[SueRae]

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.

[ClearCase_guy]

Is your dog registered with the town? Dog tags? The other person may have removed any tags, but if your dog is registered and "her" dog is not, then that would weigh in your favor.

The other poster's idea about vet records is also very good.

[rusureitflies?]

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...

[Marie]

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.

[Alberta's Child]

If one owner has any kind of official documentation establishing ownership (dog registration, records for rabies shots, etc.), then I think that would stand up in a court of law. If neither owner does (or both do), then I don't know how this all gets resolved.

The other woman sounds pretty unstable. Maybe SHE needs to be checked for rabies?

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Get a lawyer and sue. The person who represents their self has a fool for an attorney.

[AppyPappy]

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.

[Malone LaVeigh]

Anytime you find what appears to be a lost pet you should first call the local animal shelter to see if anyone has reported one matching their description missing. Did you call the shelter or do you know if the people who initially found him did?
Lost dogs can travel amazing distances sometimes, so canvassing your immediate neighborhood might not yield any worthwhile results. I had 2 dogs show up in my yard years ago that belonged to someone who lived 80 miles away.
If this woman never officially reported this dog missing, then given the amount of time that transpired, unless she has some kind of documentation to support her claim, she may have a little trouble proving ownership. The irony here is that if the people that initially found this dog had turned him in to the shelter, he probably would have been euthanized.
I always advise people who own dogs to get them microchipped. Tags get lost, collars come off, but that chip is always there and once the dog has been scanned, there's little question of ownership.

[healy61]

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.”

[mnehring]

You called the police over that? IMHO, I think you answered your own issue here: For the record, we've had the dog for eight months. He ran into our yard in December.

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.

[STYRO]

Repeat afer me:
THE POLICE ARE NOT MY FRIENDS
THE POLICE ARE NOT MY FRIENDS
THE POLICE ARE NOT MY FRIENDS
(apologies to your husband, the police officer)

[mnehring]

When the police officer arrived on the scene, he was already mad and didn't really want to be there.

One other thing. Put yourself in his shoes. A tropical storm just came through, there is a lot of damage everywhere. Many people are without power. He is going around making sure people are safe. Probably watching out for looters, checking on old people to make sure they stay cool, and keeping people from coming in contact with power lines. Suddenly, he has to stop all this and go to the scene, over... a dog.

[SeaHawkFan]

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.

Given this scenario, you really need to ask what you should do? Isn't it obvious?

[Mind-numbed Robot]

I had some good advice but after reading that you were running around the neighborhood in your pajamas I am afraid I can’t help. Just wouldn’t be prudent.

:-)

[Half Vast Conspiracy]

Something doesn’t pass the smell test here. Let me confirm: Is your husband a sworn police officer? In the town you live in?