Q: Please note there are no written contracts. Have co-own show dogs with another person for 8 years. No problems with us.
Another breeder (note: she is a multi-millionaire) offered stud services at no charge. Have 3 females each with puppies by the stud owner's males. Her stud boys have many champion offspring. She wants one to be top stud dog in USA with champion offspring. She offered to pay for the offspring's show expenses, never asked us to pay her back. She paid some vet bills. Due to a misunderstanding with the show handler, the stud owner is demanding an apology from me (I offended her), that she rec'd. The stud owner wants $75,000 in out of pocket expenses from my co-owner & I, otherwise she wants the dogs signed over to her. I do not want to sign these dogs over. I feel like I am being emotionally blackmailed, extorted & the dogs are hostages & being held for ransom at this point. The dogs are at the handler's. I feel like I am being forced to do this. The other co-owner doesn't want any problems. What do I do? Sign the dogs over? What are the options I have at this point? Thank You
A:
If your story is accurate, then the breeder does not own your dogs or your puppies, but you will have to hire an attorney to defend against whatever her claims are. It is unclear whether you have any claims to assert against her.
I find the story a little far fetched. She offers stud services from a champion, for free. She pays for the offspring's show expenses, for free. She pays vet bills, for free. Even if she paid for those items, that does not make her an owner, or a part owner. However, those kinds of expenses do indicate that there was some kind of arrangement, by which she likely desired something in return. A full examination of every email, text message, contract, correspondence, etc., would be necessary to really evaluate the relationship between you and the claims she is making against you. I'm afraid you will have to get a consultation from an attorney and, given what appears to be a fairly time consuming evaluation, you should expect to pay.
A:
I just reviewed the Civil Harassment request for a restraining order. In it there is a section (15) in which you can claim that animals that you own be turned over to you. That could apply to your situation, and at the very least this stud owner is harassing you, so the remainder of the orders could also apply. This may be a good avenue to get before a Judge to have your animals returned to you. You would have to have the Handler also named in the request in Section 16, and the handler needs to have notice of the proceedings, too.
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