Yes, I'm aware of this mentality and am trying to avoid it. Is it advisable to go talk to other surrounding farms to find out where the flocks are and to explain that we're not purposely letting our dogs roam? Let them know to call us and we'll come get the dogs if they end up in a neighbor's yard? We are new (6 months) to the "neighborhood" and I want to be on friendly terms.
Yes on all accounts. Give them your phone number and get them to associate your name and face with your dogs. Still folks with threatened stock will vary wildly in respect to how they will react. With repeated visits by problem causing dogs, virtually all will take action against your dogs and in most areas killing your dogs will be within their rights. You gotta confine your dogs until they have been proven to not be a threat to livestock. Some folks will kill dogs regardless of threat presented. Remember livestock can include other animals.
I have 18 acres and dog does not restrict his activities to it. He also patrols neighbors place where geese and ducks are kept. Scoob is not a threat to those birds but something(s); coyotes, bobcats, other dogs have been taking a few. As a result those birds get stressed when Scoob visits which concerns me.