Can the original owner take her dog back that I adopted?

Question

So, my friend's ex roommate moved out of state leaving her belongings, including her dog. She claimed she'd send money to have her shipped out and never did. So, my friend informed her she couldn't keep her and gave her to her uncle (my friend's uncle). Her uncle later got a notice from his landlord that he was not allowed 3 dogs on the property. He sent the girl a message stating for her to either send for her or he'd have to rehome her. She replied for him to take her to the pound. She didn't say this once, but twice. He posted an ad on our local pet ad page on Facebook. I saw it and responded because I knew the dog (met her and the original owner a couple times). He then informed the girl he found a home with someone she knew and she thanked him for finding her a good home. About a week later, she sends me a message wanting to "buy her" from me because she was moving back to the state. I said no because we were attached to her and she had abandoned her. Then, tonight, her friend messages me threatening to call the authorities and so forth. I have the entire conversation my friend's uncle and the original owner had saved. He forwarded it to me along with the date and time of the conversation. She released ownership of the dog. I'm very attached and have a note for her to be my emotional support animal. We lost (as in she passed away, we didn't actually "lose" her) our pit bull a couple months ago and we can't lose another beloved pet.

? · Answer

Abandonment laws would depend on where you are. Unfortunately, in order to avoid situations like this, it should have been done IN WRITING so this could never happen. For me, it has always to be about what's best for the dog, just like kids except kids can say where they prefer to live in separation situations. I'd not let this dog go back to somebody who can remotely just leave it. If there was a spoken agreement about this dog, that's a verbal agreement but that's next to impossible to prove. Do you/anybody? have anything written between her and ? about this because this would stand up in any Court.

It sounds as if she'd be very unlikely to take this to Court so I'd call her bluff, and hope she NEVER has another dog too.

? · Answer

How much time passed after she abandoned the dog? usually there is a statute that original ownership is given up after 90 days. 
Honestly you don't have to give the dog up. If they keep harassing you then involve the police. If they sue, let them because they have the burden of proof and they won't have a leg to stand on.

Anonymous · Answer

My advise is get this to court asap.
You need to collect all the evidence you have, because theres a good chance they will win their dog back.
See a solicitor.
Contact the person you actually got the dog from, get a sworn affidavit from them, plus any emails or texts they have.
You need all the bills and receipt for vet bills and dog food you can get.

In court it will be your word against theirs. You can ask them to show that they made payments for food and vet bills to anyone. Ask them to provide any written formal statements, or instructions to any vet that person A is care taking the dog but they will pay the bill.
They wont be able to, and that will help your case a lot. Good luck.

Ali · Answer

She was negelecting the dog so I think you do have the right to keep her if you give the dog better living conditions. Also depends if the dog is registered under her name, if its not, then register the dog under your name for it to be legally yours.

lakelady · Answer

If you have the conversation you should be OK.. Otherwise the dog is her property and you could be charged.

Nyanko · Answer

You should keep the dog. She abandoned it and you are attatched.

Anonymous · Answer

if you have all the conversation, then she can't really do a thing.

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Can the original owner take her dog back that I adopted?

7 Answers