Posted on 06/30/2012 4:47:09 AM PDT by dixiedarlindownsouth
When the tropical storm came in last week, our gate blew open and two of our puppies escaped. We immediately gave chase. We found one of our dogs in a neighbors yard and brought him back. We began searching for the smaller dog, but didn't see him. My four year old, my sister and I drove the neighborhood endlessly calling him. We thought we heard him bark a few times, but couldn't pin point where it was coming from. Eventually, a young woman came out of her house and started screaming at our vehicle that it was her dog. That's the cleaned up version. I put the car in reverse and tried to figure out what she was saying. When we got closer to her, I tried to get her to calm down, but she continued to escalate. At this point, we called the police.
For the record, we've had the dog for eight months. He ran into our yard in December. My husband walked the entire neighborhood looking for fliers and even did some door to door in our immediate area. He was able to find a family that had found the dog initially. The dog had been in their possession for about three weeks, but they were not able to keep it. They told my husband that they were taking the dog to the pound. So my husband brought him home.
When the police officer arrived on the scene, he was already mad and didn't really want to be there. I get that. He didn't spend anytime speaking with me. He asked if we could identify the dog, and I brought up a photo on the phone. He looked at it but said " I can't see s@!#, and thew it in my drivers seat. He then proceeded up to the young woman's door and stayed there for about twenty minutes looking through all of the pictures she had. It's important to note that she stated she saw the dog run off and just thought that he was "stretching his legs." She also stated that she knew where the dog was all along, and was only "waiting for them to let him out." He was a puppy at that time, so I can't follow this logic. She also kept bringing the dog out with a rope tied around his neck taunting us. Then the driveway began filling up with all kinds of "wanna be" thugs showing some love to their home girl.
When the officer arrived back at my vehicle, I asked that he speak with my husband who is also an officer. He refused initially. I told him that he had spent half an hour with the young female. He could at least pretend like he was giving us the opportunity to give our information.
Long story short, he gave the dog to the young woman stating that he believed the dog was hers. I told him that I believed it to be a civil matter and that he shouldn't be making that decision. A judge should decide that. I then asked to speak with his supervisor regarding his behavior to me. He got a little nasty at that, so I drove my family home and called the station.
I was told by his supervisor that he did "half a$!@ it" and that he had just been so over worked lately that he didn't have the patience for the call. He ( the supervisor) stated that he was sure that I was dressed professionally and presented in a "credible manner." I was in my pajamas; I sustained an injury to my knee that is quite painful and that day was especially hard. I told him that I was in my pajamas and he said "Come to think of it, he mentioned that."
All of this is to ask if anyone has any knowledge of my rights in this matter in the state of Florida. I am usually pretty good at research but cannot come up with anything. And I am just sad about this. And a little mad.
I apologize for the length of this.
Sadly, I do not. But you may want to contact a local SPCA or Animal rescue or even a veterinarian if you took the pup there for any treatments (shots, neutering) to establish ownership. Likely one of those has seen this kind of situation before.
I hope it can be settled amicably.
The other poster's idea about vet records is also very good.
let things cool down... “a dog is a dog is a dog”... the woman has her agenda... the main thing is that the dog has a good home...no use stirring the pot,now.. your energy and wit will create a solution... your mental health is most important... you could send the woman and the cop a bouquet of flowers thanking them for being who they are...
Thank you very much for the response.
I know it’s a little late for this, but I had my dog’s ear tattooed when we had her spayed.
Vet records, rabies shot records, etc. Facebook screen caps around the time you found the dog.
I’m afraid you’re going to have to go to court. You may not get the dog back, but you can ask for the woman to either return the dog or compensate you for the money you put into it. ($20 a day for boarding, vet bills, etc)
One more thing for future reference: My husband carries a little green book and a pen with him everywhere he goes. He makes notes in it through the day. (Only at work.) He calls it his CYA (cover your @$$) book. Sure enough, he’s used it as a reference to incidents and it has gotten him out of hot water and once a false accusation.
My daughter has started using one for every day life. It’s considered a diary and will hold up on court if it’s hand-written.
Yes, we did register him. We also had him neutered and took care of all of the vetting. Thank you for the response.
Yes, we did register him. We also had him neutered and took care of all of the vetting. Thank you for the response.
The other woman sounds pretty unstable. Maybe SHE needs to be checked for rabies?
I like the idea of the CYA book. Making a “note to self” on that. I guess we will go to court. We have pictures all the way back through the time that he came to live with us. The officer didn’t dispute that. He just said her claim took priority over ours. Thank you.
Thank you for the response, but I don’t think I can be the bigger person here. Especially when I don’t feel he ( Rocket Dog) is in a good home. But I appreciate your reply very much.
She was unstable. She came into the car forcing her computer in my face until the 911 call was made. She was hyper verbal and seemed to have difficulty stringing together sentences that made any sense. We don’t have any papers except for the vet records. I guess we will have to see how it sorts itself out.
Like I said, you made a reasonable effort to find the owner.
Now, if she stated that she’s known the whole time who had her dog, you can say that she owes you for boarding.
Or she can return the animal.
That’s the angle I’d use.
“bigger person”....are you happier being the “smaller person?” Keep a gentle spirit.. monitor Rocket Dog’s care... get more folks in the neighborhood on your side... stay away from the judge get an arbitrator...
If you want the dog back it sounds like you’re going to need an attorney. I don’t think there is any other way.
Get a lawyer and sue. The person who represents their self has a fool for an attorney.
The one thing that jumps out at me is that you never mentioned your husband’s take on the whole thing. He’s an officer. I would think he would have more pull.
et me be first to say that I’m surprised that he didn’t shoot the dog. Tell the commander to get the gun out of the officer’s hands and quick before he goes “police-al.”
IE, you didn't purchase him, you didn't adopt him, and someone didn't give him to you. He was a dog who got lost and happened in your yard. I don't think there is a 'finder's keepers' rule in regards to pets.
The way I see it, the storm helped you find the owner of the dog. Count it as a blessing, not something to call the police about.
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