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AIBU?

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Original poster

Previous owners want the dog back!

145 replies

flyinghigh1 · 10/04/2019 22:30

6 months ago I bought a lovely bullmastiff called Bella. The reason for her previous owners finding her a new home was that she was moving in with a boyfriend who had a elderly black Labrador who didn't get on with Bella. I met up with the dog who I already had and bella, made a couple of visits to see her and finally she came home with me. Since bringing her home she has brought nothing but delight to me and is spoilt and loved very much!
This morning I had numerous texts and phone calls off her previous owners saying how her boyfriends Labrador had been put to sleep last week and her child was crying she wants Bella back. The previous owner had told her daughter that Bella was on holiday and would be back next week! She tried to guilt trip me saying how upset her daughter was, tried to offer me money and then threatened to find me and come take her off me! She has been harassing my phone all day and honestly I'm fuming! Dogs are not toys, dogs are nothing something you sell then want them back! They are living animals. Bella is part of my family and I would never ever think about rehoming her.
AIBU to be absolutely furious and refuse for them to have her back?

OP posts:
Purpleknickers · 10/04/2019 22:34

YANBU
Block her number and hug your Bella tight

MulticolourMophead · 10/04/2019 22:34

You bought Bella fairly, you don't have to give her back unless you want to.

li1972 · 10/04/2019 22:36

Yanbu. Block their number and don't engage any further...

SausageSimon · 10/04/2019 22:36

What a vile woman, I don't know how she dare. Offer her back with an extra zero or two onto the price you paid, that'll shut her up Grin

PoppyD93x · 10/04/2019 22:36

Yanbu!! Keep your gorgeous bella. I'd be fumming if i we're you.

RLOU30 · 10/04/2019 22:36

How old is Bella ? Was there any written agreement for the sale of the dog via text and did money change hands for her ?

Bookworm4 · 10/04/2019 22:37

Absolutely not, they SOLD their 'loved dog', you don't sell your dog to move in with a bf.
I'll assume her chip is in your name, she's registered at your vet etc; she is your dog, she hasn't any claim on her. Block her.

Marlena1 · 10/04/2019 22:37

This is madness!!!! It wasn't a dress you bought off them! If they loved the dog so much ehat did they sell her?! I would be raging. One day I could understand, they made a mistake but 6 months and only when their first choice was PTS. YANNNNBU!!

recrudescence · 10/04/2019 22:37

The legal position is very clear: Bella is your property and the previous owner has no claim on her. Report her to the police if she continues to harass you.

Original poster
flyinghigh1 · 10/04/2019 22:38
  • @Purpleknickers Her number is blocked but she is continuing to contact me on different numbers! She is laid in bed with me now cuddled up and catching up and corrie ❤️
  • @MulticolourMophead I would never dream of letting her go anyone she has helped me through a lot and is my best friend 💞
OP posts:
lunar1 · 10/04/2019 22:38

I'd block her. Did you get her microchip details changed?

MyKingdomForBrie · 10/04/2019 22:39

RLOU30 OP clearly says she bought her.

You definitely don't have to return her OP, like you say dogs are not toys. It's a shame for her that she has lost her dog but frankly she should have waited before moving in with her bf if Bella was that important to her.

RocketSurgery · 10/04/2019 22:39

Do the previous owners know where you live? If not, can you just block and forget about them. If they do, is there anyone you can flag up with that your dog is at risk of being snatched.

Poor you. What a horrible person to try and guilt you into giving them your dog. They’ve shown exactly who they are and they definitely don’t deserve your dog.

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 10/04/2019 22:40

Make sure she's chipped to your name. If she ever went missing you wouldn't want her returned to this woman. I'd send a text telling her not to contact me again or I will notify the police that she is harassing your family.
What sort of stupid bitch sells her dog and then tells her kid it's on holiday?

VanillaCoconutDove · 10/04/2019 22:42

Did you change her microchip details?

Original poster
flyinghigh1 · 10/04/2019 22:42

Bella is 6.5 year olds now, yes I seen her advert on preloved text her and arranged for me to meet her then we arranged for me and my other dog to meet her. When she came to me the poor girl didn't even have a bed all she came with was a horrible Tatty lead and collar! Unfortunately she knows where I live as she wanted to do a home check before I brought her home
She is microchipped to me and in my name at the vets
Who would I recall regarding the risk of Bella been took from me?
I've been so scared to take her out all day incase this crazy women sees me and takes her off me I'm sat in tears writing this as I could never imagine being without her 😔

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 10/04/2019 22:44

What proof do you have that you bought her? (Not doubting you but thinking legally.)
Is she microchipped to you?
Guessing you found her online. Do you have copies of ad etc?

RLOU30 · 10/04/2019 22:45

Going by your last post your Bellas new family legally and morally and you should ignore all communications and enjoy your dog x

Keepingthingsinteresting · 10/04/2019 22:45

Absolutely not! She is settled with you, and frankly they got rid of her one when convenient so wouldn’t put it past them to do it again...

Just block (make sure you keep screenshots of the messages) and make sure Bella is chipped and your details are up to date in case they try to snatch her.

Original poster
flyinghigh1 · 10/04/2019 22:46

This is my beautiful girl ❤️

Previous owners want the dog back!
Previous owners want the dog back!
Previous owners want the dog back!
OP posts:
keepforgettingmyusername · 10/04/2019 22:48

I doubt she will try to take her back. Sounds like a passing whim. She doesn't have Bellas needs at heart. She'll get bored and go and buy a puppy, that she'll flog on gumtree when she's bored of that too.

NameChangeJustBecauseICan · 10/04/2019 22:49

I would definitely not return her. She is part of your family. If this family are contacting you on different numbers where are they getting those numbers from? How many numbers do you have?

Do they have any idea of your surname and a rough idea of where you live? They could go to the library and lookup the most recent Electoral Register for the area and find you from that.

gamerchick · 10/04/2019 22:49

I wonder if its worth ringing your local police station just for advice... On the harrassment at least. They might be able to help.

Or a stern letter from a solicitor even?

Lockheart · 10/04/2019 22:49

If she knows where you live, is threatening to take the dog back and will not leave you alone (you need to tell her clearly not to contact you again) then you should speak to the police on the non-emergency line.

expat101 · 10/04/2019 22:50

I would pop along to the police and let them know this woman is harassing you.

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