If this dog bite was something other than a playful thing, then maybe the reason it happened was because of the way it's treated. Finding humor in 'shooting at, or around' a dog, shows someone who is going to mistreat an animal.

If Megan was concerned enough to bring up the subject, then there must be some reasonable concern.

I am trying to take into account that it is a rural area, and people and their attitudes are different, so maybe I am really wrong in my feeling about it. I have never lived in an area where that was the common attitude.

However, I don't think it makes it 'okay' that people treat animals that way.
And if so....it's time to try and change that, yes???