From the video, I think the dog was not intending to bite him, but rather bark. Notice how the dog changes course and the driver steps forward to hit him.
I agree with protecting yourself and that people perceive threats differently, butI think the result was a little excessive.
The fact that the driver did not tell the owners that he hit the dog seems suspicious to me. He clearly made contact and the dog continued off to the right. Why didn't the driver say that he hit their dog? Probably because he felt that he was in the wrong. That's my 2 cents.
Oh and poor Max, I think he is more than just "property like a car..."
I would change your perspective to 1 cent, two cents would give you too much credit for evaulation skill.
TOS.