Following on from the Lost dog found post.

[mollichop]

Horrible situation for all concerned, IF the new owner is genuine, then can understand them not wanting to part with dog - rightly or wrongly - a bond may have been formed (not to mention a bargain had).

This is the long bit - sorry!

Years ago my ex and I had a decorator in. We had a young dalmation at the time and were considering a 2nd dog. The decorator said he had to rehome his Weimaraner as had no time for it. Dog was being passed from pillar to post with relatives and mates and didn't know where it was half the time.

I said we'd have him for weekend trial period on condition that he stayed with us from then on in if all were happy as didn't want to unsettle him any more. Trial went great, lovely dog who got on with the dally really well.

He had terrible eczema due to stress which cleared up in 8 days as soon as he had a routine with us and was happy and setled (as vet said it would do).

Anyhoo - 2 weeks later, decorator turned up unannouced on doorstep saying he'd made a mistake and demanding dog back I told him he was happy now and surely he could see it was in dogs best interest to leave him? He agreed but said his family were missing him????

I didn't have a leg to stand on - no money was exchanged and he was legal owner of him.

So - it got me thinking about when dogs are obtained from adverts or rehomed privately (not rescue orgs) do you run the risk that they're stolen goods and could be taken off of you at a later date?

Sorry it's longwinded - wanted to give an example and see what you thought?

 

[Stinkbomb]

unfortunatly you do run the risk they are stolen. thats why its a good idea to get their history and see whether the owners can prove it. i.e. photos etc...
ALSO if tis a dog that SHOULD have papers whether they are pedigree papers or microchip papers etc.. make sure you get them!

Its always a good idea to get a bill of sale ( receipt ) too with details of the dog in, signed by both parties to help with a situation such as yours. Even if no money exchanges hands.

 

[mollichop]

Its always a good idea to get a bill of sale ( receipt ) too with details of the dog in, signed by both parties to help with a situation such as yours. Even if no money exchanges hands.

I know - hindsight and all that! I was naive and thought he was happy his dog had got a good home for life.

In the case of the Shar-pei, does it strengthen the original owners case that that type of dog *should* have papers and secondary owner cannot produce them? Meaning would it hold more merit than if dog was a mongrel or not?

 

[Stinkbomb]

Not all "pedigree" dogs have papers but it would certainly help. It would also help if the owner had only paid say £50 for a dog thats worth LOTS more...