Kids are stupid, and annoying

I just had a mild confrontation with two neighborhood boys. I'm digging in my yard, letting the dog roam a bit in the yard. Not two minutes since I dug something from one side of the driveway to put in the front flower bed, I hear a scuffle. I look up to see a boy of about 8 or 9, IN MY YARD, and my dog is running the other way, toward the house. Clifford isn't sure what to make of kids and so is a little afraid of them. This kid appeared to have him cornered on the other side of the truck. I really couldn't see, but when the dog ran, the kid hurried the other way. I waited, because I could hear them on the other side of the trees, still going along the street, laughing to themselves. When they were back in my range, I confronted them.

"You don't go into someone's yard and mess with their dog!"
They giggled, the intruder pointing to the bigger kid with him. Maybe he was dared to go in my yard?

"You don't go in someone's yard and you don't approach a strange dog!"

This time I got a 'yes ma'am' out of them.
"Thank you."

But then they laughed again, which pissed me off further.

"If he had bitten you, would it still be funny?"

"No ma'am."

I'm sure they're not bad boys. Yet. But if my dog were to bite one of them, even through their own stupidity, it would end up being my fault. Even though the dog was in his own yard, minding his own business, their parents would rightfully be angry with me. I can't afford to be sued, especially over somebody's stupid kid.

Don't parents teach their kids not to tresspass and harrass people and animals? I would have never thought of doig such a thing when I was a kid, and I have always loved animals; I would have been tempted to try and touch someone's dog. But I didn't.

Because my mama taught me some manners. Get a clue people. If you don't teach your kids some manners, I will.