What are my rights to keep a dog that I feel will be abused by its owner?
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What are my rights to keep a dog that I feel will be abused by its owner?
My brother is a recovering drug addict. I have been caring for his dog for 2.5 months. The dog was neglected, very skinny, her nails so long the were growing into her paw pads. He was not able to care for her. He completed rehab and now wants her back. I think it’s too soon and he is still unwell and I do not want to put the dog’s life in danger. He is living with my parents and they continue to enable him. He has no job, no work record, no income and no residence. I have properly vetted the dog, including dental cleaning, enrolled her in obedience training and have had a trainer over to the house to help ease her transition into my pack. I have also licensed her. Do I have any legal recourse to protect her?
Asked on August 10, 2014 under Criminal Law, Georgia
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
No, you do not have any right to the dog. The dog is his property, the same as his car, his TV, his couch, etc.; you do not have any right to keep another person's property, even if you were kind enough to do him a favor and watch or take care of it for 2 - 3 months.
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