What do you do? Owner wants him back...

TinyAlbinoDancer · 08-23-2005, 01:29 PM

I hope this makes sense, as I'm just trying to sort thoughts and get advice at the same time. Dad talked to "Bruno's" owner today (the actual owner, not his mother-in-law, who's phone # was on Bruno's tags). The guy showed up at the vet, so they put him on the phone. He claims he has little kids who left the door open and Bruno got out this past Friday. The lady who picked him up off the street said she had him for three days- if she was counting yesterday, she would've had him since Saturday, one day after he supposedly got out. I already described his condition to you- severely matted, found one tick, and VERY underweight (backbone, hip bones show, and ribs are right there). So either he escaped from his home in that condition or the owner lied about when he was lost. The owner also claims they had fliers up saying he was lost. Anyway. We're concerned about returning him to his owners due to the condition he was found in. If dad misheard and the owner meant he was lost the Friday BEFORE this past Friday (he would've been lost for a week and three days), is it possible for him to be in this poor of condition?

Any thoughts or suggestions, anyone?

I just don't know who to believe or what to do!

Kade · 08-23-2005, 01:53 PM

It sounds like you have to return him.

But if I were you, I would return him via the local ASPCA and file a report on the condition he was in when he was picked up, so they have a reason to check on him in the future.

Letting a dog roam is negligence! Those people should just let the poor guy go someplace where people will care for him.

So sorry.

Ritz459 · 08-23-2005, 02:39 PM

Hmm...could you like have him prove that he owns the dog? Like vet records and stuff? But if he had a tag on....

Novel · 08-23-2005, 02:55 PM

Kade makes an excellent point. Turn him over to the ASPCA or a humane society and let them return the dog. Then the humane society can contact the owner and let them know that he can come pick up the dog.

I'm sorry but you just can't keep him, you must make an effort to return the dog.

If the man refuses to pick up the dog, or the shelter seizes the dog, then you can legally adopt the dog.

Side note: Possession is 9/10ths of the law, but it would be dishonest to just keep the dog, and IF, his condition was caused by him being lost for the 10 days, AND these owners are truly heartsick about the dog being missing, then you will make a family very happy!

IMO, yes, a dog could look quite ratty after 10 days on the loose, and could look very thin. Most dogs just do not have the skills to find food, and many lost dogs die of starvation.

Kade · 08-23-2005, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novel

Kade makes an excellent point. Turn him over to the ASPCA or a humane society and let them return the dog. Then the humane society can contact the owner and let them know that he can come pick up the dog.

And then they'll have to pay to get him out, so there's another test of whether they really want him! Be sure to call and check on him often, so if he's adoptable you get first dibs on him. I truly hope he ends up where he belongs (with YOU!). But you've got to give the owners a chance to have him back.

TinyAlbinoDancer · 08-23-2005, 03:27 PM

They're on their way to get him. Dad had called animal control and they were going to do just what you guys suggested- take him over, assess the living conditions, and check them again in 2 weeks. But dad thinks they really love the dog or something, so he's just giving him back. I'm not happy. I'll update after I see the family. *sigh* I would never deny someone taking their dog back if they really love it, but if they really love it, why is he in this condition? Anyway... more later. Thanks guys!! Bunches!!

Edit: Well, he's gone. The lady looked like she really loved him, I just wonder if they can afford him- especially with the medical care he needs right now. *sigh* What do you do?

Ritz459 · 08-25-2005, 03:42 PM

Well, maybe you can ask the lady if you can help out with the dog sometimes? Like, puppy sit it and such, and maybe have playdates between your dog and her dog. Then you'll be able to see him, plus see if he is well taken care of!

Novel · 08-25-2005, 04:33 PM

Excellent idea Ritz!!

It's hard with any dog when you're unsure of it's living situation, but, you did the right thing by returning him. And, remember, it's always easier to be stern when you're writing, but in real life, sometimes things are different. Don't blame your dad, if it was a financial thing, he may be thinking that the money to spring him from doggie jail would be better spent on the dog.

linnie · 08-27-2005, 09:45 PM

I would try and keep contact then at least you can put your mind at ease.

What amazes me is that a dogcan be missing and not much publicity from owner,
If one of my girls were missing I would have all the tv and radio on it, full page adds and anything else I could think of

SalemWitchChild · 08-27-2005, 11:25 PM

Perhaps you could ask the shelter or aspca to check up now and again? Just expalin your concerns to animal control and I'm sure they will understand.

08-23-2005, 01:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
TinyAlbinoDancer Always room for one more Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,528 Rep Power: 161	*What do you do? Owner wants him back... update* He's gone.** I hope this makes sense, as I'm just trying to sort thoughts and get advice at the same time. Dad talked to "Bruno's" owner today (the actual owner, not his mother-in-law, who's phone # was on Bruno's tags). The guy showed up at the vet, so they put him on the phone. He claims he has little kids who left the door open and Bruno got out this past Friday. The lady who picked him up off the street said she had him for three days- if she was counting yesterday, she would've had him since Saturday, one day after he supposedly got out. I already described his condition to you- severely matted, found one tick, and VERY underweight (backbone, hip bones show, and ribs are right there). So either he escaped from his home in that condition or the owner lied about when he was lost. The owner also claims they had fliers up saying he was lost. Anyway. We're concerned about returning him to his owners due to the condition he was found in. If dad misheard and the owner meant he was lost the Friday BEFORE this past Friday (he would've been lost for a week and three days), is it possible for him to be in this poor of condition? Any thoughts or suggestions, anyone? I just don't know who to believe or what to do!
	__________________ ~Karen Missie~Trixie~Little Guy~Ollie Last edited by TinyAlbinoDancer : 08-23-2005 at 03:45 PM.

08-23-2005, 01:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kade 9 months old?! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 903 Rep Power: 85	It sounds like you have to return him. But if I were you, I would return him via the local ASPCA and file a report on the condition he was in when he was picked up, so they have a reason to check on him in the future. Letting a dog roam is negligence! Those people should just let the poor guy go someplace where people will care for him. So sorry.
	__________________ "You come home, the dog throws itself at you. 'Where have you been? You've been so long. I missed you, missed you, missed you. I love you, love you, love you. What's in the bag? Something for me? Oh, let me lick your ear. Oh, let me chew your gloves. You're home!''' -- Pam Brown All About Winston

08-23-2005, 02:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ritz459 Fuzzbutt attack Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,259 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 215	Hmm...could you like have him prove that he owns the dog? Like vet records and stuff? But if he had a tag on....
	__________________ ~Blackie, Rose, Chloe (dogs), Pheobe (cat), Casey, Dameon (ferrets), Joey ('Tiel), Dot, Louie (cavies), Pickachu (hamster), Rush (R.I.P. 15yrs), Lucy (R.I.P. 4yrs)~

08-23-2005, 03:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
TinyAlbinoDancer Always room for one more Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,528 Rep Power: 161	They're on their way to get him. Dad had called animal control and they were going to do just what you guys suggested- take him over, assess the living conditions, and check them again in 2 weeks. But dad thinks they really love the dog or something, so he's just giving him back. I'm not happy. I'll update after I see the family. sigh I would never deny someone taking their dog back if they really love it, but if they really love it, why is he in this condition? Anyway... more later. Thanks guys!! Bunches!! Edit: Well, he's gone. The lady looked like she really loved him, I just wonder if they can afford him- especially with the medical care he needs right now. sigh What do you do?
	__________________ ~Karen Missie~Trixie~Little Guy~Ollie Last edited by TinyAlbinoDancer : 08-23-2005 at 03:45 PM.

08-25-2005, 03:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ritz459 Fuzzbutt attack Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,259 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 215	Well, maybe you can ask the lady if you can help out with the dog sometimes? Like, puppy sit it and such, and maybe have playdates between your dog and her dog. Then you'll be able to see him, plus see if he is well taken care of!
	__________________ ~Blackie, Rose, Chloe (dogs), Pheobe (cat), Casey, Dameon (ferrets), Joey ('Tiel), Dot, Louie (cavies), Pickachu (hamster), Rush (R.I.P. 15yrs), Lucy (R.I.P. 4yrs)~

08-23-2005, 02:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
Novel Boxer Mom Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 4,854 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 214	Kade makes an excellent point. Turn him over to the ASPCA or a humane society and let them return the dog. Then the humane society can contact the owner and let them know that he can come pick up the dog. I'm sorry but you just can't keep him, you must make an effort to return the dog. If the man refuses to pick up the dog, or the shelter seizes the dog, then you can legally adopt the dog. Side note: Possession is 9/10ths of the law, but it would be dishonest to just keep the dog, and IF, his condition was caused by him being lost for the 10 days, AND these owners are truly heartsick about the dog being missing, then you will make a family very happy! IMO, yes, a dog could look quite ratty after 10 days on the loose, and could look very thin. Most dogs just do not have the skills to find food, and many lost dogs die of starvation.

08-25-2005, 04:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
Novel Boxer Mom Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 4,854 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 214	Excellent idea Ritz!! It's hard with any dog when you're unsure of it's living situation, but, you did the right thing by returning him. And, remember, it's always easier to be stern when you're writing, but in real life, sometimes things are different. Don't blame your dad, if it was a financial thing, he may be thinking that the money to spring him from doggie jail would be better spent on the dog.

08-27-2005, 09:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
linnie tibbie girl Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 3,051 Rep Power: 168	I would try and keep contact then at least you can put your mind at ease. What amazes me is that a dogcan be missing and not much publicity from owner, If one of my girls were missing I would have all the tv and radio on it, full page adds and anything else I could think of
	__________________ Caution...Dogs can leave footprints on your heart

08-27-2005, 11:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
SalemWitchChild Blue Merle Collie Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Lawrenceburg, Ky Posts: 592 Rep Power: 82	Perhaps you could ask the shelter or aspca to check up now and again? Just expalin your concerns to animal control and I'm sure they will understand.
	__________________

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