If cat owners and parents feel safer in some parts of the world than in others that is interesting, but I would suggest it is more likely to be a reflection of differences in the environment than in their level of committment.

However that is a different discussion which really doesn't belong in this thread.

If the way that a public service is experienced by someone subjugated to it as inhumane and barbaric, the prima facie assumption has to be that it is in fact inhumane and barbaric. If it should be the case that the behaviour experienced in this way is in fact normal practice, this may indeed make the actions of officials concerned less blameworthy, but it does not make the practices more acceptable, quite the other way round.

There's a lighter side to most things - I loved the bit about the officials asking the girls if they belonged to any gangs, only to getbteh respopnse "I'm a member of Appledore library."