All pet owners believe their animals are safe and harmless, even when they’re savage and dangerous. This is pretty much the same brand of selective vision that convinces parents of newborns that everyone is as interested in their babies as they are, but the only harm there is being bored to death. With a dangerous animal, the views of the owner are at best a waste of everyone’s time and at worst a menace to public safety.
Some dog owners also seem to believe that, if their dog DOES try to attack you, then it is obviously your fault. For hating dogs, I guess.
I don’t hate dogs. I’m cautious about dogs but I don’t hate them. I do hate being told that a dog is harmless and won’t bite when the dog clearly has other ideas.