Ultimately it really cant be establised whether or not Ralph killed the dog. So it is my default to lean into he most likely didn't.
I wouldn’t go so far as to presume Ralph didn’t do it. At most, it should be left an open question pending further investigation.
Fact is, an ex-classmate has made this accusation, and Ralph has corroborated several key aspects of that accusation: (1) the dog actually died in the suspicious manner described, (2) Ralph had previously been to this kid’s house, because they were actually friends at one point, (3) Ralph was aware of the manner of death, of being hung from a chair.
Ralph says the dog died while they were at school, and that he wasn’t friends with this kid at the time. Therefore, he suggests, it would have been impossible for him to kill the dog without sneaking into an enemy’s house while they were at school.
But Ralph’s explanation does not resolve all the questions surrounding this incident. When was Ralph last at this kid’s house, and why? When were they “friends” previously? When did they have a falling out? Did the dog actually die when they were at school, or is that just when it was discovered? Because I can imagine a situation where Ethan and this kid were friends up until the previous day, but then they get into an argument, and Ethan kills the dog on the way out the door without it being discovered . That’s not actually very far-fetched. In fact, that’s completely in Ethan’s character—when he has a falling out with someone, he goes out of his way to get revenge in extreme ways. His narcissistic rage compels him.
And why would this guy lie about Ethan killing his dog? Just to smear him? Making up lies to smear people is actually something Ralph does. I have no reason to think Ralph’s accuser is lying. If anything, I’d be inclined to credit the accuser here.
And are we really supposed to believe this little wiener dog hung himself? That he spontaneously decided to hop up over the back of a chair? Give me a break. That’s a very suspicious way to die. I’m not gonna chalk it up to a freak accident without more information.
I think there’s more to the story. We can withhold judgment until more facts come out, but that goes both ways. If there’s one thing we should all know reading this forum, it’s that Ralph does not deserve the benefit of the doubt.