Could you use deadly force to defend an animal / pet?

Craterloads · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:24

As above really, say someone took it upon themselves and attempted to kill your pet, cat/dog or what ever. Say to defend your pet you attacked the attacker and he died accidently, would you be charged?

Or the only way to protect pet, was to kill the attacker.

For example, a man holds a gun to your pet's head and the only way to save it was for you to shoot to kill first?

For example, a man holds a gun to your child's head and the only way to save him/her was for you to shoot to kill first? Surely you wouldnt be charged there.

Edit this situation is better explained

Craterloads said:
While i know the situation is unlikely, i was just putting the hypothetical situation out there.

Man got gun to your beloved cat/dogs head, is about to pull the trigger.

Your'e armed across the room, shoot the guy in the head to protect your animal.

How likely would it be you have to serve time, or would you get away with it under i don’t know say, diminished responsibility. Or whatever would be the case if we replaced pet with human.

JonJ678 · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:25

Reasonable force. No killing other people unless in genuine fear for your own life. Roughly.

Musty Pie · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:25

You would still be charged.

Craterloads · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:26

JonJ678 said:
Reasonable force. No killing other people unless in genuine fear for your own life. Roughly.

What about someone elses life.

OhEsEcks · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:27

Yes. Against another animal.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...-of-owner-in-revenge-attack-in-Hampstead.html

4T5 · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:30

Only if it's a Middle white pig between the ages of 2 & 4 years old.

Judgeneo · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:31

I don't think you could justify attacking another human over an animal.

OhEsEcks · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:33

Judgeneo said:
I don't think you could justify attacking another human over an animal.

Tell that to any animal rights group ever.

Zero Pope · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:34

Craterloads said:
What about someone elses life.

That's changing the question.

krooton · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:36

Judgeneo said:
I don't think you could justify attacking another human over an animal.

Whilst I wouldn't try to kill, I would have no problem attacking a human that was attacking my dog/cat.

Craterloads · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:37

Zero Pope said:
That's changing the question.

True, but some pet owners, treat there pets as members of the family so to speak.

p1RATE · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:38

‘Kid beats mother to death with hoover after hamster accident'

Zero Pope · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:39

Craterloads said:
True, but some pet owners, treat there pets as members of the family so to speak.

Good point, I think I'd answe rthe same as krooton.

krooton said:
Whilst I wouldn't try to kill, I would have no problem attacking a human that was attacking my dog/cat.

Skillmister · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:40

I wouldn't have a gun to use because this isn't 'MERICA so the bad guy with his illegal gun would have total control.

Soundood · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:41

Freddie Starr should take a killing for wat ee dun.

McGray · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:42

I would lop anyone's head off should they stir my goldfish.

Craterloads · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:44

Zero Pope said:
Good point, I think I'd answe rthe same as krooton.

While i know the situation is unlikely, i was just putting the hypothetical situation out there.

Man got gun to your beloved cat/dogs head, is about to pull the trigger.

Your'e armed across the room, shoot the guy in the head to protect your animal.

How likely would it be you have serve time, or would you get away with it under i don’t know say, diminished responsibility. Or whatever would be the case if we replaced pet with human.

estebanrey · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:45

Judgeneo said:
I don't think you could justify attacking another human over an animal.

Why not?

s2h81 · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:48

sorry but... nope killing him wouldn't be enough, if he had a gun to my pets head, think making him eat his own balls (just so he knows how small they really are, picking on defenseless animals = no balls imo) before ripping each tooth out one by one. granted flaws in my plan, as prolly need to make the charges higher, and kidnap an doctor too, to keep him alive while the rest of this torture is imposed. will leave the rest of it in my head, as even makes me cringe, (SAW1,2 got me strange looks in the cinema as thought it was a comedy ^^)

but even on a spur of the moment, you would still get charged, like for example, applying your breaks, so you don't hit a cat/dog in your car, and someone goes into the back of you is classed as your fault (even if the cats mystical and just getting at the twit that is up your ass while driving)

Judgeneo · 18 Dec 2012 at 13:48

I should amend that statement to seriously attacking. I'd punch, kick or grapple, but wouldn't use weapons or anything that might cause serious harm or death.