What is “their” area or territory? At one time, virtually every place in the world was wild with few humans. There is no place that “belongs” to a wild critter. They have to adapt to us, not the other way around. I don’t favor indiscriminate killing of wild creatures, but we come first. As you’ve stated, predators have a place in our world. But there is no place we cannot go. Be careful where we go, yes.
Here, it is generally accepted that a city consisting of subdivisions with homes on less than 1/2 acre-30 miles away in SA, “city” lots are 1/4 acre or less, except in la-de-da gated neighborhoods. Cities have grocery stores, lots of commercial properties, etc. Obviously, except for a couple of greenway areas, SA is not a wildlife habitat area for anything but squirrels and birds.
That is why I don’t live there-I like it in the country where I grew up, but it is not for everyone. The nearest city-type groceries are at the general store, 5.6 miles away. There isn’t even a post office within 16 miles.
Lots out here are mostly 1 acre or more-and since early 2000, any new ones platted have to be over 2 1/2 acres-it has been one lot, one dwelling, no exceptions for over 30 years. This area is resource-conservation oriented-there are also two large state designated wilderness areas in close proximity-you cannot build within several acres of them. So, I definately live in the territory of the wild animals-state fish and game and natural resource commission says I’m welcome to live here, hike, bike and enjoy, but the critters were here first. Pets running loose teach the predators to be lazy (they normally eat deer, birds, varmints etc), and to hang out near humans for easy meals of what my daughter calls soft, slow city pets. They also lose their fear of humans, which makes them dangerous.
A neighbor who moved here from the city loved letting her two standard poodles run free-thought it made them happy, even though she was fined twice, and told they would end up eaten by predators or being shot by a rancher for running livestock. She ignored the sheriff, and soon after, one of the dogs fell victim to the resident mountain lion, and she demanded the game warden shoot the cat. She was told to get over it, mountain lion was here first and let that be a lesson in “real” country living.
She was also told that if the remaining poodle was caught running loose, it would be picked up and re-homed with someone who would keep it safe. As I said, living in the boonies it is not for everyone-the rules are different where humans are not the only ones who matter.