Accused of dog theft - URGENT HELP NEEDED

[DomesticM]

Hi guys, in desperate need of some legal help here.

To cut a long story short, my uncle and auntie are horrid people who openly admitted to having 4 kids just to be able to claim more money in benefits. She hasn’t worked a day in her life and he hasn’t kept a job for longer than 6 months - they’re just disgusting people. Due to them owing an obscene amount of money to various banks etc they were made homeless and couldn’t look after their dog.

Me and my mum, being nice people took the dog in so he wouldn’t be put in a kennel. When he arrived he had a serious skin infection and fleas to the point that he could barely stand. He was constantly shaking and would flinch when we went to touch him, it was heart breaking to see a dog in this state. They never walked him, washed him or took him to the groomers to get his hair cut. Not only was he in such a bad state, but they didn’t even have a soft bed for him - they brought over this horrible plastic dog bed but without any cushions or even a blanket. Animal cruelty doesn’t even cut it.

So we took him in about 11 months ago and not once have they given any money towards food etc or even come to visit him. They haven’t even asked to see how he is. He’s now got a full coat of fur, his weight has improved and he’s just a happy little dog again. Fast forward to last week when we got a message saying that they’ve been rehoused and can take the dog back. Now, us knowing what they’re like and exactly how he will be treated asked politely if he could stay here until they had a more stable environment for the dog to live in. They said no and that they want the dog back otherwise they will take legal action (while also accusing my mum of stealing the dog, over feeding him (they haven’t even been over to see him) and being abusive calling her a crap auntie to their child who is failing school because he misses the dog). It’s all rubbish because there is no low they won’t stoop to, to get what they want.

We need some advice as what to do next. We can’t let them have him back because they mistreat him to the point that he’s getting ill. If they were to take legal action, what measurements can we take to stop them taking him back? We’re doing this purely for dog’s welfare, not because we’re greedy.

Any help will be greatly appreciated so we can ensure that Rory is kept well.

[DomesticM]

Firstly, thank you for all of the responses!

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.

• 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.

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.

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!

[DomesticM]

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.

[DomesticM]

Johnnytheboy said:

Is he microchipped?

Yes.

[DomesticM]

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.

[DomesticM]

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.

[DomesticM]

MYOB said:

And who is listed as the owner on the microchip?

They are.

[DomesticM]

Johnnytheboy said:

If they are such odious people your mum must have something on them. Benefit fraud?

Unfortunately not - they're very good at being scum. They got given an almost free house not long ago by the council and they complained that they didn't like how it was furnished and demanded a new one. Guess what? They got a new one.

[DomesticM]

Again, thanks for all of the replies.

Last night they sent over the crime number. My uncle has given us 7 days to give the dog back before he takes it further. A bit of good luck is that when we first took the dog to the groomers about a month after he got here, the groomer said about how he was in such a bad state so we're going to get in contact with her to see if she will give a statement (anonymously obviously).

[DomesticM]

Shuvi McTupya said:

OP, I would definitely start thinking about CCTV, your relatives sound like the kind or people to try something..

They don't have the IQ for that.

Still no contact from the police, or anyone in fact. My uncle decided to call my nan up late the other night to try and pester her into siding with him (she doesn't, she wants to stay out of it for obvious reasons) to the point of reducing her to tears. He has no decency at all.

Will update the thread when something actually happens. Once again, thanks for all of the comments and support.

[DomesticM]

Just in case anyone wanted closure, it turns out despite owing £50,000+ worth of debt, they've gone out and bought another dog. So much for loving this one and fighting for him!