Urgent - What right do i Have?

Bruce J

As 'they' say, ownership is 90% of the law. If you have the papers on this dog, and he is in your care...then you are the legal owner. If you haven't licensed it yet, I highly suggest you do so BEFORE the previous owner goes to the cops. If you don't, your case will be weaker, and you could get a ticket from the city.

Doethineb

It isn't a matter for the police, unless they are alleging that you stole it. If you have the paperwork, then this should assist you in proving that the dog has been handed over to you willingly. It is hard to see what proof the owners can produce that there was any arrangement for you to pay for the dog or that you helped yourself to the dog and the paperwork unlawfully. It seems extremely unlikely that the matter will get to court in any shape or form.

shannonhf05

you have the paperwork
you have the dog
they dont have the paperwork
they dont have the dog
the odds are stacked in your favour

joan k

Sounds like they are trying to blackmail and intimidate you. This would be a civil matter as you didn't steal the dog. You don't say how, or why you rescued the dog, but the original owners could be guilty of neglect, or abandonment. Good luck with your new friend and I hope everything works out for both of you.

st.abbs

If I was you, i'd go to my local cop shop and explain the situation to them, I think you will find that they can be very helpful with their advice.
It wouldn't do any harm to try.

A . Z .

You should be ok by the sounds of people you are dealing with are stupid chavs who do not know how to treat animals well. The police will just laugh at them. Stand your ground and if anything say ok chav take your dog have it we don't care. Wouldn't worry about it.

tom p

Just say to them; "O.K. what time do you want to come around for the dog?"
I bet they back out!
They're just trying to get a few bucks out of you!

The owners let you have the dog,you have the paperwork for the dog.That dog belongs to you.Good Luck and good job rescuing a dog in need.Apparently the individual owners didn't give a damn about the dog anyway.

confucious says

If the incident happened exactly as you say just tell them to go away and you are keeping the dog. and invite them to call the police, if it happened exactly as you say they wont, you will have called there bluff.
if they do call the police explain what happened and the police will then inform them it as nothing at all to do with them it is a civil matter and advise the previous owners to take it to the small claim court if they require payment.
if the demands for money were to be interpreted as excessive they could be charged with demanding money with menaces.
believe the law is on your side in this matter and I would not worry to much about anything.as always truth will prevail

Superman

Sounds like they gave you the dog as payment and abandoned their rights. As far as what rights you have and what would be likely to happen, please read Amendment XIV of the U.S. Constitution, which provides in part:
"...nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law..."

*/End of Line.

GCB-TO

If the original owner has any proof that they originally owned the dog, even an eyewitness, and if you don't have any paperwork indicating a change of ownership, or at least an independent witness that can vouch for a verbal grant of ownwership, then I think you would lose.

stormydays

Its word against word

But the court would probably wonder why they didnt take the money from a stranger before handing the goods over

If you have the confidence too ...you need to be gathering some kind of evidence from people who know them...they obviously werent interested in the dog (neighbours etc)

Go see the RSPCA if your in UK as well....they may be able to help or if a local branch they may have knowledge of the dog or the previous owners

Bernie c

I'd call their bluff say to them that can have the dog back I don't think they will, I think they just want money for him, give your local dog rescue a call they'll give you the right info and then they are aware of what the people are up to, good for you helping that dog and I hope you get to keep him, good luck.

francoistuvul

These people are trying to haress you. Despite what people tell you paperwork isn`t the only thing when someone is convicted they stole an object you can get proof it`s false.

1.Consult an animal rights organization and ask them about your rights. In this case they`re abandoning the dog. This should work but if this fails do step 2.

2.Talk to them and record them, the thing is to trick them to say something against them. Ask them why they are going against their words, why they didn`t want the rescued dog in the first place and if they are saying you stole the dog why are they demanding money not the dog. If you have or don`t have evidence against them move to step 3.

3. Consult a lawyer. If the lawyer tells you that you don`t have any rights get another lawyer.

4. If they get the police get your lawyer to prove that the dog is rightfuly yours since they gave you the dog in the first place. If this goes to court show the evidence against them, get your ownership and make them pay for the court`s and lawyer expenses.

5. If this fails (always have a backup plan or two) you`ve got no choice but to pay for the dog, make sure there`s paperwork.

Mark in Time

Bring the dog to the Animal Control department as a stray and agree to take the dog if the rightful owner doesn't claim him. If the previous owner wants the dog back he will claim it and maybe pay associated fees. It not, after the X days expire you can claim the dog. The previous owners will no longer have a claim. You will be the legal owner.

Check with your local Animal Control Department to make sure this is how it works with them.

Kathy H

That is a tough situation. It does depend on if the dog is registered and licensed. I would call the dispatch for your local law enforcement agency (non-emergency number if they have one, if not call number listed) and ask them. That or call the ASPCA cruelty and investigations department (dog warden). They would be better able to answer your question. You'll have a better chance if you are proactively searching for a solution.

pen

I am only guessing but i don't think you have any rights sorry good luck and i hope I'm wrong

Italian Man Man Man

Who would you call?

GHOSTBUSTERS!!!!!!!!!!!

Boiled Egg

Set the dog on them. Or stab them in the back. That's what they've done to you. Maybe they have suddenly realised that the dog could be worth a few quid. What charming scum from the gutter they are.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: