Cary, NC asked in Animal / Dog Law for North Carolina

Q: If someone tries to take their dog back after they said they needed to give him away, legally can they take them back?

My friend was giving his dog away, he is going through a lot of emotional stuff. His home when I took the dog was disgusting. I took this dog to get his shots, checkup and have bathed this dog myself as well as going to PetSmart. He has acclimated to my home and is in training. Now this friend wants his dog back but is still going through a lot of court related things. I don't feel comfortable letting the dog go back as the home he was, was neglected and disgusting. I am concerned that this dog will be in the bad situation.

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

A: If he gave you the dog then it’s yours. Hopefully you have text messages or something of this gift, otherwise it might be possible he could take the dog back. But he’d have to sue you in court and win and it sounds like he doesn’t really have the bandwidth to do that.

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