I once tried to befriend a stray dog with soft, eager eyes that would follow my every move and a tail that would rhythmically beat its own drum. I brought baloney and leftover chicken to woe his appetite, a ball to break the ice and was met by an irresistible playfulness; light, yet overwhelming. Lead astray by a stray dog, I never saw it coming; needless to say I got bitten. I took my eyes off the ball.
Have you been scared of them since?
I had a face-to-face rendezvous (quite literally) with a stray mongrel many years ago. Since then I’ve been a touch asocial towards them, extending warmth only after advance payment in kind! :).