Expert: Tina Volpe - 4/1/2009

Question
I am trying to determine if my family still has ownership of our dog.  We gave our dog to a family that did not take care of him, he kept running away.  The last time he ran away someone took him to an animal hospital.  I called a friend to ask if she would pick him up and find him a home which she did.  My husband is not happy and wants the dog back.  I did not tell my husband and he states that the dog is still legally ours.  The dog has a chip with our information in him and no paperwork was ever done giving the dog away.  The family who has the dog does not want to give the dog back.  Are we still the legal owners?

Answer
Hi Dale,

Gosh this is difficult, because laws depend on states and my suggestion is to contact your local Human Society, or ASPCA (American Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals) - to get the facts on this type of thing.  

Personally, if you have nothing in writing and the dog has vet records and also a chip with your information it would seem the dog still belonged to you, but one phone call to one of the organizations I gave you should remedy this immediately, esp since the dog was not treated correctly, but legally I can't give advice on this.  

I wish you all the best and hope that the dog ends up with you - and don't give him/her away again :)!

Tina Volpe