While I am glad you had a positive outcome. Turning your dogs "loose" as a result of a punk landing a piece of your food on the ground could have ended in a lawsuit and a dog put to sleep had one of them bit someone.
I agree that they were in the wrong, but I don't agree with your response. It was drastic, an over reaction and could have cost you a hospital bill. If your fine with that, I am too. Just keep in mind if they were also armed, they would be justified in ventilating your dog and suing you for the cost to get stitched up.
If puffed chests result in violence on your part, please keep your dogs at home and stop carrying.