I hate to see animals get stuck in the middle of someone else's fight. I think it is cruelty to use your pet as a shield, to the detriment of that animal. Police dogs are trained (though that training can't possibly teach them how to react out of a desire to survive).
BTW...good to see you, hope to see you in a few months in SA if I am able to make it. :)
Looking forward to it myself. Cheers!
So is it cruel to use dogs for hunting dangerous game such as bear or cougar? Sometimes even coon dogs get handed their head by their quarry, is that cruelty?
Eastforker's point is dead accurate regarding dogs attacking dangerous targets.
I personally tried to make a larger point about how animal cruelty is completely subjective in many instances and should only be applied in clearly defined circumstances such as torture and maiming for entertainment. The real focus of these laws should be to head off the individual who gets enjoyment from cruel acts because so many serial murderers follow that pattern, and to prevent clear cases of uncaring neglect such as starvation.