Denver, CO asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado

Q: Can I keep a dog I've been dog sitting for about 4 months?

We were only supposed to keep her for a week or two, but it's been about 4 months with almost no contact from the original owner and now they want to take her back. I am really worried that it won't be good for her to go back to an owner she doesn't know, and just never see us or our other pets that she has developed a relationship with again. Do I have any legal grounds to keep her, since she has lived with us for 4 months and hasn't seen her "owner" since we started dog sitting her, despite multiple attempts from me to get the"owner" to come visit her?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
Answered
  • Animal & Dog Law Lawyer
  • Denver, CO
  • Licensed in Colorado

A: Unfortunately, no. If the owner never gave the dog to you and is now demanding him/her back, you are required by law to give the dog back. Now, you could always try to offer money to buy the dog from the original owner, but whether or not the owner will accept is up to that person.

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