Would you believe your neighbor or your kid?

Our neighbor has a chicken coop which is located directly behind a low rock wall that borders our back yard. The field where the coop is located is owned by our landlord—also the neighbor’s landlord. For the past five years, our kids have been allowed (with the landlord’s permission) to use that field as an extension of our back yard. Also, the neighbor who owns the chickens has openly invited my kids to be involved with the birds. He let them name them, help feed them, etc. Just some background info.

Last week the neighbor approached me and said my seven year old son had been beating on the chicken coop with a large stick. He also said my son has been picking out the large staples that hold the chicken wire in place. My son adamantly denies doing either of those things, and my daughter (she’s 12 and is always outside with the boys) says her brother has never done any such thing. If I am not outside with the kids, I am watching them through the windows and also have not seen my son doing anything wrong to the chicken coop. However, sometimes I do run to the bathroom or to do other quick things and can’t say I’ve had my eyes on the kids every second they spend outside.

Without having any way to prove who is right, who would you believe?