were told there was nothing we could do unless we had proof...which is insane!! We did though...Mark took the dogs and i went with the video camera to tape it...Hasn't stopped them however and he still runs into trouble on and off....I understand a dog getting loose and accidents but to just let your dogs run free and not care what they do is so irresponsible! I hope Buddy heals quickly!! Doggie kisses for him!

my "solution" take my dog home or nearest safe home (friends) go back out with leashes, let the dogs come to me (do not chase) clip the leashes on - call animal control or take to their drop center - have a few angry "pet parents' about that but is a better solution than me having a vet bill or my giant breed killing theirs for attacking

Been there, done that. Sorry you had to go through it.  Some people are so irresponsible.  Being on the receiving end of an attack is a terrifying experience.
 
That said:
 
300,000 volt stun baton:

 
Bear spray (you want one that sprays in a STREAM, not a cloud).

Bear spray (you want one that sprays in a STREAM, not a cloud).

Now, *that* is a great idea. I worry about the cloud hitting *my* dog. A stream sounds fantastic.

ORIGINAL: jennie_c_d

Bear spray (you want one that sprays in a STREAM, not a cloud).

Now, *that* is a great idea. I worry about the cloud hitting *my* dog. A stream sounds fantastic.

 
There are some out there that shoot nicely in a stream up to 30 feet away.  Really great for stopping an attack before it gets you, but you still have to worry about prevailing winds!