Here's my question for ya!

Mark,
Last summer, I visited a paper-mill in Louisiana where there were several strays around. I tried to feed some and the rent-a-cop who was a young, twenty-something with "prettiest girl in town syndrome"
tried to kick one of the cats so as to scare it away from the food.

I informed little Miss rent-a-cop that if she hurt that cat, I'd file charges for animal cruelity and prosicute her to the fullest extent of the law.

As it happened, I got another driver to adopt the cat and they're doing fine together.

Question:
If you see such an instance occuring, just how far can a citizen go to protect an animal from another abusive citizen, generally speaking. Can you use the same force to protect the animal as you would yourself?

As a rule, no. Common law on citizen's rights to protect themselves from bodily harm are fairly well established in legal precedent; however, protecting animals (other than your own) is a little less so. In Virginia, animal control officers are charged with preventing cruelty. This may be physical in some cases. As a citizen in most, if not all, states you can file criminal charges against a person for an illegal act witnessed. So miss "better than the rest of us" could be charged with intentional cruelty for kicking a cat.

§ 3.1-796.111. Preventing cruelty to animals; interference; penalty.

Each animal control officer, humane investigator or State Veterinarian's representative shall interfere to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any animal in his presence. Any person who shall interfere with or obstruct or resist any animal control officer, humane investigator or State Veterinarian's representative in the discharge of his rights, powers, and duties as authorized and prescribed by law shall be deemed guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.