My friend has left her dog with me

[FireC]

I have another thread in the dog forum, however, I'm desperate for some advice.

My friend left her dog with me while she was away for a couple of weeks. She's now been away for almost 6 weeks and I haven't heard anything from her. I've sent her messages regarding a potential vet visit and nail clipping. She's read the messages and hasn't replied. I've called her but it just rings out.

We're not super close, more like neighbours than friends, however, she's looked after my cat before and I thought this would be fine. I don't know what to do? Does anyone have and advice?

French bull dogs are Brachycephalic which means a short snout. This can cause them to have breathing issues and can lead to problems in hot weather. I would suggest you have a Google to see how best to keep him cool over the next 2 days.
Vet bills can be very expensive, I would ask if he is insured. If he isn’t and he needs to vet then the PDSA might be able to treat him as he isn’t your dog.
Someone in my family has 2 french bulldogs so I know a bit about them.

Give her an ultimatum, OP. No contact and you’ll take dog to shelter (but don’t really).

What if she calls your bluff and says: “keep him”, you get used to new way of things, then she waltzes back in like nothing has happened 2 years’ later and expecting to scoop him up and take him away? Will she repay all food expenses etc?

Poor dog; she doesn’t deserve him. It’d be just my luck to fall in love with him only for her to come back.

when we moved into a little village about 15 years ago, a new neighbour looked after our dog! She was lovely!… when we got home, two weeks later, Margot was in love with our doggie and decided to foster the same breed, too!

Our little dog ADORED her! In just two weeks, he sat down by her gate, every time we walked past! I don’t think it took a long time to like each other… but we were ALL genuine! We intended to come back for our fur baby!

I'd phone her from a withheld number and say you're the RSPCA and the dog has been taken in and will be held pending investigation!

Ok maybe not that, but you definitely need to register this somehow as otherwise she'll come back and claim the dog and you'll be broken hearted and out of pocket. How long do dog rescues keep strays before they are rehomed - anyone know if there's a legal time frame?

You've made it in the papers @FireC

I would honestly get some legal advice, because if you love the dog and would prefer to keep him rather than rehome, and if he's expensive and suitable for breeding, then she sounds just like the type of person to reappear in a few months, demand you give him back then accuse you of stealing if you won't. I'd tell her what you're going to do then I'd contact someone who knows about these things officially.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/mum-fumes-friend-leaves-dog-27502719?fbclid=IwAR3yAyplkOXIlCcWBDeXBdBFzVL1TJ1ZczOVa9KSKPitiWF1uo5PJFNALA0

Full story

Contact Trevor cooper and his team at DogLaw for advice on how to proceed and importantly future proof yourself from any claims from her down the line.

How bizarre on her part

What a cow!
Fancy dumping the poor dog on you,mind you, he sounds better off with you and a lovely home.
Carry on loving him and start proceedings to document ownership and ask vet to see if chipped.
Good luck.💐

Also make sure the dog is covered for life for any long term illness.

I would send her text and say you're selling her dog and keeping the money. I'm sure she would reply after that

That could be anybody who has her phone... I would try and let her know if you don't her from her by 'x' time, you will be contacting the police as you are concerned for her welfare.

This is exactly what happened to a friend of mine. A ‘friend’ asked if she would look after a dog for a friend. She did. The ‘owner’ moved to the other side of the country and said she had got a new job and couldn’t bring the dog. She offered the dog to my friend at a substantial price (it was a purebred), she agreed and paid cash via the ‘friend’. Took it to the vet for a health check and when they scanned the chip it was reported stolen! She lost the dog and a large sum of cash!

Contact your local Dogs Trust for advice and message your friend to inform her.

We had a similar situation, and the process if you want to adopt this dog is to get the chip changed into your name, explaining the situation, they will write to previous owner and give them (I think) 3 weeks to challenge the adoption, and they then put dog into your name if no issues.
HOWEVER, the chip ownership doesn't prove who owns the dog, it is who pays vet bills, who pays for food and who the dog lives with. So if you want to keep doggy yes take to the vet ask for dog to be registered temporarily at least in your name, give a health check etc. And then scan for a chip, you will then be able to either update the chip or get the dog chipped in your name

Those who know, know...

😳

The owner may be a pickle, but all the best and love for the dog

It's dangerous to 'assume' anything until you know facts.

Is she abroad, does she have data.
Have you told her your worried about her welfare, and asked if she's okay?
If so, have you stated you can't keep their dog any longer, as it's been 6 weeks and you only agreed (?). What date did you agree she would collect the dog?

If she is late on returning, maybe their is a problem. Does she have friends you can ask if they've heard from her?

Have you 'called' her? There are plenty of apps which allow calls for local costs.

The dog, needs you not to dump it in a home which may pit it to sleep. Only for the neighbour to return. She may be in hospital (long shot) but you never know.

I'm so intrigued as to who does this?!

I totally agree. You need to speak to the police before she does and tell them everything that has happened. The last thing you need is to be arrested. Have you got anything in writing from this woman to say you are looking after her dog? Seriously worried for you!

how do you know it’s her reading the messages?

Someone has opened and read emails .
How do you know if this is her?
Please pass this to police to do welfare check

People seem to be missing the bit where the OP rang her, they spoke briefly and then she hung up on her-sounded like she was in a bar or club.

She's clearly abandoned her dog and I'd imagine it's because the poor dog has some health issues or something expensive