Denver, CO asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado

Q: I've had my friends dog for over two years, she's seen the dog maybe 5 times. Does she have ownership of the dog

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1 Lawyer Answer
Tristan Kenyon Schultz
Tristan Kenyon Schultz
Answered
  • Fort Collins, CO
  • Licensed in Colorado

A: There is a significant divide between the legal requirements and what the majority of people do. Let me explain. From a technical legal perspective it is unclear if your friend has abandoned or ceded ownership to you. You have a strong claim based on you facts for either claim, but you will need to notify your friend of your intentions of keeping the dog and may need to pursue a court action to have the dog declared your property (pets are property - I know, I know... that sounds horrible, but it is the law). If you pursue the legal approach there is a possibility that you will lose and have to return the dog. What most people do in practice is just keep the pet and hope the friend does ask for it back (some people simply refuse to return the animal without a court order). Beyond encouraging you to always follow the law, I make no recommendations on which approach to pursue.

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