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.