smack some sense into a dog owner for this stupidity?

I was just outside on my building’s porch having coffee and sorting through the mail. I was also spoiling my landlord’s cats with some fresh sardines. Anyways one of the cats was on the chair half behind me and its your typical sunny morning – people out walking their dogs and such. Out of nowhere this dog comes barreling across the street and towards me(didn’t find out til afterwards he was after the cat). Not really thinking about it and ignoring the fact i had spilled coffee on myself I brought my foot up and shoved the dog away from me. Nowhere near the brutal kicking I was accused of giving by the owner.

As far as I knew the dog was coming for me, not George who by this time had made a beeline for under the porch or the backyard. Still complaining about what I did and how I shouldn’t be feeding stray cats I pointed out that the cat wasn’t a stray and regardless her beast had no business being off leash and that if she didn’t get off my property I was calling animal control and reporting her. Which I did anyways once I got back upstairs.

1. What would you have done?

2. How stupid was this woman for allowing her dog to walk off lead knowing this dog doesn’t have solid recall? Even after I had made contact with the dog it did not return to her despite her calling the dog.

3. If you know your dog has a problem with cats and you live someplace that indoor/outdoor cats are as common as the seagulls, would you EVER allow your dog off lead while walking down the street right off a busy intersection?