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?

@FridayNightAtTheBronze

As previously mentioned by other posters.....if the dog's identification chip hasn't been updated with your details then they are still the legal owners.

This is really important.....what is the situation regarding the chip?

This is not true. Microchips are not ownership documents.

Everything you have said about these people shows they are neither animal lovers or responsible pet owners, you are obviously able to offer this dog so much more than they can. The dog is now part of your family, block her, push her to the back of your mind and enjoy your lovely new addition.

Keep the dog away from these fickle idiots. They’ll be pulling at your heartstrings and making a big drama as this type of person usually does but just ignore them.

Microchip is not proof of ownership. If you have texts showing you were intending to buy the dog (or ideally a receipt or evidence via PayPal etc) then that is enough.

Don't give him back. They sound unreliable and not the owners he needs right now - he'll be happy with you. Don't feel guilty, enjoy your lovely new pet and know that you haven't done anything wrong.

Sounds more like they think they can get extra ££ for the puppy and possibly trying to resell the puppy on.

i'm glad I rtft now. I was about to say to be honest people change their mind and I have to say I took umbrage with people saying she was fickle etc but that was just me projecting myself and the guilt I'd personally have felt for getting rid of the dog. After rtft I agree there's some awful people out there, they didn't need to sell as opposed to going to a rescue and she could be trying to sell the dog to someone better. Also it's not like it's a dog she's had for years. Hope the dog is happy with you OP

This happened to my auntie. She bought a dog from someone who could no longer look after it but two days later, the couple turned up at her door late at night. The woman was in floods of tears and demanded to have the dog back.

I really don't understand some people. If you can't provide for a pet and you make the decision to give it a better home, taking it back is the height of selfish.

As soon as the sale has been agreed hes yours! Presumably you got a receipt for him .Then its tough you know whats for this flaky idiot!

amusedbush
Did she say no?

We had to rehome a much loved pet a while back, I miss her so much but she has new owners and it'd be unfair to ask for her back. YANBU.

Sounds like your home is an ideal happy home OP.

Keep the dog lady 🌸

The reasons she rehomed him haven’t changed in 2 days.

@OldEvilOwl

amusedbush Did she say no?

She gave it back. She suffers from complex mental health issues and I think she did it to avoid any hassle

She is feeling remorse and loss. The reasons she sold the dog have not changed, and her feelings of loss will diminish. She needs to realise this, and steel herself.You could explain this to her, plus the fact she has done the right thing - she wasn’t coping. Pups need a great deal of time patience and training. Pup will get that in his new home.
Reassure her she did the right thing, pup is settling in and very happy, has a doggy companion etc, and is now a loved part of your family.

This may help the situation.
Unless she does just want more money, or is not terribly sensible.

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

Don't!

At best she bought him on a whim, and sold him on a whim.

At worst someone else has contacted her and offered her the full £500.

You have evidence that you have paid for him and he is yours - just tell her, sorry, but no.

9 months old and not even housetrained! Hell's bells!

Id block all forms of communication with them, your dog end of. She couldn't cope and gave up on the dog, now changed her mind. What's to say she won't want to give up again next week.

She's an idiotic covid dog buying irresponsible twat who should not have bought a dog in the first place. I consider what you did rescuing the dog as he wasn't being properly cared for by her. Block her number, change the chip and enjoy him.

He sounds better off with you and I really think if you give him back she'll sell him again either quickly for more £,or later ir she gets fed up again.
If he's in his forever home with you, put him first and keep him. All dogs deserve love and appreciation and she seems flaky

Poor dog. I wouldn't want someone with such a cavalier attitude to pet ownership to have him. Shoving him from pillar to post on a whim is just wrong. You hang on to him OP.

No don’t give the dog back. Their decision to sell the dog and then ask for him back really isn’t the sign of a dedicated pet owner.

I really think the breeding and selling of dogs should be better monitored or regulated to stop animals being passed around like furniture.

Sounds like he’s happy with you and glad you will be able to give him the attention he needs.

@FridayNightAtTheBronze

As previously mentioned by other posters.....if the dog's identification chip hasn't been updated with your details then they are still the legal owners.

This is really important.....what is the situation regarding the chip?

That’s a grey area.

She should be fine with all the texts though but it’ll be classed as a civil matter not a police one

9 months and not housetrained? She can jog on.

Chip registration doesn't mean you own a dog, but of course if the chip is still registered somewhere else that can cause massive problems. Keep him close till you've sorted that out.

I would be careful she doesn't contact the chip people and claim the dog stolen. Crack on and get him registered in your name ASAP and get a disc. In fact get two or three with your details on as if he strays you get him back quicker with a phone number.