He wasn't killed for wanting to save his child. He was killed for breaking the rules put in place to protect the town.
Still even in an apocalyptic scenery killing someone for stealing is extreamly exaggerated, the could have just sent him to their prison or forced him to join the people who search for more supplies as punishment, why do you think the mc reacted as he did
Right, yes he could be beaten till he become limp and yeah, join the so called hounds that provides them goods or some hard labor. Because heck naj, killing him is just too cruel. So I really think something is extremely dark in that seemingly peaceful place.
I don't give a fuck if it's apocalypse or whatsoever. Killing a person who just wanted to save his child is cruel. I think what's in that place is darker than what's outside.