San Jose, CA asked in Animal / Dog Law for California

Q: I was gifted a dog that was found.

The person who found the dog said they had had the dog for 3 days and looked for the owner, had taken him to the shelter and that there was no sign of the owner so they were trying to find a home for him because they couldn’t keep the puppy. Today the 5th day, we received a text from the guy who gave the dog to us saying that the owner had come by and asked for the puppy. Do we have to give him back? How can we find out if the person that is claiming to be the owner is really the owner?

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1 Lawyer Answer
William John Light
William John Light
Answered
  • Animal & Dog Law Lawyer
  • Santa Ana, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Yes, you have to give him back. He belongs to someone else. You know that. You are basically stealing somebody's property. The person who found the dog had no authority to give him to you or anyone else. He was supposed to give him to Animal Control.

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