Urgent - What right do I have?

Question

I've recently rescued a dog, I took it back to it's owners, and they didn't want him, and offered to give him to me free, we took him, a couple of days later, they are demanding some money for it. We have all of it's paperwork. If they were to take this to the police, what rights would we have? We have everything for the dog, there was no paperwork or anything to sign, it's mine and someone elses word against theres?


What would be likely to happen?

I have the paperwork they gave me which they had from when they it was a pup, We have everything for him, his old bowls, kennel (not that we would need it - litterally everything!) We've reported them to the RSPCA, as it we believe it was abused. We didn't make them sign anything, or do a contract etc, because we never imagined this would happen. I Do NOT want to give the dog back, as it's very happy here, and I can't really pay them the money, due to the fact, I haven't yet been payed.

The only thing is there signiature is on the paperwork, I now own due to the fact, that they got it from a rescue centre..Im just at a loss of what to do. :(

Answer 1

well technically if u offered them the dog back and they didnt want him and they offered to let u keep him and u said yes and have all the paperwork and everything for the dog the dog is technically yours. there is nothing they can do about it. they had an opportunity to get money for him and they didnt and they gave him to u so now he is your dog.

Answer 2

I think you have been given a lot of really good answers. They would have a hard time proving you "stole' the dog from them since they turned over all the paperwork. HOWEVER you are obviously dealing with people of low moral character. So in the interest of keeping the dog safe and in your possession keep a close eye on the dog when it's outdoors. I wouldn't doubt for a second that this whole thing came about because they mentioned letting you take the dog and someone else told them they could have gotten money for it. They won't care where te dog goes, at this point it's just looking like a dollar bill to them. So make sure they don't steal it some day because they might have a cash buyer or another place to stash the dog.

Been there, done that. Be careful.........

Answer 3

When you say you have the paperwork for the dog are you talking about a legitimate kennel club's registration papers (i.e. AKC papers)? If so, and if the previous owners signed the papers transferring ownership and you have sent in the transfer, transferring ownership from the previous owners to you, then the dog is probably yours. But, to be sure you'd need to check with an attorney.

It's doubtful the police would do anything other than tell them that they need to take you to court if they want to try and get the dog back. It's unlikely they'd do this since court would cost money and they'd likely lose if you have all the dog's papers and things. But there's always a chance they'd win and then you'd have to pay for the dog plus court costs. If what they're demanding for the dog now is less than the cost of going to court, I'd consider paying them and demanding a paid in full signed & notarized receipt. But it's up to you which way you want to proceed.

Answer 4

If you've got all the paperwork I can't see how they can claim the dog back. You took the dog back to them and they didn't want it and gave it to you along with the paperwork. To me that's the end of it, they can't now ask you for money. I doubt very much if they will take the matter up with the police, they are just trying it on and even if they do I can't see the police getting involved because you have proof of ownership in the papers they gave you.

Answer 5

It would have been best if you had gotton a signed note from them saying they were giving you the dog. I doubt if the police would act since it would be hard to prove theft,(you have the dogs papers) It would be a small claims court probably. I expect you would win .

If you think they will call the police , you could go to the police station and ask them what would happen. Ask as a what if ?
what if I found a dog , and when I returned it the owner gave it to me , and its papers , and then days later , they said they wanted it back ,or a lot of money or they would call the police ?

Answer 6

First I would ask the people how much they want for the dog. Maybe you can just make this all go away for 50-100 dollars and that might be worth it. I would ask them why they gave you the dog and then turned around some time later and are asking for money. And I would RECORD the entire conversation.

If they want more, then I would turn back around and countercharge them for all the food and care that you have given him since taking him in. (call a local vet or boarding location and ask what the daily fee is). Again, record everything - or at least write it down.

If they deem that unacceptable. Get signed statements from your vet about what care he has gotten, shots and copies of all records you have for taking care of him and for how long.

Then I would march my butt to the police and file a harrassment complaint and a blackmailing complaint - which are both crimes. Go in and file a report as quickly as you can stating the WHOLE story. Bring all recorded and/or written statements of the conversations that you have had, all copies of vet records. And get that into the file. Also, ask the police what they think you should be doing. If need be,you may be able to get a restraining order against these morons. It sounds like they are hard up for cash and are trying to come back and get money out of you.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Don't give them a penny.
These people are obviously scumbags who care nothing for the dog or being a decent human being.

You have everything going for you, in court it would be argued that they wouldn't have given you the ownership papers if you still owed them money so they don't have a leg to stand on.

Play the bluff, tell them you have contacted your solicitor and they don't stand a chance in court but will go there absolutely no problem if that is what they want.
Make it sound as you are confident about what your saying, make them feel they haven't got a chance (which they haven't) and they will walk away.

If they don't then tell them your solicitor has advised YOU to go to the police about them demanding money from you.

Remember, these people care nothing for this dog and giving it them back will probably cause it even more suffering, you've done a great thing so don't give in.

Answer 8

I would suggest trying to discuss this with the previous owners and ask them if there was some sort of communication problem, as you understood they were giving him to you for free. Ask them why they are demanding money from you now.
I don't believe there is anything they can do at this point, since you have the dog and the paperwork. Did you have witnesses with you that can back you up? If so, there's nothing they can do.

Kim at: http://www.peaceful-organic-planet.com/natural-pet.html

Answer 9

the police would not get involved they would class it as a legal matter for the small claims court as far as the law is concerned they have given up there ownership of the dog. in law a dog is classed as goods not as a dog .
the police might come around to your house but how did you get the dogs paperwork if they gave it to you with the dog they said you could keep the dog with the paperwork .i think you stand a good chance as far as law goes.

Answer 10

If you have all the paperwork that shows ownership, that should carry a lot of weight as it is proof they turned all the dogs' records over to you. I'm not an attorney so maybe there is an aspect of this that I am not seeing but I would think that you have more proof that they gave you the dog than they have that they didn't.

Answer 11

Because they gave you the papers, the dog is legally yours (my opinion. I'm not a lawyer) It sounds as though they are trying to pull a fast one. Perhaps they have done this before. Let someone get fond of the dog, then demand money. Could be a scam. Whatever they are up to, take no notice.