(1) It's more likely you trash was scattered by raccoons or a coyote than stray dogs in the USA - Possibly even bears in a few areas... (2) Simply tell Dad that you did as he asked by putting out the garbage at night. That won't necessarily be the end of it, but it's a good starting point.... (3) Never put food waste in the garbage without putting it in something relatively air tight. Nocturnal animals find food by sense of smell. Even a tied up grocery bag is better than just dumping food waste in the garbage can or bin. Unfortunately once animals find a reliable food source they keep coming back. They have memories and a degree of intelligence.

I agree with you on everything except the street dogs comment. Although they are rare in the US, there are pockets of areas that do have difficulty with street dogs. A few areas of Texas and California have issues with wandering dog packs as well as smaller southern communities that suffer from high poverty rates. In these areas there isn’t enough money to provide proper animal services and owners are less likely to spay or neuter their dogs either. It’s not common, and Obama’s administration tried to set up a program to reach these areas and address the issue, but they do still exist.