My friend is a very decent, upstanding citizen. She paid a lot of money for a dog and hired a trainer, etc. The dog lived in her home. She decided to give the dog away when she had a baby (she and hubby don't need the money so they didn't sell the dog). They interviewed several people and requested to see where the dog would be living, and asked if they could call occasionally to see how the dog is doing. They decided on a family--and found out that the family had given them a false address---and that their house was a mobile home and the dog was kept in the yard, chained to a tree. My friend called them to check on the dog and they told her not to call or come by again.
Fair or not fair? What are your thoughts?
2007-11-14 08:56:42 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
In case anyone revisits this question:
My friend and her husband did visit the place where the family lived--only the family pretended it was their home---when it really belonged relatives. My friend was so excited---beautiful home with huge fenced yard with plenty of room for the dog to roam (a Dalmation). The family just wanted an expensive dog for nothing.
Nothing against small mobile homes...except, the family told my friend that the dog would be kept in the home...and purported to be living in a large home, when they lived in a small mobile home, and kept the dog chained to a tree.
My friend had certain stipulations for the new owners, and she was lied to.
2007-11-14 16:25:10 · update #1
I admit to a high degree of moral relativism when it comes to situations like this. Your friend did make several mistakes in transferring ownership of the dog, but that fact does not make this outcome fair. I would not hesitate to steal the dog back, place it temporarily with a friend, and wait it out. If the people are as irresponsible as they seem, it will blow over and they will move on to the next unsuspecting dog owner.
I'll also admit to a crime I committed in the interest of some defenseless animals. I once went to a very grungy animal shelter in rural NC looking for a dog to adopt. I found an adorable mixed breed pup and decided on it. There was also someone's lost Dalmatian there. I was told to come back in 72 hours.
When I returned in the specified time, my dog had just been killed, and so had the Dalmatian. They gave me sort of a weak "oops," but that was about it. I was so upset! As I was leaving, I passed by a large cage full of kittens on the outside back of the shelter. Before I really thought about what I was doing, I went to my car, emptied out the bag I used for work, and ran over to the cage. I loaded 11 kittens into it, returned to my car, and took off.
It took me about a month, but I found the greatest homes for all but two of them! Those I kept. What an exhilarating crime.
She won't regret getting her dog back, but she will forever regret leaving it. She may want to find a more legal means of doing it, though.
2007-11-14 09:42:51 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is why I usually suggest that people be very careful when rehoming an animal and always charge an adoption fee. People lie all the time. Adoption fees tend to get rid of the low-lifes who can't afford to properly care for a dog.
It's also preferable to use a rescue organization or a "no-kill" shelter than doing it yourself, because most screen potential owners carefully and have the experience to do it.
Your friend is stuck now that she has relinquished the dog. Some places make tying out a dog or not providing proper shelter illegal. She can check with her local animal control agency and find out if that is the case. If it is, she should report these people.
2007-11-14 09:02:42 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No, that's not right. I think she should call the cops because those people got the dog on false pretenses. Also, don't judge people just because they live in moblie homes.
Wow, the lengths some people won't go to.... I say go get that dog. He will be extremely unhappy, not getting what he needs, besides food and water. Dalmatians need a lot of exersise otherwise they get yappy and sometimes mean. I had thought about getting a Dalmatian, then I read on how much exersise they needed. I decided to get Shih Tzu instead. They don't need alot.
2007-11-14 09:03:45 · answer #3 · answered by blue chaos soɐɥɔ ǝnlq 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like she could get her for some type of fraud - I had a similar situation but with two dogs and my best friend really wanted these two dogs - I told her that she could have them only if she planned to keep them together...she said she would and I gave her the dogs - later she gave one of the dogs to her Dad...I reminded her of our agreement and she said that they were her dogs now and to leave it alone....so I went to the local court house and I placed a lawsuit on her - just before we were to go to court she put them back together so I dropped the lawsuit............maybe your friend could try the same.
Also, if your friend already has vet visits and trainer time - then there are witnesses that she owns the dog - she can go where the dog is...put it in her car..drive away with her dog....if these people are THAT shady, then they probably aren't going to call the cops simply because their other scams may catch up with them. Even if they do call the cops - so what -they STOLE her dog and she was just getting it back...she already has proof that it is her dog.
2007-11-14 09:03:42 · answer #4 · answered by kim 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They turned over ownership and nothing anybody can do about it. They could call the local ASPCA and report the way the dog is being treated and keep complaining-maybe eventually the dog will be taken away, but at this point-nadda. Sorry. ANYONE wanting to give a dog away has every right to have them fill out an 'application' (can find them on the net or type one up) and check them out-100%!
2007-11-14 09:04:20 · answer #5 · answered by wi_mbr 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not fair, but without a contract she has no legal right to see the dog or even communicate with these people. If the dog is not given shelter she can file a complaint with the local humane society or animal control. Otherwise, there isn't much she can do.
2007-11-14 09:04:18 · answer #6 · answered by melissa k 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Best they can do is to call the ASPCA or animal control and report that they suspect the dog is being abused and then hope they take the dog away. Unless the new owners signed a legally binding contract as to how the dog would be treated there isn't much else they can do. Hope it all works out for the dog.
2007-11-14 09:05:37 · answer #7 · answered by USMC Wife, Pit Bull Mama 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If she knows where they live I would go get the dog myself one day whe they weren't there....I mean seriously....that poor dog is going to suffer in a chain? GO GET IT! and next time your upstanding friend decides to give away a dog she needs to ask to look at the inside of the home also....if someone loves the dog and wants the dog bad enough they don't mind showing the inside of their home (i adopted a pit and the rules were random visitation and walkthroughs of the home...I didn't care b/c I LOVEd the dog I was about to get!!!)
what kind fo dog is it??
2007-11-14 09:02:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You said she ask for the address, but she apparently didn't visit or she would of known it was a mobile home (what is wrong with a mobile home??) She didn't do all her homework, she asked the questions ,but didn't check to see if the answers were correct. No being tied up to a tree is not a good life for a dog, but hopefully the people are feeding it and taking it in with bad weather.
2007-11-14 09:05:30 · answer #9 · answered by squeaky130 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A dog is for life not just for christmas child or no child, when you get a dog you have to commit to it for as long as it lives! I really dont know how anyone can give a dog away just because they have a baby unless of course the dog is vicious!
I love my dog as much as my children and wouldn't even think of giving her away!
I think they are no better than the people that own the dog now if you are really that concered phone the rspca.
2007-11-14 09:13:06 · answer #10 · answered by Hannah 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋