Q: How long does someone have to claim a lost dog?
One of my friends found a dog last Wed. and they put flyers up and no one has called to claim and they want to keep the dog. They took it to the vet and it didnt have any identification or micro chip and they also got the dog vaccinated and got it some other shots cause they werent sure if had any of it. But now the "owner" of the dog called a week later wanting the dog back. I just wanted to know how long does the owner have to claim the dog. and is there anything my friend can do to keep the dog. and does the "owner" of the dog have to reimburse my friend for the money she spent on the dog while she was caring for it?
A: Keeping or ransoming the dog would be theft or conversion, criminal offenses. You can however seek reimbursement in small claims court, i.e. your local justice of the peace court, if their consciences do not rise to the occasion.
A: Your friend would need to return the dog but does have the right to seek reimbursement for its veterinary care and for the reasonable cost of caring for the dog.
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