§ 123-a. Exemption from civil liability. 1. If any dog shall, without
justification, attack a person, or behaves in a manner which a
reasonable person would believe poses a serious and unjustified imminent
threat of serious physical injury to a person, when such person is
peaceably conducting himself in a place where he may lawfully be, such
person or any other person witnessing the attack or threatened attack
may destroy such dog while so attacking, and no liability in damages or
otherwise shall be incurred on account of such destruction.

2. If any dog shall, without justification, attack a companion animal,
farm animal or domestic animal, or shall behave in a manner which a
reasonable person would believe poses a serious and unjustified imminent
threat of serious physical injury or death to a companion animal, farm
animal or domestic animal, where such animal is in any place where it
may lawfully be, the owner or caretaker of such animal, or any other
person witnessing the attack, may destroy such dog, and no liability in
damages or otherwise shall be incurred on account of such destruction.