Is it permissible to kill harmful animals?

The questioner : Regarding the issue of killing animals, we say those that are harmful, meaning like a snake or birds of prey and others like them. What is the ruling on killing them, O our Shaykh?

The Shaykh : Naturally, if it is established that an animal harms the Muslim, then every harmful creature is in the Fire and it is permissible to kill it. However, regarding snakes, they have a specific ruling. If a snake appears in the house of a Muslim, he should not rush to kill it, due to the possibility that it is one of the jinn who inhabit the homes of Muslims and take the form of snakes. Because something like this occurred during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). And as a result of not knowing this distinction that we are now explaining, a young man from the Ansar died. He had recently built a house with his family. That is, this young man left his house one day for a need, and when he returned, he found the bride at the door of the house. This was a great disgrace at that time, unlike today, of course...