I want to take my dog back . . .?

Question

I gave one of my border collie pups to a "friend" (ha) who seems to care less and less for this beautiful 1 yr. old. At Christmas he placed his two dogs in a Kennel which was nearly full. He agreed to place two medium sized dogs in a 2'x 3' cage. The little door to the outside had been locked for at least 9 hrs when I arrived to fetch them three days later. There was no water left for them. The room was dark at 1:30 p.m. My "friend" was aware of these conditions and left the dogs to that treatment. I have his dog (my ex-dog) now and I do not want to return her to him. What are the dogs legal rights???

Answer 1

You have no legal right to the dog even if she is being abused. You should report the kennel if they abused the her in the way you describe.

In the meantime for your peace of mind and the health of the dog, you might help your friend save face. Tell him you understand how difficult it is to take care of two or more dogs especially if he has to travel. Offer to take her back to save him the trouble of finding a new place for her. Let him know how much you miss her.

If you go on the attack or demand the dog back, you are more likely to build resistance and anger. Neither of those emotions in your friend will make him want to give the dog back.

Bottom line help the friend "want" to return the dog to you. (Then keep the friend if you want, or dump the friend because you don't want to have friends who mistreat their animals.)

Answer 2

Call animal control. Its really the only Legal option for the dog. If your friend insists on getting the dog back, you have no legal right to stop it from happening. For any legal recorse that you have in protecting the dog, you need to take pictures of its living condition or have the Animal control people come over and look at what is happening. If they feel the dog is being neglected they will remove the dog from the premises at which point you could tell them that you are interested in takeing care of the animal they probably wouldnt object because the kennels are overcrowded

Answer 3

You gave up your rights when you gave the dog to your friend. Think, if the dog bit someone right now would you consider yourself as the owner and liable or would you consider your friend as liable? Until the true owner gives up their rights to the animal you have none. The only rights provided to the dog are to be cared for properly. In order for you to prove this isn't being done you must report it and only after a vet or animal control deems the dogs conditions as unfit there is nothing you can do. Also, even if they do find the dog is mistreated that doesn't mean they will allow you to have the dog back. Sorry.

Answer 4

A dog is considered property, and has no legal rights. You could try contacting the humane society or animal control and reporting him for abuse and/or neglect. But they will have to either witness the abuse or the dog will have to show obvious signs of it (severe mange, starvation, bruises, etc.). But if you just take his dog, then you are stealing his property and YOU will be the one to get in trouble.

I suggest talking to your friend. Explain that you don't think he's providing a good home, and that you want the dog back. Maybe he'll agree, and you won't have to worry about it.

Answer 5

You'll burn bridges by doing this but, if you want whats best for the dogs do this.
1. give them back to their owner.
2. let them mistreat the dog.
3. call the local police department/aspca and report neglect/cruelty.
4. keep calling them to report the problem.

Either your friend will give the dogs up, shape up and treat the animals correctly or he will do even worse. Anyway you look at it, there will be change and if he/she treats the animals worse, there will be fines and punishment doled out by the legal system. You made a mistake, do NOT compound it by trying something stupid or outside of the law. Let the system work, just be dilligent about it and do not get frustrated if it does not work as quickly as you want.

Answer 6

first thing you should do is report that kennel to animal control! those conditions are absolutely unacceptable. even better, go back and take pictures before animal control comes (sometimes it is madatory for animal control to give the facility 24hours notice of a visit). i have worked at "bad" kennels but nothing compared to what you are describing. protect all the dogs in the area and get that kennel shut down.

Answer 7

If I understand correctly you have the dog right now?.?....keep the dog!!! change your locks!!! and let him kiss you hiney..as long as there is no record in writing that the dog was his and you have posession of the dog right now then he has no leg to stand on..and if nobody saw you retrieve the dog then he is kinda sh*t outta luck.....smile
he doesn't deserve it!!! also border collies are to active to be in a kennel alot.....
posesion is 9/10th of the law!!!!

Answer 8

Did you give him the dog, or is there a bill of sale? If you feel the animal is being abused in any manner don't give it back. If you gave the dog to him, there is nothing legal he can do about you not giving it back to him when the time comes.

Answer 9

Don't be fooled! There are legal ramifications for openly keeping his dog. As someone else pointed out, the courts view an animal as property, so it would be the same as keeping his TV. The dog could "run away" and you place it somewhere safe.

Answer 10

The DOG has NO legal rights as they are property in the eyes of the law. I am not real sure if you have any legal rights either. You may want to offer to buy the dog from the friend.