Australian Shepherd HELP

Question
We have had our female since she was a puppy she is now 4 years old.  This has been the BEST dog ever, she's so kind and listens to everything we say.  Well my husband just came in telling me we will have to get rid of her.  Supposedly my uncle saw her running with a boxer dog chasing the cows.   Now all of a sudden we have two calves attacked and my dog is getting the blame for it.  I just can't believe it she has never done anything like this before.  I just have a hard time.  She wasn't actually caught
doing it but she was seen in the area.  Would an Australian Shepherd do is?  And as this age?

Answer
I have no way of knowing, but generally speaking, herding breeds are not as likely as other breeds to attack livestock, although they often chase livestock if they are not contained.  When you think about it rationally, herders were bred for many years to have the chase instinct intact, but not the kill instinct.  If I were you, I'd not let my dog run loose any more.  As you can see, it can get your dog in a lot of trouble in terms of guilt by association, even if she was not the attacker.  If your husband won't relent, please ask him to let you foster your own dog in your home until a rescue can take her in.  Owner surrenders are usually the first dogs killed in crowded shelters, so her chances are slim if you are in the south or midwest and turn her in to an open admission shelter.  There are several reputable Australian Shepherd rescues: Australian Shepherd Rescue and Placement Helpline, New Spirit 4 Aussie Rescue, and Second Time Around Aussie Rescue come to mind. I have a Facebook group called Australian Shepherd National Help Line, and you are welcome to post her there if you need to. You can also try calling the breed rescue person via the AKC web page.  This situation could so easily have been prevented by some cheap deer fencing or a kennel fence, interactive dog toys, training a good recall, and a better plan for exercising your dog.  I feel terrible for you that you had to learn this lesson with such a beloved dog.  By the way, if the dog is licensed to you, you are the only person who can legally surrender the dog.  No one can force you to do so, and if it were me, I'd contain the dog, offer to pay for the calves no matter who did the damage, and buy a chain link kennel about 20 x 40 for her to play in when she isn't in the house.  My guess is that you live in a rural area, and that if she makes another mistake (even if she wasn't responsible for the attack part) she could get herself shot or worse.  You have a responsibility for this dog's safety.  She can easily be placed in a new home because she hasn't hurt a human.  There are wonderful homes with Aussie-savvy people waiting *if* you can get her into rescue.  Please don't dump her at a high kill shelter.