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Ex-dog owner took back dog she abandoned . . . . 9 months later! Please advise.

We were given a dog "Marley" by a neighbor. He was her sons who was in jail. Marley was taken to a shelter after neighbors called police about an abandoned dog in a condemed home w/ owner in jail. She wanted to prevent her son further charges but would not keep the dog. We wanted Marley but police would only release him to the mother. She immediatly handed the dog to us in the paking lot of the shelter. She agreed to transfer ownership so that I could get a dog licens in my name but never availiable to do so. Her son was released from jail 9 months later and moved in across the street from us. He took the dog off of our property and removed his collar/name tags. Police did nothing because neither of us could prove ownership. The mom will not get involved. We're filing a civil suit against them but only monatery damages are allowed.
Any legal advise it will be greatly appreciated. We love and miss our Marley dearly.We dont want money! We want our Marly home!
Heartbroken family in PA


Asked by Member 872682 on Aug 31st 2009 Tagged abandoment, laws, legal, license in Animal Welfare
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Kolbe

Do you have vet paperwork with your name on it? That would help your case a bit I think.


Kolbe answered on 8/31/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

You never got the dog licensed? If you did, all you need is proof of that.
Did the dog get any shots? Get the paper work from that.


Member 768404 answered on 8/31/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Wags

I say tit for tat, take the dog back when he is not home and put it somewhere else besides your house or yard


Wags answered on 8/31/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

Is the dog purebred with registration?...If he is registered in this guys name you very well eb out of luck unless you have something to prove Marley was given to you...I wouldn't do anything without the advise of an attorney...Do not try to muddle through this yourself!
Good luck!


Member 73926 answered on 8/31/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Dieta

I am sorry this happened as you must of given him a way better home then he had being abandoned and such.
It would depend on your state, the evidence you give and the Judge.
But, I would say the one thing that would help is if the vet took pictures of him when you were his owner, then the paperwork, expenses at the vet, also if the vet placed a Microchip into the dog. The microchip would have an ID number through avid, per say with a number assigned to your information.
good luck. If the dog runs off back to you get him microchipped right away and stand up for the dog.


Dieta answered on 8/31/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Max (aka Sebastian)

Sue him for as much money as possible, (make sure you have documentation) vet bills, food, meds, flea tick treatments, collars, bowls, grooming etc. Also if you can get a police report where they picked up the dog, and maybe see if any of the neighbors will write offical letters on your behalf as to how the dog was abandonded by previous owner and how you took in the dog and had the dog for the last 9 months.
Maybe if you sue for enough money, he will be willing to let the dog go instead of pay a lot of money.
If in PA pets are seen as property by law, see what the abandonment laws are in PA, since you had the dog so long, maybe it would qualified as abandoned and should rightfully be yours.
Good luck, sounds like Marley would be better off with you. Also talk to the humane society maybe they know a dog loving lawyer to offer you advice.


Max (aka Sebastian) answered on 9/1/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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