Yes we should treat all animals with respect. Animals are not people though.
In this case you’re right, the snakes should have been killed respectfully.
Some day you will grow up.
Animals are not people - I never said that. But snakes have a useful function in the world. Most of them eat rodents and are better ratters and mouse killers than cats. They can follow them right down into their burrows and take them out.
I think there is a definite correlation between the spread of Deer Tick borne Lyme disease which requires an intermediate rodent host, and the extirpation of snakes in more heavily populated areas.