IMHO - It sounds to me like you are having a problem separating an act of savage cruelty with self defense. There is NO comparison. I'm confused why you started in with this whole diatribe about "vicious animals open on the roam" in the first place as it has no real application to this story at all. No one has yet questioned your actions or asked for pictorial proof of such actions. The OP posted a story that has NOTHING to do with your experience. The perpetrator of this savage and inhumane act is a P.O.S. and anybody who has to even suggest that he is somehow justified in such actions has ISSUES of their own that apparently needs to be dealt with.
Hmmm, I think my first post regarding the OP was misinterpreted by some of you. My sarcasm was directed at the Asst. Fire Chief. I certainly do not sympathize with anyone who deliberately abuses any animal, or human for that matter. Chances are, the A.F.C. thinks because he is a local big shot (Another egotistical legend in his own mind. ) he can do whatever he pleases with impunity. I see this all the time here in Terrible Haute. And the sad fact is too many of these jerks avoid appropriate punitive action for their crimes. But, however, there are proper channels for the agrieved to pursue. If it can be established in a court of law that the A.F.C., in this particular case, needlessly abused a non-threatening animal, rather it was on his property at the time, or not, then he should be convicted for cruelty to animals. His social status should have no bearing on his guilt or innocence.
Yes, I can distinguish an obvious act of cruelty from an obvious act of self-defense. It's just that the emotional outrage that some of you have exhibited about this incident is so intense it reminded me of the incident that happened to me.