Having lived in nyc 26 years and other major cities for an additional decade, im firmly in the shoot and shovel camp. I now live just inside a very small cities limits and am an outlaw chicken owner.That is a story unto itself. I am primarily concerned with the welfare of my family and pets, any danger should be removed, be it a raccoon, loose pit bull, or larger more dangerous predator.
As for the "its the stupid owners fault" argument, yeah it is. The law does not allow me to shoot people just for being foolish or even negligent. I ride a motorcycle, I see inattentive, neglegent drivers all the time. That doesn't give me the right to do anything more than chew them out at the next light.
The law does allow the use of force to deal with dangerous animals.
Dealing with the animal seems to be the lesser of the two evils.
My idiot brother had a cocker spaniel years ago, had its throat torn open by a pit bull that jumped the fence, the owner apoligized and paid the vet bill but the dog was never right after that. It started randomly biting family members. It had to be put down because after years of nipping it bit my sister in law in the face one Christmas eve. The real damages can never be repaid in dollars.
Now you understand where I'm coming from.
For all those who are concerned about hitting people or homes downrange of the attacking animal, use a semi auto shotgun.