Horrid Story - please accept my condolences and pass them on to your friend! A bird of prey may have gotten to him? Which is the only reason I post - to give more ideas as what could have happened.
A hunting reserve would have many different species of birds of prey. I live in a wild life 'reserve' and there are MANY birds of prey and alligators here. I literally can see a gator eyes poking up from the lake in the back yard as I speak. So - my baby doesnt get to go ANYWHERE except the screened area around the pool. Makes me feel guilty but so would seeing a hawk or osprey pick her up and take her off!
But thats another option to throw around. If he was on the bigger size (8-12 pds for example) perhaps the birds talons penetrated but he couldnt lift off with the pup weighing so much. The talon marks wouldnt leave much blood - if any - because talons are SO SHARP. Same principle as getting cut with a sharp knife vs. hacked with a dull one. So - if still possible - I would look for puncture wounds.
Im sure the 'not knowing' is the hardest part. I wish I could hug you both!
