I need some advice asap

helenweekley · #1 29th August 2012, 08:44 PM

I adopted a new boxer off of my trainer, the previous owner boarded him and pretty much abandoned him there the trainer finally got in contact with him and gave him 30 days to pay and pick his dog up or it would be re homed and that is what happened he didn't call or show up so we adopted the dog. Well the guy called the trainer yesterday and said he wanted his dog back and apparently threatened the trainer and even though legally he can't do anything to the trainer he threatened him, I'm not sure what the threat was but the trainer is now pushing me really hard to give the dog back. I don't want to give the dog back we love him very much and he is a part of our family, my kids will be totally devastated if we have to and so will I. I guess I just want to know how to handle this, I'm sorry the guy is being threatened and is going to be out all this money but he knew that when he gave us the dog. I'm not one to get a dog and get rid of it, to me my dogs are my kids and it would be like giving away a child, I just don't know what to do or say I already told the trainer I wanted to keep him and he said he will give me until tomorrow evening to change my mind. Well I don't want to change my mind I love him. any advice?

helenweekley · #2 29th August 2012, 08:58 PM

actually the guy was sick and in and out of the hospital but has been out for a while but he boarded the dog for over a year and didn't check up on him or anything and was told if he didn't get his dog by the end of july it would be re homed and he didn't even call until yesterday.

helenweekley · #3 29th August 2012, 09:14 PM

Thank you I'm just worried he will show up at my house to get him since he did come here for some training sessions. It just really upset me in his last email he said the previous owner could give him a better home than me. Really because I would never ever board my dog for a year and not check on them. I would really try to never have to board my dog. Yes the guy may have more money than me but that does not mean better home. I also worry that there was no paper work done I do have all my facebook messages and text messages on my daughters ipod if it does get legal I hope it doesn't come to that the trainer said there is nothing the guy can do so I hope he is right. I do know I will never trust this trainer again he is only in it for the money, so sad.

srennie · #4 29th August 2012, 10:06 PM

Print out copies of everything you have. Does he have a microchip registered in your name? Vet records in your name? How long have you had him? I'm sure the laws are different in different states but dogs are considered property. It's scary to think about having to give him up but if he can prove he never gave up his property and convinces judge that he thought he was being boarded and never got the messages that he had 30 days then it's possible a judge would give him back.

I had a similar scare with my Darby. About 6 months after we adopted her from the rescue I took her for a microchip. They scanned her first and found she already had a chip that was missed by the shelter and the rescue because it had moved down her side. The vet said by law they had to contact the person the chip was registered to. I wanted to run out the door and hide my girl! Luckily it all worked out and the original owner had rehomed her and the new owners never updated the chip and I had all of the adoption paperwork showing she was never claimed at the shetler and the orginal owners didn't want her.

helenweekley · #5 29th August 2012, 10:34 PM

I've only had him since the beginning of this month so I haven't even had him to the vet yet we have an appt. but it isn't until sept.15th. If I ever adopt again it is going to be in writing this is a nightmare.

srennie · #6 29th August 2012, 11:48 PM

Find out what the laws are in your state. When I owned/managed a boarding kennel here in CA we had to follow abondonment procedures before we coudl re-home an abandoned dog. We had to send a certified letter with the 30 day notice to pay or pick up the dog. If the owner made contact in that 30 days, even if they did not pay, the 30 days started over. It sometimes took months and months to officially declare a dog abandoned. It was much easier when they gave us false contact info. It was the people who knew the law and would call every 28 days and say they still wanted their dog. Our hands were tied. If the trainer did not go about it in a legal way then even if you had it in writing from him, it wouldn't matter if he legally didn't have the right to re-home a dog that wasn't his to re-home.

When we adopted our little boston from a family I had them sign him over to me so they couldn't change their minds and ask for him back. I immediately took him for a microchip and vet exam just to have records in our name. I'm sorry you are going through this!!

Gatorblu · #7 30th August 2012, 07:16 AM

I would contact a lawyer. If money is an issue contact legal aid. I would not be giving the dog back without a fight. Anyone who boards their dog for a year without so much as a phone call doesn't deserve the dog. I am sorry the man was sick but he should have been well enough at some point to call and check on his dog.

As for him giving the dog a better home that is BS! You have given that dog more love and attention then he has. When it comes to "better", it doesn't get better than that. Good luck and keep up posted!