A woman responded after her neighbor’s child splashed water on her cat by pouring water back on him, sparking tension between the two households.

Some critics focused on developmental psychology. They argued that children, even at 10 or 11 years old, are still learning impulse control and empathy.

From that perspective, adults are expected to model restraint rather than mirror immature behavior. One response questioned how a “fully developed adult” could respond at the same level as a child who is still growing and learning.

Another layer of the debate involved property and boundaries. Pets, while living beings, are legally considered property in many jurisdictions.

Some commenters argued that if someone interferes with your property—or your animal—you have a right to respond. Others countered that responding directly to a child crosses a social boundary, even if the act itself is harmless.