If someone hit your dog would you be justified in hitting them for doing so?

Question

I mean this seriously. eg. your dog has done nothing to this person but they decide to hit it with a stick or something It happens.

My dog is 16 and wouldn`t hurt a fly!

Answer 1

No ............ however much I'd want to hit them it would be wrong! Violence only breeds further violence and if I retaliated so would my dog, if she hadn't already! She'd be the one 'punished' in the end and that is a risk I'm not prepared to take.
In my case they'd have to be a bit stupid to hit a full grown German Shepherd anyway and unless they were on my property wouldn't get the chance to! Outside she's under control and doesn't approach strangers or other dogs!
If it DID happen I'd be on the phone to the Police and have them charged.

Answer 2

There's a huge difference in the kinds of hit and touch. I have given my stubborn dogs a sound pat on the rear as a correction when they were doing something dangerous. I am sure it stung enough for them to get the message and as a result they do listen to me. I would never deliberately hurt my dogs. The very sound "pat" is sufficient, or always has been and that has always been a very rare occurrence, reserved for those situations where nothing else works and there is danger involved. Now, that being said, in the heat of the moment: Yes, I have given a couple of them a swat. And I did my best not to act "guilty" because they deserved the sound pop... but I did feel bad about the way it happened. But I forgave myself and their psyche was not so damaged that I had to call the dogcologist (:D). Seriously, as several others have said, things happen sometimes and we may react in a way that we would not normally act; especially if there is danger involved. I always try and keep a cool head and remain in control, but crap happens...especially with dogs. On the other hand, I have never slapped or hit my dogs to the point it could be considered abusive. They have never yelped out from a swat or pop and have never been physically injured. To be perfectly honest, I have been very lucky with the training techniques I have used and a touch on the side with a single word command usually proves very effective.

Answer 3

Well, if your dog was off it's lead and was making a bee line for this person who may be scared of dogs, of course they will take a swipe at your dog.I'm a dog lover, and have one of my own, but I have had to protect myself more that once when some body's dog has had a go at us.I've never hit another dog, but I have waved my stick in the air to scare them off and shouted at the owner.
It's a difficult question to answer to be honest.But just try and think that not everyone loves dogs.I'm quite scared after being attacked by a neighbours dog as a kid.I love my own dog, but I am scared of other peoples dogs, especially when off a lead in public.

Answer 4

Having had dogs for a long time, theoretically I believe my dog would have the right to rip that persons arm right out of its socket and hit them with the soggy end.
However being a responsible dog owner I know my dogs would not retaliate in this way.
I would not hit them but i would put my dogs out of their way and then discuss their actions with them, if they seriously hurt my dog then i would without a shadow of a doubt seek legal advice and pursue legal action against them if necessary.
Its irresponsible owners who fail to properly train and control their pets that get dogs a bad name and illicit this kind of response from people who are frightened by dogs or dont understand the nature of dogs.

Answer 5

I would seriously loose my Temper if someone hit my dog with a stick for no reason!!

Answer 6

I would slap them so hard that they wouldn't be able to move for a week!! We have a dog at home called Lady and she wouldn't hurt anyone, she just licks them a lot and nips people-not intentionally though because she's a puppy still after all at 5 months old! :-) She is a cross Jack Russell and a cross Yorkshire Terrier, She's gorgeous and if anyone tried to hurt her and made her yelp for nothing, I would give the person/people who hurt her a punishment they will never forget!!

Answer 7

Legally, since it is the dog being attacked, rather than you, you cannot hit the person back, just report it, or restrain the person and report the person to the police and RSPCA. However, if the person hits you *first*, you are allowed to defend yourself , within reason, ie up to the same level but not higher, ie if a thief goes into your home, unless he beats you up, you can't beat him up for no reason, even if he steals your property. You can restrain a person, mind you.

Answer 8

No, I wouldn't. That would be fanning the fire. Instead, I'd get the heck out of there with dog in tow. Who knows what this person is capable of doing next?

Answer 9

If it is an adult, I'd report them for animal cruelty if I had witnesses. If no witnesses, I'd punch them a few times to see how they like it. If it was a kid and Id no witnesses, I'd kick their a rse. Luckily for me, it would take either a very brave or a very stupid person to hit my dogs, one's a large male Rottweiler who is very protective of my other Rottie puppy!

Answer 10

If some one went to hit my dog with a stick or any thing I would not stand there & let them.