Accused of dog theft - URGENT HELP NEEDED
Discussion
The Mad Monk said:
S100HP said:
"sorry officer, I have no idea what you mean. They told us we can have the dog on the understanding we paid the vets bills, which we did, look"
No, don't debase yourself by telling lies.Report them to the RSPCA, which is what you should have done in the first place.
Did you report the neglect to the RSPCA when you had the dog off them or have any evidence of the neglect that means you could maybe speak to the RSPCA now?
It's not theft BTW as there is no dishonesty involved, they willingly gave you the dog to look after and you quite rightly don't want to return the dog due to welfare issues for him. The police should really tell them to seek their own legal process to recover the dog rather than entertain an allegation of theft. If that's the case the I'm sure that's the end of the matter as they won't want to spend the money on it.
They sound like absolute charmers.
It's not theft BTW as there is no dishonesty involved, they willingly gave you the dog to look after and you quite rightly don't want to return the dog due to welfare issues for him. The police should really tell them to seek their own legal process to recover the dog rather than entertain an allegation of theft. If that's the case the I'm sure that's the end of the matter as they won't want to spend the money on it.
They sound like absolute charmers.
Firstly, thank you for all of the responses!
We don't have any hard proof of neglect/cruelty but we do have a few people who will vouch that the state he was in was disgusting. They're not family or friends so that can only help our case as well as the vet who can comment that he's in perfect health. They messaged us this morning saying that he's reported us to the police and that they will take it further if we continue to refuse to give him back. We've asked him if he actually does that can we have the crime reference number so we can speak to them as well. We also have proof of vet bills, buying food, leads, coats and toys which they obviously didn't put a penny towards.
I'm not sure if the message was abusive that he sent to my mum but it's really upset her knowing that her brother is doing this despite knowing he's in the wrong. I can't express how cancerous these people are. Again, thank you for the replies!
superlightr said:
Another option is to offer to buy the dog - money may appeal more to them from how they sound. Get a receipt signed.
I have no doubt they will accept a sum of money, that's just the sort of people they are. I'd rather go down a different route first though.Red Devil said:
OP, is the vet who treated the dog aware that it belongs to your relatives?*
You'll need to get him/her onside if you refer this issue to the RSPCA.**
Which I would do, as it's the obvious counter punch to any threats of legal action.
I believe they were informed that we aren't the registered keepers. When we first got him we didn't take him to the vet as a family friend used to be one and suggested a few medicines etc that worked perfectly. He did go to the vets last week though as he pulled a leg muscle and the vet made a comment that he's in perfect health. Maybe that might help our case.You'll need to get him/her onside if you refer this issue to the RSPCA.**
Which I would do, as it's the obvious counter punch to any threats of legal action.
- Some people should not be allowed to own an animal.
- You never know, there might be a fairy-tale ending: you get to keep him.
NickGRhodes said:
Do you have evidence of mistreatment ?
Unfortunately not. I'm kicking myself for not taking photos and getting a professional vet's opinion.We don't have any hard proof of neglect/cruelty but we do have a few people who will vouch that the state he was in was disgusting. They're not family or friends so that can only help our case as well as the vet who can comment that he's in perfect health. They messaged us this morning saying that he's reported us to the police and that they will take it further if we continue to refuse to give him back. We've asked him if he actually does that can we have the crime reference number so we can speak to them as well. We also have proof of vet bills, buying food, leads, coats and toys which they obviously didn't put a penny towards.
I'm not sure if the message was abusive that he sent to my mum but it's really upset her knowing that her brother is doing this despite knowing he's in the wrong. I can't express how cancerous these people are. Again, thank you for the replies!
Kewy said:
Have you or your mum actually said to them 'we're not giving him back because of the state he was in under your care…' – be interesting to hear what they have to say on the matter.
I'm pretty sure she hasn't flat out refused yet, but she keeps saying it will be a good idea for him to stay with us from now on. The thing with her is that she's too soft and doesn't put things bluntly, she's always beating around the bush. cmaguire said:
If anyone in authority were to ask, I would just say that they gave him to you and he was in a state of neglect. There is no evidence of theft.
And now he is a part of your family and it is not reasonable for them to think they can just ask for him back. Which it isn't.
Unfortunately no longer an option as she messaged him via Facebook and they don't give off the impression that they gave him to us. Wouldn't take long to say that we are lying.And now he is a part of your family and it is not reasonable for them to think they can just ask for him back. Which it isn't.
DomesticM said:
I have no doubt they will accept a sum of money, that's just the sort of people they are. I'd rather go down a different route first though.
Why bother? It sounds like by far and away the easiest way to get these people out of your lives, and by far and away the best option for the dog.How much has been spent on vet bills and food in the time the dog's been with you? A hundred quid is nothing in comparison, I bet.
DomesticM said:
Unfortunately no longer an option as she messaged him via Facebook and they don't give off the impression that they gave him to us. Wouldn't take long to say that we are lying.
Their word against yours. No evidence of theft. So how else did you end up with your family dog that appears to be a happy and healthy member of your family?If somebody stole our dog I doubt it would take me 11 months to notice that the dog appeared to be living with a relative.
The moment you offer them money to make them go away is the moment it may be argued that you effectively show that the dog is still theirs.
The moment you offer them money to make them go away is the moment it may be argued that you effectively show that the dog is still theirs.
Edited by cmaguire on Friday 13th July 10:08
Was there any form of agreement or discussion as to the terms of you taking him on?
Did they think/understand it was temporary?
Obviously don't out and out lie, but if there was no agreement/discussion between you that it was temporary, say that you took him on as a permanent thing and that they are now changing their minds.
Then if they really want you to give him back issue them a bill for all of the vets bills as a minimum. (of my dogs needed care while in kennels, I would be issued a bill by them, which of course o would happily pay for the welfare of them)
If you really wanted to you could add in 11 months of board at something like £10-15 a night.
But this only really works if there was no agreement or it was agreed it was temporary.
Did they think/understand it was temporary?
Obviously don't out and out lie, but if there was no agreement/discussion between you that it was temporary, say that you took him on as a permanent thing and that they are now changing their minds.
Then if they really want you to give him back issue them a bill for all of the vets bills as a minimum. (of my dogs needed care while in kennels, I would be issued a bill by them, which of course o would happily pay for the welfare of them)
If you really wanted to you could add in 11 months of board at something like £10-15 a night.
But this only really works if there was no agreement or it was agreed it was temporary.
Buzz84 said:
Was there any form of agreement or discussion as to the terms of you taking him on?
Did they think/understand it was temporary?
Obviously don't out and out lie, but if there was no agreement/discussion between you that it was temporary, say that you took him on as a permanent thing and that they are now changing their minds.
Then if they really want you to give him back issue them a bill for all of the vets bills as a minimum. (of my dogs needed care while in kennels, I would be issued a bill by them, which of course o would happily pay for the welfare of them)
If you really wanted to you could add in 11 months of board at something like £10-15 a night.
But this only really works if there was no agreement or it was agreed it was temporary.
There was no agreement that it would be temporary or not. At the time it was a last minute thing and from what I understand they pretty much dumped him with us while not really giving my mum the option to say no. We couldn't see him go to the kennels when we could house him so we simply took him in. There's no point in asking for them to pay us for all of the food etc as they won't. Did they think/understand it was temporary?
Obviously don't out and out lie, but if there was no agreement/discussion between you that it was temporary, say that you took him on as a permanent thing and that they are now changing their minds.
Then if they really want you to give him back issue them a bill for all of the vets bills as a minimum. (of my dogs needed care while in kennels, I would be issued a bill by them, which of course o would happily pay for the welfare of them)
If you really wanted to you could add in 11 months of board at something like £10-15 a night.
But this only really works if there was no agreement or it was agreed it was temporary.
Buzz84 said:
Was there any form of agreement or discussion as to the terms of you taking him on?
Did they think/understand it was temporary?
Obviously don't out and out lie, but if there was no agreement/discussion between you that it was temporary, say that you took him on as a permanent thing and that they are now changing their minds.
Then if they really want you to give him back issue them a bill for all of the vets bills as a minimum. (of my dogs needed care while in kennels, I would be issued a bill by them, which of course o would happily pay for the welfare of them)
If you really wanted to you could add in 11 months of board at something like £10-15 a night.
But this only really works if there was no agreement or it was agreed it was temporary.
Just don't even entertain this. As soon as you start talking money you are weakening your position by conceding ownership.Did they think/understand it was temporary?
Obviously don't out and out lie, but if there was no agreement/discussion between you that it was temporary, say that you took him on as a permanent thing and that they are now changing their minds.
Then if they really want you to give him back issue them a bill for all of the vets bills as a minimum. (of my dogs needed care while in kennels, I would be issued a bill by them, which of course o would happily pay for the welfare of them)
If you really wanted to you could add in 11 months of board at something like £10-15 a night.
But this only really works if there was no agreement or it was agreed it was temporary.
They gave you the dog. End of story. At that point all costs became your responsibilty, as did the dog. The dog is yours. They ceased to have any claim over it when they gave it to you.
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