http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2665987/posts
That article does not discuss the same story. That incident occurred in Arizona. This incident occurred in Indiana.
Story says that the animals were in a field, not in a fenced area.
The fighting dogs were found in a field apparently adjacent to the owner’s property. Likely the stray, realizing that the dogs were about to give him a righteous chewing, attempted to flee and the mastiffs pursued and caught him.
And yes, the cop should have shot the stray.
We are agreed on that score. The fact that a collar and part of a chain was on the female mastiff should indicate to any observer that these were owned animals that had broken loose.
Are you from this area?
I have never lived in Indiana.
Are wild dogs (aka “strays”) a problem?
In my opinion, strays are a problem no matter where a Freeper lives.
Is this owner a responsible person?
Since the owner had restrained the dogs (which pulled loose with justifiable provocation, that would indicate that the owner was concerned with keeping her dogs under control; unless further evidence turns up to indicate irresponsibility, I think we can safely assume a responsible owner.
Should one of my miscreant hounds ever require an attorney, you counselor, are it!
Said mastiffs were neither on the owner's property, or under the owner's control. Therefore counselor, the owners and not the dogs, were in violation of, I am reasonably sure, several local ordinances and state laws. Although since your assiduous research has turned up scant statutory evidence, the Wabash Valley in Indiana may well be a lawless frontier region.
Although it is certainly an intriguing legal concept, the owners have no right in law to permit their mastiffs to give a "righteous chewing" to any dog, stray or not. Of course a plea of "self-defense" might be entered. You have offered a "guilty with explanation," sort of plea here on behalf your canine clients.
Get back to the humans. The owners of the maligned mastiffs will no doubt bring suit, citing emotional distress, property damage, and irreparable psychological harm to the children who witnessed the horrible scene. They have a sort of half-fast case. Should be interesting. Of course, the stray will have to be subpoenaed as a witness.