Woman gave elderly mother a dog,now wants $300.00 or dog back is this legal?

Question

A woman heard that my Mother recently lost her dog(passed away) and that she was looking for another dog.She approached my Mom and said she had a dog that she was looking to find a good home for since she was starting a new job and she would not be home much to care for it. My Mom was very eager to have a new companion so she agreed to have the woman bring over the dog and check the potential new home out. She also stated that her grandson has diabetes and was granted a trip to Disney land by the Make A Wish Foundation for two weeks.Well my Mother fell in love with the little dog and had her for 2 weeks when the woman called and said she wanted $300.00 or the dog back. She had also tried to borrow money from my Mom on the day she dropped the dog off. My Mother clearly understood that she was taking the dog for free(she is too cheap to pay that amount for a dog)I live in Florida and I want to know is this legal?? My Mom is so upset that this woman would try to extort money from her.The woman went to Disney for two weeks and said she needed this money to pay a electric bill.

Update:

Thanks to all who answer,,just as I thought,my mother is giving the dog back because she lives alone and she is afraid of retaliation from this con artist.But I think I am going to make a complaint at The Police Dept anyway.

Update 2:

We had to call police and made a report as it is a civil matter it will have to be taken to small claims court,my mother still has dog as of now. What a scam,Mother told woman she wanted $250.00 for pet sitting fees. Woman said she was gonna call police and say My 83 year old mother stole the dog.Thanks again to all.

rescue member · Accepted Answer

Tell your  mom to inform this woman that the next time she tries to extort money from her (and that is what's she doing), she will file a complaint against her with the police - then tell her to do it.

If your mother is "elderly", you or she can contact the agency in your county that protects the rights of the elderly - just ask the police or contact one of your county commissioners to find out how to do that.  

Never let anyone try to blackmail you or extort money like this woman is obviously doing.

The dog is hers to keep as it was given to her outright.   If the woman disagrees, the burden of proof is on her and she needs to file in Small Claims Court to get the dog back.   Since filing there costs minimum 250.- in Florida now, I much doubt the gal will do that.

wonderingoutloud · Answer

I'm no attorney, but, it would seem to me that if the woman wanted/needed money for the dog, she'd have mentioned it right at the get go. To wait 2 weeks and then come back and say 'give me $300 or I'm taking the dog' sounds fishy. Perhaps your Mother can seek some advice from a pro bono lawyer in the area. Good luck to you and your Mom, and the little furkid.

Leigh · Answer

Sounds to me like she was looking for a free dog-sitter.  There was no contract that your mom was to pay for the dog.  The previous owner willinglly brought the dog to your mom and willingly left the dog there.  If your mom is attached to the dog and wishes to keep it, she should.  If she wants the woman off her back, she could give it back.  The decision lies with your mother-the dog is now hers, and she should do what she feels is the right thing.

K · Answer

She's probably just demanding money because she obviously needs it since she's already tried to borrow money. This is NOT legal since she'd already agreed to GIVE the dog away. Don't give her the money or dog back. That was the deal in the first place. I doubt she'd try to take you to court or anything because that costs money for court fees that she apparently doesn't have if she's trying to borrow and demand money all the sudden.

Karen · Answer

No, it's not legal.  If she was intending to sell the dog, that should have been made clear right from the beginning.  I would report her for trying to scam an elderly woman.  That's a serious crime in itself.

Kit_kat · Answer

what proof does the original person have it was or is her dog
has your mother taken the dog to the vets
is the dog mcrochipped and if so in who's name
unless a guarantee was written or the dog is microchipped in the ohters name there isn't much the other person shuld be able to do the dog is your moms

Hellz Kellz · Answer

Tell your mother to keep the dog. Free of charge of course. If the woman wanted to sell it, she should of stated that when she gave it to her.

KoAussie · Answer

Unless the woman has written proof that your mother agreed to purchase the dog, she is out of luck. Your mother was handed the dog by the owner and possession is in her favor.

Ceasars Mom · Answer

If its not in writing...have your mom tell this trick to go kick rocks...she hasn't got a leg to stand on.

Tell your mom, next time this person calls, to tell her that she can contact your mom's lawyer, and any further calls to your mother will result in a call to the police and harassment charges being filed.

She sounds like a hustler, and has probably used this scam before.

good luck

Alesi&#39;s Chis · Answer

Tell your mother to tell this woman if she wants to buy HER dog, she'll sell it to her for $900

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Woman gave elderly mother a dog,now wants $300.00 or dog back is this legal?

12 Answers