Suzy Q,
It is actually against the law to kill a snake in the USA too. They are protected as well. But how often does anyone have a Game Warden walking behind them when they are around the cows or out in the pasture? Then that is when the snake haters commence to chopping and clubbing.
The only time you are allowed to kill a snake is if the snake is a deadly threat to you. It tells you how to get one out of your house if you find one. And it does not include killing it. The instructions are very detailed how to get a net or a waste basket and sweep it up. And this is for a Rattler. So, if that Game Warden that always catches you with his wife comes up, and you have killed a snake, you better have a good story of why you felt threatened, when you could have just walked away. You could tell him that you had sat down on the ground and fell asleep, when you woke up, the snake had swallowed half of your dog. You had to shoot him, or chop him up and you saved your dog's life. Or think of something more colorful.
Chuckie