Killing wild animals to "protect" your pets?

[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!!

[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.

[slleipnir]

I don't think I could kill anything (other than maybe a bug...). 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.