Q: If a dog was given to me and the papers were emailed to me can I charge the people money if they want it back?
Dog papers were emailed to me, but I never had the dog registered in my own name. I have paid for rabies, kennel cough, and distemper shots. I have paid for grooming. I have paid for food, toys, treats, etc.
The previous owners want her back even though I told them no a couple of times. We had an agreement to give the dog back if they wanted her within 2 months. It's been over 3 months and they feel I need to honor the agreement still. They wouldn't back off so I gave them the dog and charged them $2000. I came up with the $2000 by generously assessing boarding fees and typical expenses. They have threatened to sue for extortion. Should I be worried? Should I be taking any actions against them?
A:
Before I can answer any question I first need to make sure that I am understanding the question.
1. You purchased a dog from previous owner?
2. You paid the dog's Vet bills, amounting to $2,000?
3. The previous owners now want the dog back?
4. You gave the dog back?
5. You billed them for $2,000 for the Vet?
Is all of this true?
If so, the bill is your's. If you "purchased" the dog, you have a receipt for the money you spent to buy the dog, right? So, why would you "give" a dog back that you spent money to buy and even more money to fix? Why not offer the original owners that in exchange for the Vet bill being paid + your original purchase fee refunded, that they can then re-purchase their dog? This makes perfect sense to me. If I am not understanding what you said, please let me know that also. I would NOT simply give the dog back to the original owners, after spending lots of money on the dog! It certainly is NOT extortion by asking them to pay the Vet bills! That is ridiculous! Here's why? Suppose you sell someone your home, they take possession of it and you receive money for it. 5 yrs. go by and you want to move back to the area and you loved that home SO MUCH that you just HAVE to have it back! Do you think the new owner is just going to ask you to pay the same amount THEY PAID to purchase it from you? NOOOOO! This sort of thing happens all the time. The original owners are going to have to purchase this home at the current market price PLUS whatever else the present owners think they want for it due to putting in new kitchen, new appliances, trees, landscaping, a new addition for a 4th bedroom! They've IMPROVED your old home and if you want it back, you're going to have to pay for the increased value of it, just like buying another home. The only difference is that you want THAT home back!
Same with the dog! There is NOTHING which gives the previous owner the right to get the dog back, just because they change their mind. Unless you and the previous owner have an agreement that they can get it back within 60-90 or 100 days "if they change their minds," then they will have to pay you WHATEVER YOU WANT for the dog. It doesn't matter why your price has gone up, whether its because you paid VET bills or maybe you just found out that you love dogs and don't want to sell it back, so if they want it they're going to have to pay you BIG money! Same thing. It's NOT extortion. You're not refusing to return "their dog." You're refusing to SELL BACK their old dog, for more money. I hope that helps?
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