Denver, CO asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado

Q: At what point can I assert ownership of a stray dog.

Two large stray dogs showed up at my rural home. We cared for both for three days before taking the smaller of the two to the local shelter to see if he was chipped. He was chipped and the shelter contacted the registered owner. I informed the shelter that I have the other dog at my home. The two dogs are known by the shelter to run at large together. They would not rerelease the dog I brought in due to the owner already being contacted. I tried multiple times to call the owner so I could return the other dog but received no answer. The shelter agreed to put the owner in touch with us when they come in to claim the dog from the shelter. The shelter has had the dog for two days now and the dogs owner has not shown up to claim him and has not responded to thier subsequent attempts to make contact. I would be happy to make both dogs part of my family. What are my options for asserting ownership?

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2 Lawyer Answers
Juliet Piccone
Juliet Piccone
Answered
  • Animal & Dog Law Lawyer
  • Greenwood Village, CO
  • Licensed in Colorado

A: Pursuant to state law, the shelter has to hold dogs with ID for five days (three for dogs without ID). Once the hold period is up they can do whatever they want with the dogs, so make sure you've put in written requests to adopt both dogs NOW and follow up daily.

Juliet Piccone
Juliet Piccone
Answered
  • Animal & Dog Law Lawyer
  • Greenwood Village, CO
  • Licensed in Colorado

A: Pursuant to state law, the shelter has to hold dogs with ID for five days (three for dogs without ID). Make sure they have input the dog you have at home in their system as a stray hold as well or ownership won't be severed by statute. Once the hold period is up they can do whatever they want with the dogs, so make sure you've put in written requests to adopt both dogs NOW and follow up daily.

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