To all the animal lovers out there: What would you do?

Question

My distant neighbor adopted two puppies from the animal shelter a few months ago. He didn't keep them in a lot and just let them roam the neighborhood and they both took up at my house with our adult dog. My husband and I have fed and looked after these dogs for the last 3 months.

Last week we found one of the puppies dead on a neighbor's porch and buried it. We were extremely upset by his sudden death and thought maybe he'd been run over. Sunday evening I noticed the other puppy, who I named Jace, acting very lethargic and nauseous. I kept him in a cage in our house that night considering his brother had died only days before. I was worried they might have been poisoned. First thing Monday morning, my husband and I took him to the vet and he had parvo. He was there until Thursday and we were then able to bring him home.

The neighbor is now offering to pay for the vet bill, but I don't think he will take care of the dog. I consider him mine now and it has nothing

to do with the money. I'm supposed to give him medicine twice a day and take him back in a week for his shots. Is it wrong of me to want to keep this little fella, or do my neighbors have a rightful claim on him? I just want what's best for him.

Answer 1

If it were me, I would keep the poor little soul, you will obviously look after it far better than your neighbor and hopefully he will recover to enjoy a long and happy life with you & your husband. I have been known to "inherit" animals and I would do what you are already contemplating in a heartbeat. Sounds like you've answered your own question. Good luck

Answer 2

I totally agree with the peson above me. The neighbor obviously either doesn't care about the dogs, or doesn't know how to take care of them. YOu should tell your neighbor that you HAVE been taking care of the puppy, and that you would like to continue to do so. If you want to keep the dog, don't let the neighbor pay the vet bill. For some reason if this ends up in court, and you want to keep the dog, the owner paying the bill will make it look like they take care of the dog. Maybe the neighbor could visit the puppy sometimes (when you are home). Either way, it is definitely in the puppy's best interest that you keep it. Good luck!

Answer 3

When I adopted a cat from the shelter, I was given a certificate for a vet check up that included routine shots. If this neighbor adopted from a shelter, the dogs at some point should have been vaccinated when he took them to the vet for the check up. He has no excuse not to do that--it was included in the adoption fee, he would have paid nothing for that. It sounds like he got his dogs from some jerk passing out free puppies in a parking lot somewhere.

I think it's a dilemna, because even if you take in that dog, it sounds like the neighbor will probably just go and get another free dog somewhere and the cycle will continue. Do you think it is possible to educate such a person on what a dog needs? It's not your job, but think of the dog. Good luck and thanks for taking care of the puppy!

Answer 4

From what it sounds like that puppy is 110 times better off with you. Your neighbor was not taking care of them in the first place why would they do it now. Dogs can only get into trouble roaming around, it is bad for them and others. and if your neighbor really cared he would have taken those puppies to the vet from the beginning. he puppy would be much healthier and happy if you he was with you.

Answer 5

First of all, you should have turned in your neighbor to the local authorities. There is probably a law against letting your dog run loose.
Then since you were looking after and feeding the dogs, you should have asked to keep them. If your neighbor said no, then you should have turned him in without
telling him you were going to do it.
That may have saved the dog and it would
be alive today.
So, in the best interest of the dog that is left, I think you should keep it and take care
of it and not let it run loose anymore.
If your neighbor doesn`t like it, just tell him
that because of the vet bill, he is not
responsible enough to have a dog and that
you will be forced to take legal action to keep the dog.

Answer 6

Forget the neighbor obviously they have other things to do with their time other than care for the animals that the shelter shouldn't have given to them anyway. Keep the dog, Jace will be better of with you for sure and if he did take the dog back the dog would end up back on your front step anyway. Good Luck.

Answer 7

The neighbor should have immediately taken both dogs to the vet when he adopted them!! Thats what you are supposed to do, I know I have adopted from the pound before!! My dog had heartworms and we are taking care of it!! He let that poor puppy die by not doing this because the vet would have found the puppy was sick!! You should go to that pound and tell your side of the story!! You do not let him pay that vet bill!! The dog is yours!!! You deserve him!!! You fight for that poor little baby!!! He needs you desperately!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

I would keep the puppy, your neighbor already showed that he does not want the dog, for just letting him run the neighborhood. Finders Keeper Losers Weepers.
If the issue comes up just tell the neighbor, hey, you got these pups and turned them loose and they came to my house and I have been feeding them and taking care of them, so I have ownership of them (if they were running loose they are considered strays) so you can keep them

Answer 9

I was in a similar situation a few years ago - our neighbour brought home a small - very cute - hound mix cause he had always wanted one that he could call Bailey. (Great reason to get a new dog, huh?) Anyway, the poor pup was constantly left outdoors, day/night, sun/rain, with no shelter, food or source of water, so I took it upon myself to feed, water and love him along with my Bull Terrier and my cat.
One morning he left his driveway in such a hurry he clipped the puppy with his truck and could not have cared less. I ran to Bailey and took him to the vet - thank God he was fine. When I returned home I called our police dep't who took a report and said they would look into it. After they went to see the owner he came to see me and was none to pleased to have been visited by the police. I had told him on previous occasions that he had 2 options - either look after Bailey and if not I would report him or give him to me. I kept my word for Bailey's sake.
After that he built a doghouse and made sure there was always food and water. He was not a bad guy - just lazy. I still continued to feed and play with Bailey and he evntually re-homed him with his ex because they had 2 kids that adored him.
Stick to what your gut tells you - I'm guessing that if you say you are going to keep him - he probably won't care - but if he takes him back - warn him you will report him if the dog is not cared for properly. God bless you for being compassionate. It is not always easy.

Answer 10

Boy, there are (or could be) some legal issues here. I would suggest discussing this situation with the local animal control officer. I commend your efforts to help the pup, dealing with parvovirus is HORRIBLE. By the way, is your adult dog up to date on vaccines? Parvo can live in the ground and other surfaces for up to 2 years, and it can survive deep freeze. Bleach solution or a phenolic based cleanser will kill the virus.