Quote Originally Posted by Lachlan 717 View Post
It’ll be either a murder/suicide or a suicide pact. The dog will be collateral - either a tool of spite if the former or unwittingly part of the pact if the latter.

Occam’s razor at play.
I would have to agree. Or an act of violence by outsiders where law enforcement is keeping quiet to aid an investigation. As to aliens, they used to visit this planet looking for intelligent life. Not having found any, they've given up the search.