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?

[WiddlinDiddlin]

Keep all the paperwork you have, including any proof of sale, texts etc.

If you haven't already changed the chip details BEFORE she started trying to guilt you into giving the dog back, you MAY have a problem as its likely they will contact her when you apply to change the chip details and she may well lie and say the dog is stolen.

I would ring Trevor Cooper or Nik Starmer at Dog Law (or join their Dog Law SOS scheme which costs aroun d£60 and you get telephone advice which can be realllllllllly useful) and see what they advise.

Legally, she has sold you her property, it is now your property.

In reality, she could cause you problems by telling lies!

[SatsumasOrClementines]

I would worry about whether she actually wants him back for genuine reasons or not.

Also 9months and not being house trained doesn’t really show that they’d had an amazingly successful time together. (Unless he’s a particularly stubborn/difficult to train breed?)

[Theunamedcat]

I had a family try pulling that one they were selling there dog they didn't take care of it it frequently got out haring around the streets was skittled by a car they didn't take it to the vets so it developed a peculiar run then decided they could no longer take care of it so I put them in touch with my mom who decided she was keeping him as they still had the puppy collar on him at 12 months old you couldn't get your finger nail between dog and collar she paid for him and a week or so afterwards they are saying how much they miss him how much they regret it they would have him back in a heartbeat I told them he was settled and my mom wasn't returning him she got him chipped immediately they permanently damaged that dog he was a grumpy begger to the end but he had a great life with her and a safe one

[Figgygal]

She sounds like a flake
No chance would I give him back

[DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou]

She works full time? He's a 9 month old puppy?

It's in the dogs best interest to be with you.

[JackieWeaverFever]

Do not w terrain this for a minute.
We have had our dog for 5 months and would honestly put ourselves in harms way to protect her.

These are fickle crappy owners that don't deserve this dogs love.

[JackieWeaverFever]

*entertain

[bluebellscorner]

My friend did this, she sold or possibly gave her puppy away because it was too much work, only to change her mind after a few days. The new owner gave him back but they were definitely not happy about it. I thought it was pretty awful of her to be honest

[mermaidsariel]

No it’s your dog now. You’ve paid for it. I hope she doesn’t have your address though.

[GrimDamnFanjo]

The fact that they sold a dog to someone without knowing where he was going to says it all.
Block them.

[SteveyFluff]

Imo she’s regretted selling cheap and thinks she can get £500 from someone else. Politely tell her you’re keeping the dog, block and change the chip registration ASAP.

[AlrightTreacle]

I would keep him and wouldn't feel guilty. Dog is 9 months old and she's not toilet trained him and sold him to a stranger?! Obviously another selfish idiot who didn't fully think about getting a dog during lockdown.

I couldn't imagine selling my dog to a stranger, but if I did I'd at least think it through before I did it. She's probably been offered the full £500 by someone else and wants to recoup her losses. Sod her.

[MintMatchmaker]

Unless there’s something not been disclosed then they obviously weren’t responsible owners if the dog wasn’t house trained at 9 months. I would send a message saying that he has settled well and that you wish to keep him. Then block their numbers.

[thereisonlyoneofme]

Not sure about the chip document, I changed my dogs chip without problems,didnt know who the previous owner was, came through a private rescue person who hadnt updated it from person she got her from.

[AlrightTreacle]

So if he stays with you, he has both a companion dog and human, and if he goes back to her, he will be left alone all day while she's at work? No brainer which option is better for the dog himself.

[Mamanyt]

Answer the text, don't. Your choice. But DO NOT GIVE THAT DOG BACK! The little thing's life has been upended once, he's happy, getting constant attention, and the former owner has proven that she isn't very reliable, and does not think things through.

It is perfectly possible, with a bit of planning, for someone to work and have a dog. In fact, if it were not, there would be a lot of people who never had that joy, and a lot of happy dogs that might not have loving homes. She couldn't be bothered to find reasonable solutions to accommodate her dog's needs.

[IrishCharm]

Definitely don’t give the dog back!
It sounds as though she’s had a better offer but HE sounds much better off with you!
I’m glad you found him/he found you!

[Ginevere]

There’s one of two things happening here OP.

Either she’s had a better offer and wants more money for him, or she’s an irresponsible dog owner who bought a lockdown puppy, didn’t train him, decided he was too much effort, sold him to someone who she doesn’t even know and didn’t bother to do a home check, only to change her mind on the same whim that saw her get rid of him in the first place.

Either way, you have nothing to feel guilty about. And bear in mind, just because she’s now changed her mind doesn’t mean she won’t change it back and try and sell him again.

[bloodyhell19]

@mrsdaz

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!!

9 months old and not house trained?! I don't feel one bit sorry for her, she obviously put no effort into the dog at all & the dog deserves better. Block all contact & get his chip details changed asap. Absolutely would not be giving the dog back.

[Didiusfalco]

Don't give the dog back. In any of the possible scenarios she is an irresponsible idiot.

[WeAllHaveWings]

Shes had a better offer. Tell them sorry the sale is complete and you feel you can give the dog a good home so will be keeping him. Any further contact block them.

enjoy your new pup.

[IbrahimaRedTwo]

if the dog's identification chip hasn't been updated with your details then they are still the legal owners
Not true. Dogs are legally property and OP can prove she bought and paid for it. Dog is legally hers, end of story.

[TwoLeftSocksWithHoles]

She's probably blown the £300 on a haircut and is now trying to offset some of that cost by taking the dog back to sell for more money.

[Winter2020]

Don’t feel sorry for her OP. If she was that bothered about the dog then she wouldn’t have sold it. Don’t give it any further thought.

[Tistheseason17]

I'd block them.
Doh is happy, deal was done. Move on.