I can only imagine that children and the elderly are “better” targets for the Cats. For one thing, they are smaller. Secondly, some (not all) of the elderly tend to walk a little slower. I am not 100% certain how a predator thinks.. but it seems to me that those two classifications of people are just what they would want.
I am very glad some of your neighbors have finally listened to you. You never know.. you could have just saved a life.
Predators share many behavioral mechanisms. My Irish Wolfhounds were superbly adapted to ascertaining the most minute changes in movement of potential prey or enemies.
Before the earliest men in the area that became Ireland arrived, the native canids were using such evolutionarily acquired skills to determine which ungulate might have an injured joint, a torn ligament, a split hoof, or any other injury which would make that animal an easier meal with less risk.
Men then bred those wolfhound predecessors for their ability to ascertain non-verbal ques to human behavior. The result was an animal that can read human body language to the extent that their usefulness as throne room guard dogs was such that export of such dogs was forbidden, and only the kings could afford to feed them, in any case.
Elderly and children move differently, as is true for all species. Predators key in on such different movements.
As Jefferson advised in his letter to Cartwright, “....let your gun be your constant companion on your walks.”
A common belief among the Founders was that “..it is the right and duty of the citizen to be at all times armed”. Given the rising frequency of home invasions, it is reasoned and prudent to carry when at home.