There would be no doubt if a dog growled at me in my yard it would be dead right there. 40 caliber bullets do wonders on german shepards I know.
I have a 5 year old and I would not let something live that would pose a threat to her. You should not have to put up with that in your own yard. Yes a dog is a dog and deserves more sympathy than most humans because they are animals and we are not. Well we are not supposed to be.