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The Annoyed Man wrote: Heck, if I lived far enough out in the sticks, I might have left the house with a shotgun to go check on the barn. That said, once it became apparent that the source of the dog's ruckus was a car down at the end of the driveway, then yes, he should have stayed at the house and called 911.

I don't think it's that simple. A car is parked down the driveway. You have no way of knowing how many occupants it has. For all you know they could be getting ready to surround the house and who knows what comes next. And calling 911 is a crap shoot. Someone could be there in 10 minutes or 60 (where I live). I personally would prefer to go and check it out myself. I know my property better than a trespasser. Of course every situation might be different, but sitting in the house waiting for a LEO to show up may not be the best option. Heck, I have my own fire pump/hoses because I know my house would be smoldering embers long before the FD ever showed up.

Cedar Park Dad wrote: Legally he is fully justified to defend himself. He has made no criminal action whatsover. Farmer Bob coming out and drawing on the poster would have been the one committing a felony, not him.

So let me get this straight. The poster trespasses at night, and if Farmer Bob draws on the trespasser he is committing a felony?

As someone who lives way out in the sticks, anyone parking in my driveway and approaching my house late at night is going to be greeted with me armed. They may have a valid reason for being there (i.e. hitting a deer or hog or what ever), but just like Farmer Bob, I am going to be extremely cautious and suspicious until their story is verified. Someone just "claiming" they are having car trouble from a distance is not going to cut it.

As others have noted, response time for the sheriff dept can be rather lengthy. I'm not going to just sit inside waiting to see what one or more individuals may be up to.