Adopted a lost dog now somebody is trying to claim her...?

well, in general the owner's rights aren't relinquished until the owner abandons the search.

But, that only applies if they are in fact the owner of this dog. If they can't prove it then there's nothing they can do.

Other hand, this might be a good opportunity for your girl to learn about doing good deeds. Especially if there's children in the other family.

Bottom line its your call. Maybe they have some way of demonstrating ownership, like an unusual command response or something.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Invite them to call the police. The burden of proof is on them.

If it's their dog they should have at least one picture. I can't think of any other proof someone would have, my vet papers could apply to any red dapple female Dachshund. I would have no proof other than pictures with my younger puppy. And they're red dapples, what other description of them is there?

If it was spayed ask to go see the vet who spayed it. I don't know if they take pictures of all their patients but my vet has pictures up of some of the ones they see.

If they provide something like a picture or a trustworthy witness you should give them back their dog but require them to refund your vet costs.

You think your daughter is going to be devastated after a few days, think of what people who've had the dog for a long time are going to be, plus think of the dog who has already bonded with a pack.

Personally it sounds like it's not their dog.

ETA,

Your last addition sounds like you're trying to justify kidnapping someone's dog and makes me question how truthful you are being. Whether they are irresponsible or not is not the issue. Should've stopped while you were ahead.

ETA again,

My dogs aren't microchipped because I have never had a dog run off and I Dachshund proofed my fence weeks before I even found one.

Although after reading this thread and people's willingness to keep dogs that aren't theirs I'm thinking about microchipping (I'm not saying that dog is theirs, just some of the replies you got are "finders keepers" and now I'm wanting some undeniable proof).

Some people just dond try ,to go to the humain dog place to report a lose dog ,if they know the dog is a value dog a dog that cost money ,they come with the excuse to keep the animal and never report the dog,,people dog are family sorry if not your to keep,the police report do you realy think they will help you find the dog f. No ,do you think this agency help you f no ether so if you whan to come to my court day on the 18 nov just a two week from now I will invite you to come and see what a jack *** dit to me and my dog that was stolen from my home,and I never I say never gave up on my dog after 5 month looking for it ,guess where my dog was on craightlist for rehoming 100 bull s...,the dog is a 600+ dollar dog but for me is not the dog value is my companion my friend my family sorry people am a soldier and a patriot and I will get my dog back and I will help anybody find they dog back to. People never I say never lose hope for you lose pet ,call me if you have any q 7192091811 call m

God offers us life, as a free gift of His grace - grace is love. We need to accept it, and all that goes with it. If we do, we receive eternal life. If not, when we die, we die, body and soul both. Sounds easy, but, it isn't as easy as it sounds. We can reject God's offer consciously, but, also by our actions, but not following the rules set down for us; not treating others as ourselves, etc. So, while you cannot earn your way into Heaving by being good, you can be denied by being bad. As for the "correct" church - that is impossible to say. If there was one correct denomination, we'd all be in it. As a VERY general rule, groups that are more correct seem to have more success. Thus, Christianity is the largest religion in the world right now, which is not proof that God likes Christians better by any means, but, it may show that Christians get more right than wrong. Within Christianity, a denomination that begins, then fades, or isn't growing may be an indication of something not working. There are reasons why the mainline denominations are that way. But, none is 100% correct, and none is 100% incorrect. Each denomination strives to do the right thing, as they see it. The differences are mostly opinions on what should be done. An example: The Orthodox, Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans (and possibly some others) look to the Bible first. If an answer is not in the Bible, they will look at the early church, and see how things were done then. This goes by various names, but Sacred Tradition is one, and gives you the idea. Others, mostly Protestants, reject anything not in the Bible. The early Church councils etc., are just not part of their thinking. Who is right? Depends who you talk to! Some churches are sacramental, believing that something "real," namely the actions of the Holy Spirit are present at things like Baptism, and the Eucharist. Other churches take these things as important but, as symbols, not as actual things in an of themselves. How is correct? It depends! I have seen individuals who were moved by God, founded churches, when then grew. I have then seen where they became influenced by the "other side," and they moved into being a false church. This can happen with some denominations too, although the bigger the group, the harder it is to change. For you, I might suggest just attending a service or two (or more) at different churches, and see where you fit the best. The most welcoming community, with teachings that resonate with what is in your soul. I personally would stick to the mainline denominations, as that is my background, although there are also good arguments for smaller, more independent churches too. So, try them, and see for yourself!

Well, legally the dog belongs to you. Possession is nine tenths of the law. They have no proof. I would take a wait and see approach.

If they call the police, have a file of all your documents ready for them including the craigslist ad. They will say it is a civil matter.

The dog had no tags, no chip, was loose, and does not recognize them.

If they take you to court, they can only ask for the value of the animal or the animal. don't pay them anything without a judgement order. don't let them back in your house, and don't speak to them.

Let them make the next move and be prepared to answer it. Court is no big deal, since they probably will file in small claims if they file. You represent yourself with your evidence and let the judge decide.

Keep vet records, and if they take you to court ask them to provide all veterinarian records for the animal. Chances are if they didn't have tags or a chip, the dog hasn't been to the vet.

It is up to them to prove the dog is theirs.

The judge will tell you to 1) keep the dog 2) give it back 3) pay them fair compensation

Ride it out

If they have no proof then they cannot claim her.

It would have been better if you did not send photos and asked them to describe her instead.

If the dog is unresponsive to their apparent owners and instead goes to investigate, it obviously shows that the dog has no idea who they are and was just curious.

I personally think you should keep the dog. If they have no pictures or proof that they owned the dog, didn't put up lost signs, somehow didn't see the other guy's fliers then it's either not theirs or they didn't care enough to find her.

They can't do anything without proof if you want to keep her.

I dunno, it's a hard decision. On one side they lost their dog, that is extremely irresponsible - and who says they won't do it again? On the otherhand - dogs do get out and imagine being the owner, freaking out - and you've lost one of your best friends.

It's your call. But you should see if you can drive by their place and see what kind of living situation they are in. Do they look/sound responsible? Was it an honest mistake? Also - they've had time to get emotionally attached to this dog, and you have not.

It really depends on what kind of person this is and why they let their dog escape in the first place.

++If you do let them have it, you should demand reimbursement for the micro chip and shots. That should be done by any pet owner from the start.

Do they have pictures of them with the dog? Do they have receipts from their vet? Did they even give you their vet's name and number?

If they are the true owners, your problem is that the finder did not notify animal control. Did the losers notify animal control? Why did they not try to find the dog? Let him take you to small claims court. Here's the state of law in the US at the link:

Edit: You tell them that you are going to call the police if they keep bothering you. You're not going to give up your dog to someone with zero proof of ownership.

You are under NO obligation to return this dog to them. If the dog does not respond to a name or have the scars they say she should have, it is not their dog. Ask them for paper work from a kennel club registration and vet. And ask if they are willing to reimburse you for the chipping and shots and all of the food and dog items you bought for her.

To be safe call a lawyer and just tell them No you are not giving the dog to them.

How did they get in contact with you. and could this be a money making scam that the guy posting on craigslist is pulling.

She is yours now. Do not let them have the dog.

I had the same thing over a African Grey Parrot I found. There were many people trying to claim him. But the parrot had a toe missing & it was banded. No body said anything about the missing toe, nor could they tell me the number on his band. Nor could they tell me what the bird said. Never found the real owner so the bird became mine.

Keep your dog.