Dog Ownership

[RockKitteh]

Yesterday we rehomed a 9 month old mixed breed dog belonging to the sister of a friend. The co-owners of the dog were in a relationship but have split up, and both are over 18 but live with their parents. They had been sharing the dog between them (overnight etc) but neither's parents were prepared to have the dog live with them full time. Person A paid for the dog, person B had the dog living with them most of the time, and the dog was registered at person B's address for vets and microchipping. They both bought him round to my home yesterday after I agreed to home him for them. They hadn't wanted to give him to a shelter in case no one adopted him and he ended up being put down, and they didn't let me give him any money for him, they just wanted the promise we would love and care for him, which of course we will. When they were at my house dropping off the dog they bought his bed and a couple of toys but no food etc. they also handed over his vets healthcare card with his injection history, and also advised we will need to get his microchip data changed over to our names and address. I asked them before they left whether they were 100% sure they wanted us to have him and that this would be a permanent arrangement and they both said yes. The first thing we did was take him out and spent £50 buying all the things he didn't come with - food, bowls, collar, lead and a few more toys plus training treats. Fast forward to this evening - person B's dad has sent me a message via Facebook saying his daughter has been upset and they want their dog back. Person A has continued to assert that rehoming the dog with us was the best thing for all concerned and is more than happy for us to keep him.
Now I'm not sure where we stand. We have only had him with us for 36 hours, but he has settled in wonderfully and we have both bonded with each other. This was never meant to be a temporary arrangement and we took him in with the understanding that he was unwanted and needed a new home.
I feel upset at the thought of giving him back to a family that threatened to abandon him at the roadside just a couple of days ago. What should we do?

[bednobs]

just say no

[THEMOTLEY1]

Stand your ground, don't give in

[RockKitteh]

Yes, but legally can they make us give him back? I have written confirmation from person A that we would own the dog on a permanent basis. And Person A's mum was the one who accompanied A & B to our house yesterday and she will attest to the fact that they gave up the dog to us willingly and permanently

[tamborine]

Charge them for replacement ie £200+ and all other exes.

[tamborine]

They can try their luck in Court. Or steal dog back as they know where it is. Send them a bill pdq

[pusskin]

Keep the dog. Seems he will be better off with you .

[Psybbo]

The dog needs the stability of your home.

[Peter Pedant]

the most important thing is to take the docs
and get the dog rechipped
showing the re chipper it is all above board ....

then wait

this occurs commonly in privae transacttions apparently

[Peter Pedant]

we had this twice and just stood our ground
and give dog-dog a big cuddle he will know what is going on

on one the reclaimer hadnt got it rechipped so there was no record
of his ownership and we woodenly said "it is ours now" having had the girlie rechipped pronto

[CrapAtCryptics]

give him back once they have reimbursed you with your out of pocket expenses on the understanding you will take him back if it doesnt work out but that would be for good - ask for a written reply.

[Peter Pedant]

you have had a good few responses
you want the dog and not the money dont you ?

[RockKitteh]

I haven't sent the girl's dad a message back as yet, so I haven't told them they can't have him back, but I haven't said yes either. From what I understand of the situation it was actually him who told his daughter she absolutely had to get rid of the dog as he wanted it gone. I just worry about giving him back to people who would treat a dog this way.
Regarding his microchip - we have registered him over the phone at our own vets and booked him in for new dog check on Friday (soonest they could get him in) to make sure he is in good health. They said we would give us a form to send off to the microchip company to get him registered to us. Presumably the company will contact person B and make sure they are happy for us to now own the dog - what if they say no?

[RockKitteh]

Peter Pedant - yes we want the dog. It's not about money, We already think the world of him.
The people who owned him said they didn't want any money for him. As person A was the one who paid for him I offered her some money and she said it wasn't necessary. I don't feel I owe person B any money as she didn't pay for him initially, and A & B were jointly responsible for his day to day costs anyway.

[Sycamore3House]

I would not use facebook to respond to the father or Person A or B. As you have something in writing stating that they have handed over the dog respond to them in writing only if you need to.

[RockKitteh]

Update:
So, after speaking to person B and her dad on the phone last night, person B changed her story completely and said it was not her dad but person A and her family who forced her to give the dog up. Then she changed her story again and said she didn't know she was giving him up (even though she bought all his belongings and told me how to get him re-registered to us).
My partner was speaking to her as i was too upset, and after about 20 minutes of going round in circles, spoke to her father who threatened to break into our house and take the dog back, then threatened to kill my partner...call was terminated by us and the police were duly called. Police were shockingly unhelpful. They said they would note that threats of death and violence had been made but said ownership of the dog was a civil matter. Person B and her family could take us through the small claims court and may be given the dog back, but realistically we could face months of verbal and physical harassment from these people and was it really worth it?
It is with a heavy heart that we have decided it will probably be best to give the dog back to person B and move on with our lives. My partner and I are decent, educated people and we don't need this in our lives.

[Peter Pedant]

Good decision.

[ladybirder]

RockKitteh I have only just seen your thread and I wish I was qualified to give you legal advice but I'm not. All I can suggest is that if you haven't already given the poor dog back, that you contact an animal charity, perhaps one of the bigger ones who might have some experience of this sort of thing. My heart is screaming No don't give the dog back to the family of this horrible violent man. Can your friend not help? Can your vet give you any advice? You sound such a caring and lovely couple who would provide this boy with a long term loving stable home and I am filled with dread as to what sort of life he will have once he leaves the security you have provided for him. If I'm not too late, please take advice asap. I feel for you, I really do. Good luck. Could you lets know what happens please.