Do you think it was Grace who did it?
No, I don't. And here's why I think that: We have had Grace for almost 6 years. She was 4 months old when we got her. I KNOW her temperament. She'd a PAIN in the butt when anyone comes to the house. She barks, she defends her house, she especially protects her girl, my 16 y.o. daughter.
We have cats, birds, fish, hamsters, the whole time we have had Grace. She is NOT small animal agressive. She's had plenty of opportunities to show us if she were. Stray small paws have come in to our yard many times, up to the front screen and she barks at them to let them know it's her house, 'hey, mom, someone's here' and then she starts waggin' and wantin to play with them. I had not had the opportunity to really assess Timber's temperament, we had only had him for 2 months. However, in that time he attacked our PhatCat twice, to the point of coming up with fur in his mouth, and chasing our other cat every chance he got. He was many times stronger than Grace, and he hadn't bonded very well with us. He still had that wild look in his eyes, unsettled. Well, I truly believe Grace came out of the fence first, barking her usual "You are too close to my home, BACK OFF!" Then Timber heard the ruckus and joined in. That's when the trajedy happened. He didn't know when to stop. He got aggressive one day last week with Annie while she was napping on the patio. I tried to break it up, but he was serious, not playing as he has before. I don't believe Grace killed the neighbor's dog. We are responsible for our animals. We will do what is needed in this situation, but I'm not willing to give up Grace for a possible misunderstandi
ng by the neighbor lady. She had to be so upset while this was happening. I feel horrible for her loss. I still don't know what to do about that. But, having 'slept on it' (with little sleep) I stick by my assessment of Grace's part in this. I will defend her, and do what I have to to keep the peace around here.