A Dog Situation

IzZzy said:
All dogs tagged and chipped, so unless my dogs were stolen or the people who took them were mean, this wouldn't have happened.
Click to expand...

I agree but that "what if" did not imply that it is going to happen, but rather to create a hypothetical situation where it does.

If he can prove the dog is his then I would return it, but I would make him pay for any monies I have spent first and perhaps make an offer on the animal.
 
Necropolis said:
The problem with doing this is it breeds further behaviour of this type - you'll get more and more people "losing" animals then asking for a few hundred rand when they locate them at someones else's property a few weeks down the line.
Click to expand...

Definitely - he would absolutely need to prove it was his. A neighbours testimonial or he should have at least one picture of it as a puppy.. (although tricky if no markings)
 
IzZzy said:
This afternoon, when the parlour came to wash the dogs, a guy happened to drive past and stopped. My fiance's sister was home at the time. He told her that the dog was his dog, and left his number. Apparently he was away at the time. He stays a few houses away from us.
Click to expand...
Tough one, you need to hear what he has to say about the situation.

TBH it doesn't sound as if he's very attached to the dog if it's been seven weeks and he only spotted his dog by chance given that he lives in such close proximity. I'd be beside myself if any of my three went missing without a trace (btw, all mine were chipped on their first vet visit, goes with being a responsible dog owner).
 
I would only return the dog if the owner can provide vet details about shots/deworming and proof of purchase. Otherwise anyone can rock up at your place and say that this is their dog. Chances are that the dog will be worse off and not as well looked after as currently. 7 weeks is damn long.
 
My primary concern is that the dog has a great upbringing and life and whilst it will suck for me or the old owner, that's fine as long as the dog is looked after. The guy did properly feed him, and wasn't malnourished so I am happy with that.

My approach tonight is going to be as follows:

(1) Verify that the dog was his. Photos / vet bill etc will suffice (he has pretty distinctive markings). [Magic's suggestion re: proper record of vaccinations is key, thanks!]
(2) Ask him for his story of what happened.
(3) Ask him why the dog was not tagged or chipped.
(4) Ask him what he did during those seven weeks to find him.
(5) Ask him if he is attached to the dog.

If any of the responses to the above are negetive, I am keeping him. Once he has passed this stage, I will explain what I did to find him, to home him and the costs involved.

He can choose whether to pay me for the costs (R600 for vet costs, R200 for food/lodging, R100 for collar and R800 for his bed/bowl) or we can call it even and I keep the dog. Hell I might even chuck in R500 his way to keep him.

The choice will be his.

However, last test will be if the dog responds to his call. No response, sorry for you the dog has moved on.
 
Last edited:
If you want to go that route then maybe contact the pitbull rescue organisation and ask them to do a home check as well.

I'm sure they'd be happy to help.
 
Who leaves their dog unattended for, for 7 weeks?

Anyways, sounds like you have a plan of action, which is more than fair.
 
However, last test will be if the dog responds to his call. No response, sorry for you the dog has moved on.
Click to expand...
:) This I like, the dog should also have a say about whom he wants to be with.
 
Tinuva said:
Who leaves their dog unattended for, for 7 weeks?
Click to expand...

I dont think that is what happened. The guy was away when the dog was lost, not sure if he was away for the entire time the dog was in Izzzys care.
 
ghoti said:
I dont think that is what happened. The guy was away when the dog was lost, not sure if he was away for the entire time the dog was in Izzzys care.
Click to expand...

Even so - who was looking after the dog then?

Did they not notice it missing? Did they not attempt to locate it at all?
 
Necropolis said:
Even so - who was looking after the dog then?

Did they not notice it missing? Did they not attempt to locate it at all?
Click to expand...

Don't know more other than he was away at the time when I found the dog. As part of one of the steps, I am going to ask what he did when he realised he was missing. If there is no satisfactory answer, I will not release the dog back into his care.
 
Necropolis said:
Even so - who was looking after the dog then?
Click to expand...
I dont know, Im guessing someone who doesnt close gates well.

Did they not notice it missing?
Click to expand...
Im sure they did. Its really hard not to notice a dog missing.

Did they not attempt to locate it at all?
Click to expand...
Probally, most people would look for the dog. If the previous owner did not care about the dog he would not have stopped to try claim it again.

Also, I woudlnt think of phoning the vet to look for my dog. First number I would call is the SPCA. Thats why in the past when we have come across someone else's animal I always phone the SPCA to let them know I found the animal.
 
With a lost pet - local Vets and the SPCA are the best places to contact first.
 
ghoti said:
Also, I woudlnt think of phoning the vet to look for my dog. First number I would call is the SPCA. Thats why in the past when we have come across someone else's animal I always phone the SPCA to let them know I found the animal.
Click to expand...

For pitties, it is standard practice to take a lost one to the vet and to know that you can't take a pittie to the SPCA. They do not wait seven days and euthanise pitties immediately. At least that is what a pittie rescue organisation told me.
 
IzZzy said:
For pitties, it is standard practice to take a lost one to the vet and to know that you can't take a pittie to the SPCA. They do not wait seven days and euthanise pitties immediately. At least that is what a pittie rescue organisation told me.
Click to expand...
I dont take the lost animals to the SPCA, I just alert the SPCA as thats the first place people call. Never heard of vets looking after last animals, will remember to call them as well in the future if people are doing this.
 
Oh and aside from the SPCA and Vets there are breed specific rescue organisations for most breeds - get hold of them to get the word out as well.
 
One of our friends' dogs (10 month old Labrador puppy) escaped when their tenant left a gate open.
They basically paccarded the entire Bellville, asked all their friends to drive around and look for the dog, contacted rescue organisations as far as 50km away and basically did everything in their power to find their dog.

I find it REALLY dodgy that this guy didn't seem to care.
In principle I'd give the dog back, but I would still check out the dude VERY well, have him produce pictures of the dog AND make him pay for all the expenses you incurred..
 
Your local vet is the best bet. They may not take the animal in, but they will check for a microchip and call the owner. Otherwise they will contact the finder if anyone comes in looking for their animal. Also check: most vets have a lost and found noticeboard.

Yes alert the SPCA but I know for a fact that they are sometimes too busy to give much attention to phone calls. Rather go and check if your dog is there in person... evry day if need be.
 
IzZzy said:
For pitties, it is standard practice to take a lost one to the vet and to know that you can't take a pittie to the SPCA. They do not wait seven days and euthanise pitties immediately. At least that is what a pittie rescue organisation told me.
Click to expand...

I think that happened a few times at the SPCA's and they were absolutely lambasted for it..

I know that the one in my area doesn't do that, any may never have done it (I can't be sure)...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X