Bought a dog - person wants it back..aibu?

[mrsdaz]

I bought a dog 2 days ago from a lovely lady who was finding it hard to manage him due to working full time etc.

Agreed sale on Tuesday, collected him Thursday evening. All well. She has been in touch since by text to see how he is.

Yesterday got a text saying she's missing the dog and would have him back in a heartbeat.

Today I've had a text message from her daughter asking for the dog back. Plus subsequent phone call that I didn't answer.

Aibu to keep the dog? He's so happy and isn't pining for previous home etc. He will be with someone all the time rather than alone all day and has a companion dog here.

Who would give the dog back?

Did they give permission to get his chip changed?

I wouldn't. He is your dog now.

YANBU Keep the dog. I can't believe they didn't think this through properly before selling him. If their fickle enough to sell the dog then want him back 2 days later they're not responsible dog owners anyway.

Keep the dog away from these fickle, unreliable idiots. Change the details on his Pet ID/microchip ASAP. And make damn sure they don’t try to steal him back. Give him a good life. Don’t be another human who lets him down again.

Is he actually chipped?

Do they know where you live? I bloody hope not.

No I wouldn’t give him back if she is working full time and was initially happy to sell him on to a stranger rather than use an appropriate rescue (nothing against you you sound lovely).
Who knows if she’ll change her mind again and sell him to some equally irresponsible

No chance. The dog doesn’t deserve that and he’s yours now. Keep them away from him.

You handed over money? Then no, he’s yours now.

I wonder if this is a scam. Did you pay cash for the dog? If they report him as stolen to the police can you prove that you bought him? I would take screenshots of all your communications with them straight away.

Did you pay for him?

Is he chipped?

I wouldn't give it back. They might sell it on again in a couple of months and you would never know.

Have you got proof that the dog is now yours? Have you got paperwork to back the sale up?
Is the dog chipped if so has the info been changed to your details?

Nope. I wouldn't. Can you prove ownership though?

You should keep the dog. I really hope they gave you the signed documents to change his chip registration or you have some means of proof of purchase or this could be a bit of a headache for you.

I would message to say you're sorry they are missing the dog but he's very happy with you and then block. They are not responsible people, you neither get or sell a dog on a whim.

No I wouldn’t. Dogs aren’t toys that you just swap around!

They've probably been offered a better price for him. Idiots.

I don’t know, maybe I’m too soft but I’d at least consider whether she has realised she has made an awful mistake. I don’t agree with her giving the dog up, and I’m surrounded by several rescue pets so have little pity for feckless owners, but perhaps she is genuine.

No it's your dog now. They are not responsible dog owners.

Keep the dog.

If you've only had him two days i would give him back.

Oh god I hate people like this . My friend bought a small dog and took it home. Days later the owner was texting mithering saying the daughter wanted it back . My friend thankfully said no. That was 4 years ago and the seller still messages every so often now. Do not give the dog back it’s yours.

It depends!

If you want him, keep him. If they live near you, they might try to lure him back though.

Nope I wouldn't give him back.

She bought a dog while working full time, and now realises it's hard work to deal with a dog while working full time? She doesn't think things through, block the number and she'll end up distracted by something else and give up. He'll just end up sold again later, she probably got told by someone she could have got more money for him.

Thanks everyone for the speedy replies!!

I have text communication as proof I bought him. I have his chip documents too.

She doesn't have my address and lives in another town - I drove 1.5 hours round trip to collect him.

He's 9 months old and not house trained but since being here he's had no accidents because he's always got company and is following other dog outside etc.

I paid a reasonable amount (£300) which I did knock down as she wanted £500. He was expensive initially due to covid prices so I know she's lost a lot of money.

She states she didn't think it through properly but had 2 days between sale and collection to change her mind.

I just fell for his loveliness and wanted him. The children love him already.

Ahhh I still feel guilty though and sad for her!!