Pontiac, MI asked in Animal / Dog Law for Michigan

Q: Can I adopt my previously owned dog from the shelter?

Me & my boyfriend were 17 and living with his dad when we got a puppy. Few months later down the road his dad found a gf and we all moved in with her but her male dog and our male dog didn’t get along and wanted to kill eachother over our other female dog so we had to get rid of our male dog. We gave him to a friend, who gave him to a family friend, who gave him to the shelter (we were unaware he was going to be passed off like that and that definitely was not our choice at all). Well a little less than a year later, we’re 18 and have our own house now and found out he was still in the shelter. So we were looking to adopt him and they told us they can’t release the dog to a previous owner. Can they legally do that? We just want our best friend back.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
Answered
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Licensed in Michigan

A: I believe that is the policy of most shelters. I don't believe there is anything you can do about that.

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