Major dilema: should i give up the dog or is he mine?

[tboy]

That is what the lady is doing. Lisa's first paragraph says it all. The owner did not say here keep it, did she?. No she said "to look after the dog while she was gone"

my daughter was given a dog to look after while the owner; a young pregnant lady who was homeless went to a womans shelter for the duration of her pregnancy

The wording is key in a situation like this.....was the daughter given the dog? or was the daughter given the dog to look after?

i just had a brainstorm: maybe i should tell her to pay me for the 7 months i been looking after him

That is a MOST excellant idea. Although legally one could argue both sides: was compensation ever discussed? Even if it wasn't specifically brought up common sense would dictate that some sort of renumeration for care would be forthcoming. I mean, how much would it have cost to board the dog at a kennel? I think I heard somewhere that it is about $100.00 per week or something like that.

When the police call (and they will if she does in fact contact them) you have to decide how you're going to play this: compassion for the dog being neglected if returned to the owner? or Compensation for the care and comfort for the past 3 months. I don't think you could play it both ways....

If I were you I'd play it that you don't think the dog would be well cared for if returned. I mean, the owner has a history of such correct? Now on top of her troubles she has a baby to look after and since she couldn't look after herself and the dog, what's to say that she can look after herself, a baby AND a dog now?

Anyhow, keep us posted, I'm curious as to what the police will say, if in fact they are contacted.....

 

[Auggie]

Legally it`s her dog but if he bites you need to keep him away from children.
I hope you can get her to understand this.

 

[Art Mann]

...He is just not cool with babies or small kids and he's got a vicious bite. That I know for sure too cuz he's taken a couple chunks from my hands. I had to get a muzzle to put ear-drops in his ears. . . .

Should you decide to give the dog back to your daughter's friend, consider typing up a document for her to sign (in duplicate), in which she acknowledges that you have informed her that Prince has "taken a couple chunks from my hands" and that you are concerned the dog might sink his teeth into the flesh of her child or other infants.

The most important thing is to protect you and absolve you of all legal responsibility should you choose this course of action.

 

[LisaOfToronto]

Should you decide to give the dog back to your daughter's friend, consider typing up a document for her to sign (in duplicate), in which she acknowledges that you have informed her that Prince has "taken a couple chunks from my hands" and that you are concerned the dog might sink his teeth into the flesh of her child or other infants.

The most important thing is to protect you and absolve you of all legal responsibility should you choose this course of action.

tboy i've had the dog for 7 months, i told the girl to pay me 200$ a month if she wanted him back, she said no

i told her to chose her battle carefully, that if she calls the cops, i'll inform Childrens Aid how the dog took a few chunks of my hand & the baby is not safe around him

cops just called, said it wasn't a criminal matter its a civil matter

 

[tboy]

tboy i've had the dog for 7 months, i told the girl to pay me 200$ a month if she wanted him back, she said no

i told her to chose her battle carefully, that if she calls the cops, i'll inform Childrens Aid how the dog took a few chunks of my hand & the baby is not safe around him

cops just called, said it wasn't a criminal matter its a civil matter

I suspected as much......and good on ya for asking for money for care and boarding of the dog......

 

[tboy]

The dog should go back to its owner. Your daughter kindly took the dog in to care for it temporarily. Not sure the details of the original arrangement, but you should not ask for compensation for looking after the dog.

I'd agree if it was for a weekend or even a week...but 7 months? that's a LOT to ask of someone you barely know......

 

[Marvin]

The dog should go back to its owner. Your daughter kindly took the dog in to care for it temporarily. Not sure the details of the original arrangement, but you should not ask for compensation for looking after the dog.

Yes and no but who pays for the maintance when she had it.

 

[Maurice Boscorelli]

Should you decide to give the dog back to your daughter's friend, consider typing up a document for her to sign (in duplicate), in which she acknowledges that you have informed her that Prince has "taken a couple chunks from my hands" and that you are concerned the dog might sink his teeth into the flesh of her child or other infants.

The most important thing is to protect you and absolve you of all legal responsibility should you choose this course of action.

This makes sense too me. Sometimes we have to consider our legal vulnerability for those who would take advantage should the situation arise.