[ARridgerunner]

I grew up in the country, around all kinds of animals and dogs foremost. Stray dogs would come around occasionally, and unless it was very sick or aggressive it wasn't killed. You are within your rights to kill any animal, human or otherwise, if it threatens your safety or that of your animals or livelihood. And you should. Duty is duty.

But any killing other than self defense is emotional blood sport. One sees it everywhere these days. And I do mean everywhere.

People should control their animals, but how can they do that when they can't control themselves? Poisonous people usually have poisonous animals.

[little jeremiah]

You are right, and I do agree with you.

Right now the situation in the world is crazy and there is no easy solution to any problem.

The other point is that parents and guardians have to very carefully protect their defenseless children because the world is so dangerous - bad dogs and bad people.

When I was a kid I wandered by myself all over rural (mostly) and suburban (one year) neighborhoods, went for hikes, long bike rides, by myself or with another kid or two. No problem. I would never allow children to do that now.