Dog Bite

We have new neighbors renting the house next door. They have two little dogs which I think are c0ckapoos. They yap constantly when they are outside and bark at us when we go into the yard. Today I had come home from an outing , parked the car in the garage and walked out to the street to get my mail. I noticed the dogs were loose and were in my front yard on the opposite side from their home. They came running at me and one bit my leg enough to break the skin and leave a bruise. I darted into the house. After I noticed the dogs had wandered further down the street. I ran next door and told them the dogs had escaped and had bit me. The young man who lived there called the dogs home and came to my house and apologized and said the dogs had had their shots. I am sure if the dogs bite again I will call the police, maybe if I see them out of their yard again. Why do people want dogs who bite?