Killing wild animals to "protect" your pets?

[Kfamr]

I was just wondering everyone's view on this.

There's a "lady" on another forum I visit who recently killed a copperhead snake who was on her front porch. She got close enough to kill it but didn't want to relocate it?


I myself don't see any reason in killing another animal when relocation is available and easily done. Now they're accusing me of being a member of PETA because I don't believe in killing wild animals just because they are on my property. :rolleyes:

[K9soul]

I can hardly get myself to kill anything. I wouldn't have wanted to kill the copperhead but I wouldn't have tried to relocate it myself either I don't think. I may have called the conservation department or something to relocate it. At least when I lived in Missouri I know you could do that. I'd be nervous for the dogs until I knew it was relocated though. I have a different view on snakes than many do though. I'd have to say I'm of the same mindset as you, although if something was actually in the process of hurting my dog (i.e. biting/attacking), I would probably do whatever necessary to stop it. But that's more "self-defense" and not really the same thing as what you are talking about.

[lvpets2002]

:) Well I am not one for killing anything even a snake; but this being a Copperhead which is very deadly to humans & pets Yes I would have killed it.. For sure if one of my pets was around.. Now if the snake was just out in a field & not bothering anyone then I would not have a problem leaving it alone..

[Maresche]

If it were regular, run of the mill type snake, I probably would have just let it be. But the fact that it was a copperhead and therefore poisonous, changes the outcome for me. I probably would have killed it or asked my husband too. I live in a busy neighborhood with lots of little kids including my own 1-year old and don't like the idea of leaving it until someone else came to take it away, because that probably wouldn't happen around here. I could call a number of places but I doubt anyone would come to relocate the snake.

I wouldn't feel great about it, but I think I would do it.

[gemini9961]

I would try my best to relocate it. When we first moved into our house we found a snake in the yard. We were not sure what is was at the time but later found out it was a Pygmy Rattlesnake. When we found it we carefully scooped it up on a shovel and moved it to a vacant lot. I have never seen it back in the yard again but if it does decide to visit I'll move it back again. I have seen other snakes in the yard but non-venoumous ones so I just make them scurry away so the dogs don't try to catch it. :eek: If it was a larger snake like a Diamondback, which I don't think I would ever see in my yard, I would call someone else and have them get it. I don't think I would kill anything unless it was already attacking my dog.

[critter crazy]

:) Well I am not one for killing anything even a snake; but this being a Copperhead which is very deadly to humans & pets Yes I would have killed it.. For sure if one of my pets was around.. Now if the snake was just out in a field & not bothering anyone then I would not have a problem leaving it alone..

I completely agree!! I have many pets and two children, if there was a copperhead on my porch i would definitely do something about it!! as far as relocating it, how can one do that???? i would not do it myself, and by the time someone came out to my place to care of it one of my animals could have been hurt!! If i was able to kill it without endangering myself, yes i would!! same goes for any animal that could/would endanger my family or my animals!! I so far in my life have never had to perform such a task, but i would if i had to!!

[moosmom]

I have to agree that if it was a non-venomous snake, I'd have relocated it. But given it was a very dangerous copperhead, I'd have called a specialist to come and remove it, possibly donating it to a zoo or something.

All of God's creatures were here LONG before we were. Regardless of how dangerous they are, they deserve a place to live too, even if it IS at a zoo.

[Glacier]

We don't have any dangerous snakes, insects ect to worry about around here, but I've had the experience of one of my dogs being attacked by a wild animal. Hobo just barely survived a wolf attack. I know of only 2 other dogs who have survived what he went through. I would not hesitate to kill a wolf on my property. A wolf out roaming around in the forest or even just outside of my fence is a different thing. I don't agree with many predator control programs aimed at wolves ect, but a wolf in my yard thinking my dogs are it's dinner, is dead. I actually chased one out of my driveway in February. Hopefully, I scared her enough that she stays gone.

Moose are extremely dangerous to dog teams and won't hesitate to wade into the middle of a full team and start kicking. We've never run into an aggressive moose and I hope we never do. I'm not sure what I would if we did run into one as I don't carry a gun on the sled(lots of mushers do). I'm not a good enough shot for that. I do carry an axe and I think if I had to, I'd use it to defend my dogs.

[Cataholic]

I am against killing "things", creepy crawly or not. I have been guilty of killing spiders/flys, too! But, I have also transported many a bug outta the house.

As to snakes- which is a huge fear of mine- I relocate them. I had a huge dilemna several summers ago... Dakky had a teeny snake in his mouth. :eek: I was too afraid to remove it, but, didn't want him to harm it either. My solution? I screamed and screamed and screamed at him, and he dropped it, thank God. I also had every neighbor out of their house for a 5 block radius. :o

Kay, we don't have native venomous snakes here in my area....which is non-rural. I don't know what I would have done if faced with a copperhead. Killing it would be a last resort. :(

[caseysmom]

I do see your point Kay and agree with you. That being said I have killed 2 rattle snakes in my yard, at the time I was too scared to think of how to safely relocate them.

[Vela]

If it was in my yard I'm afraid I would have to kill it. I hate killing anything and even pick up worms and put them back on my lawn after it starts drying out from a rain but a poisonous snake is a different story. If it were not poisonous I woulnd't care if it was there, as it couldn't kill anyone. My kids and pets take top priority and there is nobody to call here to get rid of it. If I waited for someone to come and get it (not even sure who around here would), I could risk it wandering off into someone else's yard and killing their children or pets. I wouldn't risk being bitten and possibly dying or losing an arm to save the snake. I would hate to do it but I'm afraid in that instance I would have to. We have had many other types of snakes in the yard and they don't bother me, I think snakes are awesome, but not poisonous snakes in my yard.

[Kfamr]

I could fully understand if it was attacking her dog or causing harm - they were playing feet away from it and it didn't bother them!
I wouldn't hesitate killing something that was hurting my dogs.


But it wasn't causing them any harm at the moment and they could have easily gone inside, called someone and had them remove it.

[caseysmom]

Kay, I guess for me I feel like if I let the rattlers live they will have babies. I know we build on their homes but I don't want them around I can't help it, lots of houses in our neighborhood have had them turn up in the garage etc.

I guess I am trying to keep the population down.

[lizbud]

I would have the snake removed ASAP.I wouldn't try to hurt any
animal or reptile unless they were a direct threat to me or my pets.

You don't have to be a PETA member to hate animal suffering.

[My Peanuts]

I know Harley kills anything in our yard, but as far as humans in my household doing it, I think it's wrong. Not only couldn't I do it I wouldn't. On the other hand, if an animal was attacking one of my pets I'd do what I had to to get my pet back safe.

[Pam]

I wouldn't even know how to go about killing a copperhead but if I did I wouldn't hesitate. Anything poisonous in striking range of my dogs would be history.

[Lady's Human]

Having had a lot of experience with snakes, and the Army's attempts to control them peacefully, I would have killed the copperhead. Anyhting dangerous to my kids, pets or Jen and I would have to be dealt with.

We have Coyotes around here, and we leave them alone as long as they leave us alone. If they come in too close there's no choice. You guys don't even want to know what the local animal control officer's answer would be to a call about a 'yote.

[critter crazy]

Having had a lot of experience with snakes, and the Army's attempts to control them peacefully, I would have killed the copperhead. Anyhting dangerous to my kids, pets or Jen and I would have to be dealt with.

We have Coyotes around here, and we leave them alone as long as they leave us alone. If they come in too close there's no choice. You guys don't even want to know what the local animal control officer's answer would be to a call about a 'yote.

I hear you about the coyotes!! we have lots here as well! we have to keep our eye on them,and if they get too brave and come too close they are history!! You should see wht a coyote will do to a new born foal! not to mention dogs, cats, chickens!!

[CagneyDog]

We have a bad coyote problem around here. I would NEVER kill a coyote if it wasn't harming myself or my dog. They are amazing creatures and have every right to live. In the end, it's us that are invading their territory so what do we have to punish them for? For many animal attacks people are to blame (not neccesarily with snakes, but coyotes etc) because they become WAY to tame. It's never the right answer to punish the animal.

[Flatcoatluver]

I have a phobia about snakes. I can't even look at pictures without crying. They scare me so much. So I really can't say what I would have done.

[CathyBogart]

: a Copperhead which is very deadly to humans & pets Yes I would have killed it....

Please don't spread misinformation: Copperheads are NOT usually deadly to humans. In fact, I'm not sure there are ANY recorded deaths from copperhead bites. There may be a few, but I know that in knowledgeable herp circles they are recommended as "beginning" venomous snakes because they are NOT DEADLY.

That being said, there are very few venomous snakes in my ares, but there are a few and I have the number in my phone of someone who I can call to come catch and release the snake elsewhere should one ever decide to turn up...(on my second story apartment balcony?!? Somehow I find it unlikely...)

[KYS]

In my mind reptiles are different. (now all reptiles and animals have
a purpose) but......
It would not bother me a lot if someone else killed a venomous snake.
(I do not think I could do it.)
As for animals, my feelings are different.
If you move to an area where we infringe on their habitat than you
just have to expect your animal getting killed goes along with the territory.
(it is up to us to keep that pet inside the house when alone)
Unfortunately as humans keep moving up into the hills/their
habitats the animals start coming down into the city to survive.

(now if the animal was actually attacking my pet, I would try to
save my pet no matter what.)

[K9soul]

Please don't spread misinformation: Copperheads are NOT usually deadly to humans. In fact, I'm not sure there are ANY recorded deaths from copperhead bites. There may be a few, but I know that in knowledgeable herp circles they are recommended as "beginning" venomous snakes because they are NOT DEADLY.

Just want to ditto this. Copperheads are dangerous but not a deadly venomous snake. Of course if one were bitten you'd need to seek treatment but there would not typically be any danger of dying from the bite. I believe rattlers are quite a bit more venomous (esp diamondback). Corals are the most venomous in this country I think. We don't have corals in my area but I admit I'd be pretty scared to approach one of those. But they are pretty secretive snakes, generally nocturnal and usually are not seen. From what I've read, coral snake bites are very rare.

No snakes in North America are the types where if bitten you die within 60 seconds type of thing. If you are bitten by a poisonous snake in the U.S., you simply go to the ER/hospital and get antivenom, I think deaths by snakebite here are quite rare. Now in other countries/continents, Australia, Africa, South America and so on, there are much, much more venomous snakes that truly would be classified as very deadly. None of this is absolute, fact, but what I believe from all I have watched, read and learned. So anyone more knowledgable (Cathy? ;)) feel free to correct me.

[Barbara]

I would never kill an animal just because it is there (Ok: moskitoes ;)). We are in their territory, not the other way round. And many of them are threatened species because we are in their territory

Of course I would try to act differently if they attacked me or someone who was with me, whether it is a pet or a human. I am however not sure - I would be afraid to get bitten by a wolf or a snake. And I know I couldn't probably kill a chicken even if I hadn't had food for weeks so I better stay with my normal job ;)

The only time I got near a dangerous animal was a diamond back snake in Anza Borrego N.P. We had lost the main way while hiking and I heard it rattling before I saw it :eek: like 10 ft away. I managed to stand still and then back away slowly. When I was in a little more distance it slid between some rocks. *phew*

I am very glad that I could see a beautiful animal like this in an area where it lives (although I am VERY glad I saw it not 5 seconds later ;))

[Lori Jordan]

In all Honesty i think i would of put my dogs in the house and called the right people to come and deal with it,People who know how to handle snakes,No i would not kill it How could you im not a snake person nor do i like reptiles and stuff like that,but i would never take ones life that is not fair!!!!!!They were not put on this earth to be tortured either!!

[CathyBogart]

Now in other countries/continents, Australia, Africa, South America and so on, there are much, much more venomous snakes that truly would be classified as very deadly. None of this is absolute, fact, but what I believe from all I have watched, read and learned. So anyone more knowledgable (Cathy? ;)) feel free to correct me.

Aye, you're exactly right. Australia has the snake with the most potent venom, the Inland Taipan, and South America has critters like the Fer-de-Lance, who I certainly wouldn't want to get near.

I know the hospitals in my area carry antivenin year-round because I called around after I spotted a rattler at a nearby park once. I'm ashamed to admit that it didn't occur to me to call and ask the vets in my area until just now, but I will check with the emergency vet and make sure.

[Miss Z]

All of God's creatures were here LONG before we were. Regardless of how dangerous they are, they deserve a place to live too, even if it IS at a zoo.

Donna, that is exactly my view! I would not kill another animal unless a pet/person was cornered by the animal and was in serious danger, and I would be very unhappy and disgusted with myself even then. There always has to be another way than death in most situations. And donating the animal to a zoo is a pretty good idea if the animal is a 'repeat offender', ie is around human residence a lot.

[beeniesmom]

Put in the same situation, I would have called a trapper and had him move the snake somewhere else. I've had many wild animals in my yard and have done just that. A trapper recently caught 4 possums in my yard and relocated them to a remote wooded area.

[Alysser]

I would have tried a nicer solution first. Of course, I would never try to handle a wild animal by myself as I am no professional but I would have called a professional who knows what they are doing. My neighbor killed a opposum because it was on his shed, which had me upset with them for quite a while. The animal didn't do anything wrong and I don't see the point in killing it. Of course, if the animal had hurt my pets or family I would have something be done to put an end to the animal but I would never hit it or anything that drastic.

[slleipnir]

I don't think I could kill anything (other than maybe a bug...:o). I was rather relocate it. Then again, we don't have too many threats around here like that. Maybe coyotes...Don't think I would want to try to kill one of those though.

[CathyBogart]

In the neighborhood I grew up in there was a coyote killing outdoor cats for awhile. Even though it had killed the cats, the residents still pitched a FIT when the authorities wanted to put out leghold traps, saying that they were cruel. (not to mention what else might get caught in them!!!) As far as I know they eventually humanely trapped it and relocated it.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I wouldn't have killed it either. I'm careful because I've seen rattlesnakes around here before (though never actually in my yard). The only thing I've seen in my yard is a black racer who has lived in our bushes longer than we've lived in our house. We first saw the racer just after we moved in and 5 years later we still see him quite regularly (Justin saw him 2 days ago). :)


One time when I was little I was outside in my yard and there was a raccoon running around like crazy, right near me. I went inside and told my mom. My dad wasn't home, but my uncle lived just down the road and my mom called him. My uncle feared he was rabid and came over with his shot gun. After seeing how the raccoon was acting (and in the middle of the day nonetheless) my uncle decided the best thing to do was to kill him. I would have never been able to kill him, though I think my uncle made the right decision for everyone (raccoon included) at that time. :(