Given the seeming lack of parental control, I would probably have contacted the police first. It's too late when the damage has been done.

The thing is this. This child recognized and trusted her instincts.

Also, no respectable man would stop and ask a little girl about a missing dog. We all know NOT to frighten children.

Well done! With any luck the parents will have learned a lesson.

The other day a friend of mine was telling me about her granddaughter and a confusion about being picked up from school. "She's 13. She just walked home because she knew where the key was hidden, and let herself in. "

I was horrified. That's exactly what we used to teach kids NOT to do. If they are NOT picked up, they must report back to school.

And if they ARE latch key kids, we taught kids particular strategies to follow. Can never be complacent.