Killing wild animals to "protect" your pets?

[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 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 )

[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.