Q: Stolen pet returned home on own. Who has custody?
4 months ago my kids dog was taken from my back yard. Today she ran up to our front door barking to be let in. Just like the past. She still answers to her name and has all the same markings. I made facebook posts and kept an eye out on my side of town. I asked people when they posted lost dogs. Someone had had her but was not taking care of her. She is so flea ridden. I got 200+ fleas from her. She is a little under weight as well. I just don't want someone to try and claim her that isn't her true owner. She is sitting here like the old times. It's surreal and my 4 kids will be so ecstatic. What can I do to protect my rights to my dog?
A: Sounds that you actually answered your own question. If the pet was stolen, the people who stole the pet did not have legal custody of the pet. It was a stolen pet, owned by your family. You family is rightful owner of the pet, and your family has custody of the pet. If you haven 't done so already, you should place an identifying tags on the dog.
Alexander Florian Steciuch agrees with this answer
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