On 9/19 we rescued a terrier puppy from a neighbor who was stomping on it and kicking it. We tried the number on the tag, it was disconnected. We walked the neighborhood knocking on doors, no one claimed it. Now, tonight, after 6 weeks with us, the owners come to claim it. Being honest people we give it back, reluctantly...as we find out that the folks who abused it are related to these owners. My kids are in tears, I miss Sparky, my hubby is pissed.

Does anyone know if we have ANY rights to try to re-claim this pet? The police don't know, and SPCA is closed until tomorrow.

I am really angry that nobody laid claim until now, almost 2 months later, AFTER she settled in and became a loved family member...and frankly I want her back ASAFP!!!

If anyone has ideas, please let me know. My kids are heartbroken, and I am worried that Sparky may be abused again.

I doubt you have any rights as by law its legally their pup unfortunately.. the only thing you can do is report what happend to the SPCA and tell them that you think it will still be abused, they'll check it out

Please do go to the SPCA! Anyone who abandons a pet for that long and allows others to treat it so cruelly shouldn't have the right to own a pet. I hope you can get Sparky back.
mary

I think Mary (solita17) is right about that, just complain about the owners who have abonded there dog for such a long time and that they take not good care of it...perhapse you will get Sparky back just be honest to the SPCA...good luck with it!!

There is always the possibility that the owners were on an extended leave somewhere else and left the dog w/a relative they thought would take care of it (I don't know, you didn't say whether or not they offered any explanation of anything?).

Because you took the dog from the neighbor and kept it rather than going through the ASPCA (not saying you shouldn't have), you have less of a legal standing of the dog being "abandoned property", but you should definitely follow up w/the ASPCA anyway so that they can keep an eye - if they decide Sparky is being abused again and needs to be removed from the home, you can ask to be notified and proceed with adoption from that point.

Spca says that despite doing all we did to find the owners, despite the previous abuse, we cannot do anything...if we can get pictures of her being neglected or abused then we can...and I live in the ghetto Cat, we don't get to take extended vacations!!

I think the laws stink. I have eyewitnesses to her being abused, and yet they get to keep her even though we were the ones who cleaned her up, and taught her not to be afraid of people, and loved her.

Puppynap her. Sooner or later she will be outside somewhere....

I'd do it---guilt free....

I have already begun planning...I have a pack of Ball Parks, her favorite toy, and patience...

The neighbors of the woman came over when they took Sparky back and they were all High-fiving while Rachel was in tears. Then they told her "sorry you lost your temporary dog" (no sh*t)...I damned near punched the woman! Rachel has been crying for 2 days, Robbie is moping...even Sparky's "sister" Fat Princess (our black cat)has been bummed, and sleeping in Sparky's bed...probably hoping she'll come back to cuddle her like before.

Yeah, I tried the honest method, it bit me in the butt. Sometimes being honest isn't the best. Especially knowing how Sparky was treated when we rescued her.