Q: How long before I can claim animal abandonment and keep the dog?
I was asked to watch a dog for someone when they got arrested. With the understanding they would assist with care (food, expenses, ect) They have since been evicted from their home and are still in jail. There has been no contact with anyone about the dog for almost 2 months. How long does it have to be before we can claim abandonment and claim custody of the animal in our care? Since we've had him he's improved greatly, and have had multiple reports from people claiming the former owner abused the dog. (We have no physical proof). His kids came and asked to walk the dog a few months ago, lied and said they'd be right back and kept him locked in a kennel for a week until he was returned to us. If they try to take him again can we claim ownership or would we have to return him?
A: You can’t claim abandonment if you agreed to keep him while the owner was in jail if he is still in jail. However, if you have all the receipts for his food, boarding, care, etc., you can keep him until you are repaid, which will likely never happen. Hence, you still wind up with the dog.
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