I am a total nature lover, and have never harmed any kind of animal in my life. I sobbed uncontrollably at the movie "Gorillas in the mist" when "Digit" (a gorilla) got his head and hands cut off by poachers, and still to this day can't watch any programs on TV about animal neglect or cruelty without going through at least one box of tissues. Hell, I don't even like to go to zoos or circuses because the sight of those poor caged animals makes me depressed as hell.
HOWEVER......
If a squirrel (or any other animal for that matter) ever hurt my child I would SQUISH it's head like an overripe grape, and not shed a single tear over the loss of the nasty beast! Ahem, sorry....got my super-protective mommy instinct going over this one. I am all for animal rights, but their rights end when they make the mistake of harming a person.
I think that grandpa should get a big ol' pat on the back for trying to protect the other children in that neighborhood.
Maggie