Coincidentally, whilst cycling along the shared path on my route this morning I came across a group of the regular dog-walkers there. As usual I slowed to walking pace as I approached them. One of the dogs (which were all off the lead) wandered over to me as I passed ("Good Morning" - err, me and the owners, not the dog!) just too close to safely continue. I stopped, the owner apologised, the dog sniffed at my ankle and I cycled on. No need or excuse for hitting a dog in a shared path: They, like walkers, runners, kids etc are expected users and should be slowed for.
Just as I trundled off I realised one of the group had said something about "knock over" and "dog". I turned back and approached them again, asking if they had said I'd knocked a dog over! Apparently the remark was about the dog (scarcely larger than my booted foot) might knock me off the bike - so that's all right then (don't want any nasty rumours starting). Of course this was all an opportunity for them to ask where I'd come from, was going and how far I'd cycled this morning ... people generally like cyclists IME and politeness to them (and their dogs) on shared paths, pays off.