verisimilitude.. there is no reason to be rude to somebody who is already rude and insecure.. as you gave the example of Dog.. sure you won't want to go to the level of the dog and bark back.

As for people who are asking for tit-for-tat. i already said.. i won't want to mess up with the police as i am not sure police will listen to him or us.. a guy with family is always at upper hand.