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The doghouse

OK dog-lovers WWYD?

9 replies

Bossybritches22 · 09/10/2012 00:10

Apologies for epic post need to rant & don't want to drip feed.

Found a little terrier mixed with something bitch wondering today, very neglected looking matted filthy coat, full of fleas. No collar. Thought she might have been sleeping rough/run away/been dumped.

Doggy chum came round, we rang the dog warden & agreed I could keep her 2 days, to attempt to locate her owner locally & if not he'd take her.

Took a photo & circulated it on the jungle drums (very efficient doggy network) & posted it on several lost dog sites.

Gave her a bath & took her to vets to check for chip. yes fleas & worms & very underweight for her age.

Went off shopping leaving her with DD's to field any calls & I'd be back within the hour.

Got a call from a lass who sounded quite young worked locally, could she get her dog. When I asked her politely if she lived in the village she said no but could pick it up. So I said we were on the way to the vets I'd ring her later.

She rang again before I could get home& when I asked her a bit about the dog to clarify it WAS hers as I had my suspicions.



Phone was snatched from her & agressive voice demanded to know why the Fuck I had gone to the vet, got warden involved and that I was to come back NOW with HER dog & she'd be at my house in 10 minutes. I recognised her as a local lass works for a known shady dealer (shall we say) and they are allegedly not good to their animals.

I was concerned as my daughters were on their own at home & I didn't want them worrying if she came banging on the door.Got my ex to go round & wait with them.

I got there to be harrassed by her on my doorstep, foul ranting homophobic language & long story short I refused to speak to her & said the dog was at the dog wardens just to get her off my back & out of my garden. She stayed on my doorstep hammering on the door & shouting abuse at me. I wrote the dog wardens number down & told her to leave as I was ringing the police, which I did so I have it logged. She'd gone by the time I got my story out so I got the 24 hr dog wardens number & rang him.

Stupid mistake...I know should have just given her the dog BUT

*2 different people had said it was theirs.
*the dog was neglected & I was reluctant to send her back if it WAS hers which I genuinely wasn't sure it was.

*the dog had no chip or collar & was wandering not that far from where she said she kept him but all the other dogs they have at that location always find their way back quite happily she was clearly lost & frightened.

*after her bath she was trembling for ages but sat quite happily on my lap and rested her head on my arm. Not phased by my dog or my 2 cats so clearly a family dog, which they aren't with this shower.

Can' tell you the outcome as it would really out me but I doubt the "lady" involved would be an MN-er.

Oh & I have had frequent calls to my mobile threatening to report me to everyone but she stops short of saying anything too threatening just very menacingly polite IYSWIM - I have kept them & they are logged.

Phew.....thanks for reading this far.

OP posts:
kitsmummy · 09/10/2012 08:11

God what a dilemma! Could the dog "run away" from your house perhaps? (do you know anyone who could either have the dog (who doesn't live near these people), or could someone else at least have the dog for a few weeks until they are off your back and then you get her back (unless these people are likely to see you with the dog at a later date)?

D0oinMeCleanin · 09/10/2012 08:19

Wait for the dog warden to get back to you and ask her advise. To collect their dog from the warden they'd have to pay a fee, hopefully they won't be too keen on doing this, however this means that the dog might have to go to the pound, where it could be at risk of being pts.

You could try and secure rescue space in a different area, but you'd have to wait the 7 days before moving the dog from the pound. It will all depend on whether your dog warden is very good or not.

Legally you have to give them their dog back. It is classed as theft if you don't.

Bossybritches22 · 09/10/2012 10:05

Thanks for the feedback.

Kitsmummy I'd love to have kept her but we live in a small town & the alleged owner would know & I don't need the hassle.

D0oin The warden said that about the legal bit too.

Just a query really for future reference.

What if I wasn't sure it WAS their dog? I mean anyone can claim a dog is their's & nab it to resell, no collar or tags.

If one was suspicious of the motives & actions (based on prior knowledge of the claimant too) would there be justification in not handing over the dog?

One of those grey areas really, was just interested in others thoughts- the situation has been resolved.

OP posts:
D0oinMeCleanin · 09/10/2012 10:24

In this instance I would contact the RSPCA and tell them what state the dog is in, although I wouldn't hold my breath on them acting on your information, unless you happen to have a TV crew in your area?

The law is a bit fuzzy when there is a dispute over dog ownership. It is upto the person trying to get the dog back to prove that it is their dog, however in this case it was different. You had already contacted the DW and admitted the dog was not yours and taken steps to find the owner, so legally you have no choice but to hand the dog back or lose it again.

If anything like this happened again I would hand the dog over to the DW and let the owners collect it from there. You have to pay a fine to get your dog out of the pound, most owners would happily hand over any sum of money to get their beloved pet back, ones who cannot afford to or don't want to, really should not have a dog to begin with.

boomting · 09/10/2012 11:11

Ask for proof of ownership in the form of photos of the "owner" with the dog? Normal dog owners have at least one photo of themselves with the dog...

AnAngelWithin · 09/10/2012 11:24

I would ask to see photos. Also ask them what the dogs name is and see if the dog responds to it when he is 'busy' . Can the RSPCA give you any advice?

Bossybritches22 · 09/10/2012 11:38

Thanks that's what I thought.

OP posts:
Bubblemoon · 09/10/2012 13:00

bossybritches what a a flipping star you are for going out of your way to help this little dog.

Bossybritches22 · 09/10/2012 15:08

Blush thanks bubble would have loved to keep her if unclaimed, but it was too complicated. We have a good doggy community in our town & a great informal network for reporting losses/finds so we all do our bit.

Just had the local beat bobby on the phone who is obviously a dog lover & she said I'd done the right thing so hopefully it will end there.

Thanks for the advice folks! Grin

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