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I don't think many people on this forum, even the more liberal ones are indicating that they'd lay down arms with someone actively trying to kill them.
I see a lot of "a thief is a thief" and "they get what they deserve" if they're killed stealing...
Then I think back to quite a few people that I've known that did stupid things between being a kid and an adult. None of which went on to be career criminals.
Everyone gets to make their own decision. Clearly it's not black and white.

That's a scary one...

jnichols2 wrote: My reply was in the spirit of answering a moral question. But legal questions have answers too.

I know.. It's more a commentary on the crappy "legal" situation of being a pet in Texas than a commentary on your post.

jnichols2 wrote: In a home attack, Texas does allow me to protect my property.

That brings up an interesting point. What rights do we have to protect our property away from the castle?
The closest I've come to displaying and possibly using a firearm is a pitbull on a public road walking with my dog. Luckily he wasn't people aggressive, just dog aggressive and getting between them shut it down.

jnichols2 wrote: I made an animal attack report on the pit bull. I correctly stated the pit bull first attempted to attack my dog, but turned to attack me when I tried to prevent it. The policeman I discussed it with urged me to get a CHL for protection. Then he told me that if I ever had to fire my gun during a dog attack off my property to remember if the dog attacked ME it was self defense.

I had a similar situation. My dog was leashed, I was in my yard, and my dog got into it was a roaming pit bull. My dog definitely bit first.
I reached in to break it up and it didn't go so well for me. It did get broken up though.
I leashed the pitbull, walked around the neighborhood (bleeding) until someone recognized it and I dropped it off. Apparently the kids let the dog out.
I didn't report it for two reasons:
1) My dog started it. (even though he was leashed on my property)
2) I know what would happen to the pitbull, that seemed to be an otherwise well mannered dog in terms of people interaction.

jnichols2 wrote: By the way, my dad taught me to never put my hands into a dog fight. A well placed kick is much safer and effective. I have done that, it works.

I was taught the same thing, but with softer mouthed dogs. I have not found kicking to be effective with German Shepherds. I'm rethinking my strategy.

jnichols2 wrote: My dog is not property, she's family.

According to the state of Texas, she's property and is valued as such, unfortunately. Texas is a crappy state to be a pet.

I'm with you though. I've reached into 3 fights. Two of those resulted in emergency room visits. I used to think that it was cheaper out of pocket to stitch me up than it was to stitch the dog up, but the last incident had me convinced that I might loose a finger.. I'll get in the middle now *before* it starts. After it's started, that's going to be the next tough call.

I have no idea... But some do. And I imagine those that are protected are thankful for it.
Then again, some will shoot a thief over a 6-pack of beer...