As I understand it:jnichols2 wrote: Someone might remind me the Yorkie is legally considered "property" and I can't use force to protect her.
The policeman I talked to about the report reminded me that if I shot the dog, he was attacking ME, not the Yorkie.
You can use force to protect your property in Texas. I think you implied in your prior post that you can't do this because it's not covered under the castle doctrine. I don't know of any limitation indicating that force is allowed to protect property only at home.
In the case you mention, you're not using deadly force. You can't use deadly force against "property" - the Pit Bull. You could be charged with a number of other things, however, and there is probably a bit of cover-your-butt implied by the LEO who suggested that you were the one being attacked.
Someone correct me if I've got it wrong.
§ 9.41. PROTECTION OF ONE'S OWN PROPERTY. (a) A person in
lawful possession of land or tangible, movable property is
justified in using force against another when and to the degree the
actor reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to
prevent or terminate the other's trespass on the land or unlawful
interference with the property.