The children didn't understand, so by asking another adult neighbor they understood that it was a sin to kill a thrush because they don't do anything bad to anyone, all they do is " making music for our enjoyment" (90). When the children learn this information, it is the first time we see Atticus protecting innocence, which reveals his characteristics and what kind of person he is. It also establishes the book's theme of protecting innocence, as this is the first we see. Shortly after Christmas, the children decided to go exploring when the neighbor's dog, Tim Johnson, began walking slowly towards them. The children got scared and went home when Atticus and the town policeman were called to kill the dog because it had gone crazy. As the dog got closer and closer, the police officer couldn't shoot it, so Atticus took the gun and successfully killed Tim Johnson. Atticus was called One-Shot Finch and was talented with a gun,