Bittova Rant

[Boots]

Just letting off steam here folks... am so annoyed.

Have been woken up with an accusatory phone call stating "Your dog killed my dog!"

Seems these neighbours went out yesterday afternoon between 5pm and 8pm and left their dog out. They have woken today to find their little old ratdog dead under the clothes line, with its intenstines missing this morning.

They have decided my dog has done this. And refuse to listen to the fact that my dog was by my side the whole time (we were bricking) and simply had no opportunity to do this. With all the animals I have here, she is clearly not a killer.

My dog is a German Shepherd and I realise they have a reputation she doesn't deserve. She is always by my side, and when I go out she comes inside the house. She is very well behaved and never left unattended to roam, as there are wild dogs here that have been crossed with Sheps and I figure she may be shot if permitted to roam - so she isn't allowed to, and doesn't try to. If we are working outside she is quite happy to be out there with me, and just likes being part of whatever is going on.

I have heard ongoing dogfights at this neighbours property and rang another neighbour to see if she had heard the dogfight we heard over there about 7pm, and her phone diverted to her in another town. She had already been contacted and is convinced that it was my dog because "they have never liked each other".

I am so frustrated by this. I know it wasn't my dog - but there is no telling the neighbours that. They weren't home and yet they seem to think they can accuse without any consideration for error. I was home. I heard fighting and my dog was by my side when I heard it. Just makes me want to pull my hair out.

[Shirley]

blimey boots!!!

That's a serious accusation... i hope that there are some tests that can be done to prove your dogs innocence.

I had two german shepherds and they were both fantastic dogs...

Hoping all gets sorted out quickly for you

[Boots]

Yeah it sucks Shirlz. They have buried the dog, so I doubt there will be any factual enquiry... just ongoing blame. I understand they are upset, but blame has never brought anyone or anything back.

Bugger of a way to start the day.

[Wombat]

It seems to me Botts that it is up to them to prove your dog did it rather than up to you to prove your innocence!

Nev

[The Chili Monster]

I'm no animal behaviourist but ... intestines missing ... that doesn't sound like a pet or working dog ... More like one of its ferral cousins.

Wombat and Shirlz are right. It's up to your neighbours to demonstrate that your dog was responsible.

You know your dog was at your side at the time and she will be for some time.

[Millymollymandy]

So sorry to hear this - I suspect your neighbours are not thinking straight at the moment - if this was a pet dog they must be distraught. Do you have dingoes in your neck of the woods? Do they do things like this?

[Boots]

Well, busy bricking away today and the dog tells me there is someone coming. I look up and its the copper! Far out.

He asked me if I am the owner of the German Shepherd that killed the neighbours dog. I tell him I own a German Shepherd but she has killed nothing. He was pretty reasonable and says it is not really a matter for the police and has advised the neighbour of this. He said he thought it would be fair to call in and get my side of the story though.

I tell him I have no idea how they can blame my dog, when they went out and left their dog roaming and just found it dead the next morning. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me, really. I would never accuse someone if I didn't see it with my own eyes, but they are just plain convinced it was Zara and that's all there is to it.

It is all a major hassle. I imagine if they are prepared to call the police, they will call the council, but the copper didn't seem to think they were going to. I guess I just wait and see what happens.

I asked the copper if I should ring the council and he said it was up to them to lodge a complaint, but in the meantime I should keep my dog on a lead in case anything else happens, and then there is no doubt where she is. I say there is no doubt where she was!

So I have spent the rest of the day, with my dog by my side on a ruddy chain, that I have had to relocate all round the farm, so I can do my jobs and she can do her bit and still be a part of things, because it is just not right to leave her stuck on the verandah when we have acres to tend and she is used to tending them with me.

I dunno... the old innocent until proven guilty thing is a farce I think, Nev.

And yes Chilli - I thought the same about the intestines. To me it seems more possible its taken on a snake and then the feral cats have fed on it during the night, but heck - maybe that is just too simple to consider?

A lot of the cattle farmers are complaining about dingoes at the moment Mandy. I haven't seen or heard any though. This is their country though and yes, I am sure they are another possibility.

They have an old pig dog over there, that they have told me can turn nasty, though I have never seen it. It has killed a cat though. Both dogs are/were males. To be entirely honest, I think I'd be looking more in their own backyard before I started pointing fingers at neighbouring dogs. I have a pic of the cat it killed, so might keep that handy for if I have to talk to the Council.

[Shirley]

Thinking of you Boots... or Botts ;)

My german shepherd was also called Zara - or Zaza or zazzie depending on the mood. Give your beautiful dog a tickle and a virtual dog biscuit from me

Anyway - good to hear that the police are taking a realistic view on it - and it's a good idea to keep that pic of the cat handy too.

[Wombat]

With you in spirit, mate. As the saying goes - up their bums!

Nev

[Tigerhair]

Ohh boots, I have 4 dogs so I really feel for you. However, clear your mind and simply know these things... you KNOW it wasn't your dog (sounds like it could have been any number of things - my guess is that a bird or something took the intestines), and they CANNOT prove a thing either way. So what are the council going to do if they are complained to??!! It was neglect on the owners part - leaving a dog out when they go out!???

The sad thing is that whatever your relationship with you neighbours was before, it won't have got any better with all this happening.

I am sorry for your dog - having to keep her chained is totally unfair and I cannot see what help it could be as the neighbours dog is dead and she is on your land!?

[albert onglebod]

Well they can accuse all they like but they havent got any proof have they?
Ours was a german shepherd too and our cat was the boss in our house even when he was a kitten.

[Lou8]

Oh I'm soooo sorry to hear about this.
Such a terrible thing to have happened to their dog. I hope they are just reacting like they have because of the shock and will come to see sense.

Poor Zara. Sounds like she is a lovely dog and you are very responsible - having her with you all the time. I agree that leaving the dog out for 3 hours when they are away is neglect on their part. Maybe they feel very guilty and obviously distraught and need to take it out on someone else.

Try not to worry too much. There is nothing they can do to poor Zara.

It really is so unfair that these wonderful dogs get such a bad reputation. Probably because they are such popular dogs and a lot of totally irresponsible people take them on not having a clue how much work goes into training such powerful dogs, that they end up getting a bad reputation.

Really sorry to hear about that - it is so unfair to you and your dog.

[The Chili Monster]

Lots and lots of virtual dog treats and toys for Zara. Poor dog must be very confused. I've never lived at close quarters with the breed ... not enough time or space ... as a child, my mother was petrified of Alsatians but loads of people have recommended them to me; moreso than any other type of dog.
This incident has proved awful for everyone concerned but hopefully it will blow over soon and Zara will be out and about with you Boots as you go about your work on the farm.

[Muddypause]

Tigz is right; if you KNOW it wasn't your dog, all the rest is hollow posturing.

[Boots]

Turns out this woman spent Sunday accusing me and then ringing the cops, only to get up the next morning and go over to another neighbours place and accuse them of exactly the same thing!

Yelled and accused this new family who moved in a week or so ago that it was their dog and she just knew it...

Far out man... the world is full of fruitloops! (insert kooky smiley here...)