[Jeff Higgins]

That's a pretty serious looking snake the cop is holding.

So, shot it someone's backyard, right in front of a bunch of kids? Oh, the humanity! Where are all of our hand wringing ninnies now? Why are they not screaming bloody murder? Killing this poor creature, who had not harmed anyone (yet), rather than humanely capturing it and releasing it back into the "wild"? Inexcusable! Discharging a firearm with children about? Even more inexcusable! It's a wonder they weren't all killed by wild ricochets from this irresponsible yahoo. Worse than that - they have all been scarred for life - they have seen a gun. Oh my...

But wait a minute, boys and girls - all is well. You see, this was all handled by the authorities. No one was ever in any danger, because the firearm used was brandished by someone in authority. No reckless homeowner took it upon himself to take action to protect his own children. No, he called the authorities. Only the authorities have the wherewithall and proper training to deal with these tough situations, to make life or death decisions regarding potentially dangerous animals, and to use firearms, especially around children. The homeowner did the right thing. He did not act, he called the authorities. As such, all is well and good in the protected little world of the hand-wringing ninnies. Phew... that was close...