Rights to a dog

[jenniprice]

I wondered what rights we have over my aunties dog.

The story is she goes away alot-traveling to different countries, so at the start we kept looking after her dog. It started few years ago, but over the last year we have had her 75% of the time, and currently she has been with us for 2months solid.

We all get along with her(the dog) and give her a really good home, infact she has become part of the family. The dog is a collie cross so has alot of energy and needs alot of exercise.
However when she is with my auntie and uncle they just keep her in alot and dont really walk her.
When she has to go home the dog hates it, and when she comes back she's always so excited.

My auntie has now returned from one of her trips.
My mum has asked if we can just keep her full time and she can obviosuly visit, but my auntie said no.
In a way we're really worried about her going home as know she gets bored, and doesn't like it.

I don't think my auntie is particularly keen on the dog either, as she has never contacted to say how is she, esp over these 2 months.

We will obviosuly keep trying to ask my auntie for her, but I was just wondering if we have any rights to her since have her so much?
We don't want to fall out with my auntie, but it would be good if we could throw something at her regarding the law.
Thanks

[bednobs]

i am interested to know how you know what a dog thinks and feels! - its more likelythat its how YOU feel (ie excited when she arrives and sad when she goes)
Ok, so she seems sad when she leaves you but dogs are very adaptable, and for all you know she is also sad when she leaves your auntie!
I don't really see hw you could prevent falling out with auntie, if you start using legal language towards her despite the fact she has already said she dosent want the dog to live with you ful time.

The dog belongs to your auntie, and she has a right to ask for it back whenever she wants. If you think all the back and forward is upsetting the dog, or if you get sad when she leaves just dont have her next time

[jenniprice]

I'm not just making it up of how I feel, the dog is truely like that.
When my auntie came to visit the dog didn't even bat an eyelid to see her, she just treats her like any other visitor.
My auntie even points it out.

Then when we once dropped her off at my auntie's the dog chased our car down the road after us.

And I wouldn't not take the dog as otherwise she would be in kennells all the time which isn't fair on her, we do actually care about the dog, and wouldn't just do that to spite my auntie.
It's like cutting your nose off to spite your face!

[bednobs]

well then it sounds like you'll have t be content with having her 75% of the time

[gen2]

At least you are getting the benefit of the dog without having to pay the vet's bills.

[sandmaster]

A dog can transmit it's feelings and perceptive humans will pick them up. A bored dog is not a happy dog. Dogs need attention, fuss and love. I sympathise with you, but I agree with the others that you have few, if any, rights in this situation. Just pray your aunt goes away again soon.

[Noweia]

I'm afraid you've answered your own question in the first sentence - the dog belongs to your aunt and is her property. Despite the fact you have her most of the time, that doesn't change the law.

[jenniprice]

Thanks for all the advice, like say will just have to be content with what I have.

Good news is my auntie is going away in 3 weeks, so again has said we might aswel keep her for now and while she's away!
Never know one day she may just say keep her, but we'll just have to see..

[tracks]

What everyone has forgotten to mention is that anyone who has an animal & spend most their time away from it should'nt have one as they are putting their own feelings before the animal,it would be kinder on the dog if your aunt gave her to you or gave up travelling altogether,best of luck!.