... to be dumbfounded by this news story - selling dog on eBay

[ScreamingValenta]

I read this story with disbelief:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47401439

A town in Germany seized a dog over unpaid taxes, and sold it on eBay.

I didn't even think living creatures could be sold on eBay.

I'd think this was fake news but it's on the BBC website.

What an awful thing to do to a dog - to take it from its owners with whom it's bonded.

Do any German Mumsnetters know if this story is accurate?

yep it's accurate - it's not far from where I live.
Basically the family were in arrears with their dog licence (and maybe other things?) and the bailifs were called in. Despite what the article says all reports I've read say that they originally tried to take the man's wheelchair as the most expensive thing they own, but settled on the dog.

It came to light when the policewoman who bought the dog which was supposed to be completely healthy with a proven pedigree was landed with a load of vet's bills and complained.

Apparently the dog was sold on the eBay small ads section using one of the council employees' accounts.

Thanks for confirming it, Brefugee. Trying to take someone's wheelchair is almost worse than taking their dog .

I hope the policewoman sues the pants off them for the vet bills!

Taking the dog and doing that is one thing, trying to take the wheelchair..... OMFG