Q: My friend got a dog for his mom, but she couldn’t take of him. He ended up giving the dog to me, but is now demanding
The dog back, saying that he’s technically not my dog since I haven’t paid for him, but I have texts showing that he told me I could get him his money at the end of the week of October 10th. He’s threatened to call the cops, and he refuses to give me his shot record/bill of sale. What can I do ?
A:
Well, this is unfortunate! This is posted in the criminal section of Justia, but is really more of a property / contract issue.
The ownership of the dog will ultimately boil down to determining the intent between you and your friend when you received the dog. You say the intent was for you to own the dog. Apparently, the friend says otherwise. If there is extrinsic evidence of y'alls' intentions (other than just what the respective parties say) that evidence would be very important for law enforcement or a court in determining who the rightful owner of the dog is now. So, get those texts you referenced printed and ready to quickly show a law enforcement officer or court, if necessary.
Law aside, it's too bad you might lose a friend over this. Try to work this out amicably without the need for legal intervention. It sounds like the dog will be well cared for in either home environment. Good luck.
Ellen Cronin Badeaux agrees with this answer
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