Previous owners want the dog back!

[flyinghigh1]

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?

Hunt down the ad on preloved in your internet history, print it out. Keep any correspondence you have with her regarding you buying Bella. Get your chip details, vet registration info. In the eyes of the law she will 100% be yours. You can contact DogLaw for advice.

I'd then log with the police that she is harassing you and you are concerned that she knows where you live. They won't get involved with the dog but will assist with harassment.

Don't leave Bella outside unsupervised just in case the dreadful woman turns up, it's likely she will recognise her so be friendly towards her and may make it easy for the woman to get her to leave with her.

Text her back advising she has been reported to the police for harassment and not to contact you again. If she continues, keep the police updated.

I'd send Bella to your dad's for a few days tbh. Just in case Batty McCrackula comes and tries to break in for her. Absolutely complain to the police about the harassment and send a solicitors letter if you can afford it.

I'd call the non emergency police number. Report what they are saying, just in case they actual try to take her back!
What horrible people

I agree that you should report her to the police, for harrassment and also threats to steal your dog!

This kind of thing happened to my friend with his cat. This woman took this perfectly healthy cat to the vet to have her put down because she couldn't be arsed anymore. The vet posted on fb for help to adopt her as they didn't want to put her to sleep. My friend adopted the cat. Two months later the woman is on his tail wanting the cat back because her daughter 'misses her'. My friend said hell no! And that was the end of that luckily.

I hope it goes similarly well for you. Tell her you're reporting her for harrassment.

Oh wow, what an awful woman. If you're changing your sim make sure you back up or screenshot all of the messages.

Another vote for report to 101.

Vile woman. I'm sorry her black lab was PTS but if she cared about Bella at all she wouldn't even try this. She should know that you can't just uproot a dog willy nilly. Bella is settled with you and you are her home. Poor pooch.

Hope all goes okay with the police OP. What a stressful situation for you. I can’t believe the way some people think, she is your dog who you fairly paid for. They will just have to get a new dog for their daughter if they want one 🤷‍♀️

This is awful on so many levels, how could she sell her dog in the first place and how could she move in with a bf if her dog couldn't come?

I sometimes have nightmares that one of my dogs is stolen and then sold to someone and I have to try to get them back.

A close family member of mine has had three Bullmastiffs, they’re amazing, loving dogs. They’re very big and I know a lot of people can be frightened of them but they’re honestly, such loving, friendly dogs,

@flyinghigh1 what a bitch, get to the police station and report her so its on record xx

YANBU! I hate it when people bring their children into it to try and manipulate situations aswell. She's your dog OP

I hope the police are helpful OP. What a horrid situation for you x

Hope it went well with the police. What a horrid woman. Bet Bella doesn't want to go back!!

If you got the dog via preloved just go onto your account and pull the messages up and it will link the advert.

Blimey OP - what a nightmare.
I really hope the police are useful and helpful.
What a vile woman she is.

OP, did you get to the police station and if so what did they say?

Has Bella been spade? I wonder if the original owner wants her back to breed from her if not?

My goodness she sounds vile and awful and doesent care one jot about the dog, they shou,d have thought about before selling her. She sounds like she has a wonderful home with you.

Any update op?

Tell her that Bella has developed an expensive to treat illness and that you want a contribution (£1000s) from her as it was not disclosed at time you got her. .... she may lose interest... 🤔

So hoping today has been better for you and Bella ❤️🐕

I'm hoping you haven't heard anything else from them and that you don't now. You can't just sell a dog and then ask for it back, it is unfair on the poor dog.

Been thinking about you today lass.

Hope it's going well.

A similar thing happened with a friend - the previous (shitty) owners did manage to actually steal the dog back so please be careful!

How are you and bella doing OP?