There are so many animals to hate now aren't there. Squirrels, pigeons, foxes, rabbits, badgers, seagulls, etc., etc. All have been described at some time and by some people as "a nuisance" "vermin", etc., and yet none of them is anywhere near as destructive to the earth and to each other as human beings.
As to countryside folk, I think it is a generalisation to imply that they are more "pragmatic" than town folk. With fox hunting, for instance, there are many people living in rural areas who despise it, were glad it was made illegal and were unhappy when Theresa May considered lifting the ban.
In a recent article in the Guardian Ian Birrell referred to a new book re the de-naturing of the countryside and said:
"why do Britons seem to adore their countryside, with landscape woven into national identity and huge membership of conservation bodies such as the National Trust and RSPB, yet have ended up living in one of the planet’s most denatured countries? He highlights the terrible scale of habitat loss – half the ancient woodland gone over course of my lifetime, along with nearly three-quarters of heathland and ponds, plus almost all flower-rich meadows. The inevitable result is plunging wildlife populations from bugs to birds.""
I do understand why people would want to take measures to, for instance, keep squirrels out of the roof space. I'm sure I would feel the same. I would not feel comfortable about about a squirrel being captured and killed but I suppose if that was the only way to get assistance I would to agree to it. Having removed them I would do what Humbertbear said - take measures to stop them gaining access in the future. I would not wish to destroy every squirrel that entered my garden. And why are grey squirrels "vermin" yet red squirrels are seen in a much more sympathetic light?