Not sure what to do? - Page 1

Just curious

My friends boyfriend purchased a german shepherd dog last year and his son was to take care of her but he was neglecting her. So, his father gave me the dog and hung onto the papers, not sure why? He says the name on the papers are his sons and he said he wasn't going to tell him?? I've now had the dog since June 10of last year. It's now been 8 months and now he is asking me if he and his son can come and see the dog. I'm not sure what kind of game this man is playing. Is there any advice to help me in case he should try and take the dog?

Tell him to piss off.

ditto

hmm...microchip this dog with your info...just in case he does take it...you will have proof that this dog is yours or been with you since (date of microchip).... otherwise you have no proof if you had a dog 1 week or 1 year..

If the dog has been seen by a veterinarian while in your care, you would have that as proof of ownership.  Any bills you've paid, any food you've purchased, and incidental expenses will show that the dog was left in your care and you have become the new owner.

Like the others stated, tell him to piss off!

-or-

If he'd like the dog back, you could hand him a bill for daily boarding fees ($20/day seems fair!), which should add up to a tidy sum, close to or more than the original purchase price!  Toys, bedding, etc. would all be refundable costs.  So, you could tell him to either pay up or hand over the papers!  Don't give him the dog!

Agreed... You took the dog, took care of it and it sounds like they hope to recoup the dog since they still have the papers.

 How old is the son? Did you document the dog's arrival? Did you document the condition of the dog on arrival? Save emails or proof that the dog's ownership and custody was being given to you? Vet records for the care of the dog?

    I do all of these things from the day I take posessesion of all dogs I bring into my home. They go to vet within first day or two of arriving and everything is saved and documented. If they ever gave you trouble over getting dog back they would not want long term boarding bill for the care of the animal as it would be more than they would get from selling or breeding the dog now that you have raised and cared for it. :)

Thanks for the advice everyone, I'm a little relieved now

Why would a father purchase a German Shepherd, let his son take care of it, and put the dog in the son's name? Who signed the inital purchase agreement on the dog (if there was one?)  If the son wanted to, the son could say, "my father gave away my dog without my permission...he wasn't taking care of her" and get the dog back.

I suggest you write up some form of ownership relinquishment papers and have the SON sign it (since he would be the legal owner of the dog depending on his age.)

As others have said, if you haven't already, establish a Veterinary history with this dog at YOUR Vet's.  

Why would I get the son to sign since I already know he wants the dog seeing that he wants to see her. The father verbally said that the son does NOT know that the papers are in his name. So, the ball is in his court, right?? It was a verbal agreement and my husband said he was NOT gonna give her back once we got her.

(Yes, He said he paid a pile of money for the dog and yes, the son who is 17 years old said he would take care of her but he didn't and the father got tired of paying for dog etc. And that's where I came in.....8 months later I'm concerned because of what the father is hinting....it's crazy and I hate feeling threatened seeing that we took care of her, she is now a part of our family.

You are absolutely correct, she is now part of your family!  You took her to releive him of a burden and the son should have learned a lesson from this, he shouldn't get the dog back.  I wouldn't even let him come to see the dog, just tell him "NO".  If he wants to pursue it through a court, he'll have plenty of explaining to do... how you came to have the dog in your possession.  Have you spoken to your friend, since she's the common denominator?  Let her know exactly where you stand and don't give an inch!

Make sure you do make a list of every penny you've laid out for the dog and if he does take you to court, bring it along.  If there were any witnesses to the exchange, ask if they'd be willing to testify.  But, I have a feeling it won't go that far.  Good luck!