A homeowner who defended his property from would-be robbers says he would do it again, despite suffering serious injuries after being dragged down the street while trying to stop an alleged motorcycle theft.

Shane Dawson, of Wingham in New South Wales, said during the early hours of Friday he was woken up about 1am after hearing one of his motorbikes start up.

"I dived out of bed and just ran. I didn't have time to put clothes on," he said.

Mr Dawson said he saw two people stealing his KTM 350 and KTM 200 motorbikes.

One person was attempting to ride a motorbike out of the driveway, and another person already was down the street struggling to get another motorbike to start.

"I just dived [on one of the people] and I grabbed him by the head," he said.

"I stuck my finger in his left eye, and I reached around with the other finger and stuck it in the other eye, so I had both middle fingers as far as I could push them in both eyes."

Serious bruising to head, split lips and grazed skin

Mr Dawson said they zig-zagged down the street before falling off.

"He ripped the helmet off and smashed me in the face with it, then got on top of me and punched me six to eight times," he said.

"He got back on the bike, but then I came good and jumped up and ripped him off the bike, but he got the better of me again, and hit me another six or eight times.

"I woke up on the neighbour's lawn, stark naked and blood running out of everywhere."

Mr Dawson's wife attempted to stop the other thief by using her car to block his escape, but both people got away, abandoning the motorbikes.

As a result of the ordeal, Mr Dawson suffered serious bruising to his head, as well as split lips and grazed skin.

Shane Dawson says he is recovering slowly. These photos were taken on Sunday, three days after the incident. ( Supplied: Shane Dawson )

Local police are investigating the incident and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

"We've given a description of the people to the police. Right at this time we're waiting for DNA to come through," Mr Dawson said.

Despite his injuries, Mr Dawson said he would defend his property again.

"I would do it tomorrow. The police and other people told me I should have let them take the bikes, but they're worth $25,000 and they weren't insured," he said.

"My house and shed are insured but not the motorbikes inside the shed."

How far can you go to protect your property?

Stacks Law Group chairman Maurie Stack said as long as someone acted reasonably when defending their property, they would not be found guilty of an offence.

"The gentleman in this incident saw someone trying to get on his bike and he tackled them. Anyone would regard that as resonable defence of his property," Mr Stack said.

"But just assume that he had a rifle and he shot the trespassers in the head.

"I don't think he would be able to establish a defence to a charge of manslaughter or murder, because it's not a reasonable act of defence of your property."

Mr Stack said there was a lot of difference if there was a threat to life compared to a threat to property.

"You've got much more leeway if somebody is threatening your person than if they're just threatening to take some property," he said.

Call the police

Mid North Coast Police District acting district commander Guy Flaherty said if someone found themselves in the same situation, they should call the police.

"Everyone has a right to defend themselves and has the right to defend their property. However, it needs to proportional and based on the circumstances," he said.

"Property can be replaced. It is best to leave it to the police and call triple-0."

