Need HELP very urgently

JHBoxerMom · #1 30th May 2002, 10:40 PM

Hi all,
I need help regarding this really bad.
About a week ago I found a boxer, he belongs to one of the neighbors in the neighborhood. Apparenly they went out of state and left the poor thing tied up to a chain with no food or water, I asked thier next door neighbor what was up and they said that usually ask them to take care of the dog when they leave. Well, no one was asked to take care of his this time. He kept breaking the chain and one day I found him laying in the grass half dead. I took him home and I gave him water and food, he would not stop drinking! So I have been taking care of him for almost a week and the owners are not back yet.
I really love the dog now and he is really attached to me and I would like to keep him. So I am asking what do you know about the laws regarding keeping a lost pet. I mean I know who he belongs to, but they don't care about him if they left him like that for such a long time and I don't even know when they are coming back. He had no color or tag on him when I found him.
I am planning on asking the "owners" when they come back if I could keep a dog, but I am pretty sure the answer is going to be a "NO" because they just like the way the dog looks is all.
I don't think it's fair to Tyson (that is his name) to be treated like that, he is a real sweetheart.
So I really need your help out here on what to do now.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me with this.
Thank you,
Jules

Aimee · #2 31st May 2002, 06:39 AM

The legal thing to do is turn the dog into the animal shelter for running at-large and then if not claimed, you can adopt him. In some states, dogs that come in without a collar of some sort or tags go up for adoption immediately. Please keep us posted!

giveboxerahug · #3 31st May 2002, 07:09 AM

I would turn him into the shelter immediately and then put an adoption hold on him so that the only ones who could take him would be his owners. I don't know about your state but the rule here is that a stray must be held for three days before being adopted. Good Luck.

JHBoxerMom · #4 31st May 2002, 07:29 AM

OK, I might try it if I have time. I hope they are not back any time soon. I feel kinda bad saying that because if something like that happened to me I would be really upset about losing my dog, but on the other hand I don't leave my dog outside for 2 weeks with no food or water, I don't leave my dog outside at all for that matter.
I guess if it's meant to be the dog will be mine, if not I am sure he will be breaking his chain and coming over here. So in any case the owners should see that they are not taking proper care of him.
Thanks for the replies.
Jules

myrocky · #5 31st May 2002, 03:11 PM

Agree with Aimee on this. Take the dog to the shelter or call AC and tell them what happened. If you let them know that you have been taking care of him and if no one claims him you want first dibbs that should not be a problem. I would think the shelter would respect that. Good luck on this and let us know what happens!

clara's parents · #6 31st May 2002, 06:13 PM

OMG, that makes me sooooo mad to hear about that. Please let us know what happens. People can be so cruel and irresponsible. I hope everything works out for the best interest of the boxer

Peggy G · #7 1st June 2002, 08:24 AM

Tyson belongs with you. He has probably never known such attention. Do what you need to legally before they return and take their dog back---which they will---and you wont be able to do a thing about it. Call your local SPCA and tell them you found a stray. Let them know you would like to keep him but you want to give the owners a chance to claim him. Chances are they will not even call the SPCA even if they do return in time. Find out how many days he would have to stay with them before you could adopt him. Hopefully its just 3 days. Make sure they put a hold on him for you if the owners dont show up. This is very important! After the required amount of time go adopt him. He will be your legally and *THOSE PEOPLE* can't do a thing about it. Make this happen. It shouldnt take too much time other than a phone call, drop off and pick up. You will be giving Tyson the life he deserves.

stephanie_kos42 · #8 29th June 2002, 06:37 PM

caricon caricon

Do you locally have animal control?? call 'em... it's abuse... report them

jrodriguez42 · #9 3rd July 2002, 02:46 PM

So, what happened with Tyson? and did the neighbors return home?