Did my dog do it?

[Meeker]

You are absolutely correct CrazyTalk and I don't have a problem with keeping the dog off their property. I've been training him to do just that since day one.

I started this post trying to understand if the dog could and what the remains would look like if a dog had been responsible. I understand that it is possible even if all the details don't add up.
Trying to get sympathy for my dog isn't my goal here... if he did it I'm more than willing to treat him accordingly. I just don't like being told to punish my dog when he's earned my trust to be off leash.

For all I know the dog could have killed the possum after/during it's attack on the turkey, which by the way the neighbors have lost close to a dozen chickens to. But before I have this conversation with my neighbor I want to get my facts straight first.

 

[enola]

The fact that you admitted that your dog plays with a calf shows that your dog has no respect for livestock. When my neighbor sees a dog playing with his calves, the dog never goes home again. . .

 

[Folly's place]

Punishing your dog isn't the issue here either; keeping him home ALL THE TIME is. Investing time in training is great, but he's still a dog, and will go exploring if he is motivated to do so. Fencing is the answer, and may save his life. Mary

 

[enola]

Punishing your dog isn't the issue here either;  keeping him home ALL THE TIME is.  Investing time in training is great, but he's still a dog, and will go exploring if he is motivated to do so.  Fencing is the answer, and may save his life.  Mary

To this i would like to add DOING WHAT EVER it takes to keep him off of other people's property. Which usually means some sort of PHYSICAL barrier. Different dogs respond to 'territory' training in different ways. My dog would stay inside her 'territory' as long as Moma wasn't watching........

 

[sdm111]

Sorry but once your dog left your property everything else is irrelevant.

 

[centrarchid]

Yesterday I was approached by my neighbor, of six months now, claiming, putting it nicely, that my dog killed one, of two, of their turkeys AND a wild possum but none of the dozen or so chickens they have freely roaming around. The neighbor is insisting that my dog be leashed and never allowed on their property.

I found this claim to be very concerning since my dog, well trained, has never shown any signs of interest or aggression towards farm birds. The only killing I've seen him do are mice and voles. At night my dog is indoors and during the day he's within eye sight, never wonders off. Yes, he will go over to the neighbors but it's usually to visit their dogs (always chained up), play with their calf or look for chipmunks. 

I personally have not seen the dead turkey or possum but my neighbor says that there were no maul marks, eaten portions or torn out feathers/furs. What could have done that? dog? poison?

The killing apparently happened during the day but I, working outside rebuilding my farmhouse, never heard him bark or come back with any scratches, feather or fur on him. I want to be a good neighbor but my dog is there to patrol and protect my land otherwise I would have gotten a cat, which I have two of.

I can't explain the killings but I'm wondering if it has anything to do with my neighbor, who shows signs of a classic passive-aggressive personality, not liking my dog "taunting" one of hers that's always on a lease.

When it comes down to it I just find it very hard to believe my dog killed a possum and a turkey but none of the chickens all in a short amount of time and in the same area.

Suggestions/Advise?  

I have been in your position and solved it, twice. First involved my dog leaving property and accused of killing neighbors birds. I confined my dog and killing continued. Then my dog under my supervision killed the predator. Second instance involved second younger dog that dig kill neighbors duck and persecuted his hens. I had to acquire ducks to train dog to leave ducks alone also and get on to her about getting into birds not mine. I keep chickens as well yet that does not preclude dog from going after birds not mine or that are out of place.

My dogs now run about but also provide protection the neighbors benefit from. Getting them there is a high investment / high risk endeavor. If neighbor does see / acknowledge benefit, then you are obligated to keep your dog confined.