Hiking along the Chattahoochee River in Georgia

Watch out for pit bulls off leash. This morning around 8AM, my 20 pound Jack Russell terrier (who was on a leash) and I were attacked by a gray pit bull (named Bella who was not on a leash) on the East Palisades Trail at the Chattahoochee River. I thought we were going to die when it happened - but we were not hurt. I had already picked up my dog and was trying to shelter her in my arms, when the pit bull knocked us to the ground. The owner was able to get her off before more damage was done. This is the reason it's against the law to have your dog off leash anywhere - on any trail - even in the water - within the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. The dog's owner was very sorry. She replied that many people have their dogs off leash here and she suggested this might not be the best place for me to walk my dog. I later call the Ranger. Nothing he could do since I didn't have any way to identify the owner. He said it is a problem and people seem to think it's OK to have dogs off leash here - and that they share that misinformation on social media. He said he will request that Rangers patrol the area more often.