You've hit the nail on the head KaraC! Ministry officials are quick to jump to conclusions with little or no information. They respond in the usual knee-jerk fashion. History teaches us that when official agencies are reactionary, the consequences can be devastating. Dumbledore is no fool. He knows his enemies operate out of two camps--Voldemort's and The Ministry's.
Neither is Dumbledore a coward. War is always an option but he knows it must never be the first option. War is so unforgiving of all creatures that it can only be the LAST option.
For everything else, there is Mugglemastercard.