Ownership

If your name does not appear on the registration, you will be hard pressed to prove he is yours exclusively.  Sorry

Golden Tails

Long story short, my 5 yr old golden retriever who was given to me over a year ago was taken away by the same people who gave him to me due to a family altercation. Unfortionaly there was no contract and we did not get him microchiped. We do however have his current rabies recipt. and he has been to a local vet a couple of times and he is under my name. The people who took him back have their names on his AKC pedigree.

They are not good for him. Is there any other way I can prove I own my baby boy?

ANY advice is extreamly appreciated!

Thank you.

If the dog was given to you to look after for a year for them, then I feel that legally they should provide for all of it's care, such as boarding costs, feeding costs plus all veterinary costs, and which collectively can add up to be quite substantial for over a year.
 
If the dog was given to you as a gift to keep, then I feel the dog is legally yours to keep, and if they enter your property and take the dog without your permission then that is theft and where theft can be reported to the Police.
 
Keep in mind I maybe wrong, and if I was you I'd really be seeking professional legal advice.
.

mrv

If your name does not appear on the registration, you will be hard pressed to prove he is yours exclusively.  Sorry

Yeah, I agree.  One of my dogs was "given" to me (long story), but I transfered her AKC and UKC papers into my name once we were sure the new arrangement was better for her. 

mrv

If your name does not appear on the registration, you will be hard pressed to prove he is yours exclusively.  Sorry

Maybe according to the law the name on an AKC pedigree certificate may not prove that a dog is exclusively owned by the name on the certificate. What about the heaps of dogs out there that are not pure bred dogs who certainly do NOT have AKC pedigree certificates, how do their owners prove that their dogs are exclusively theirs.

Courts have consistently upheld ownership documentation via registration papers.  Always have, always will.  An individual is more than welcome to attempt to use vet records, licenses etc. but AKC papers have been up held time and time again.  As to mix breeds, other documentation including things like vet records, micro chips etc would be considered proof of ownership.  It is not much different than a car title.  If you dont transfer the title, the car is not in your name.

Quincy

Maybe according to the law the name on an AKC pedigree certificate may not prove that a dog is exclusively owned by the name on the certificate. What about the heaps of dogs out there that are not pure bred dogs who certainly do NOT have AKC pedigree certificates, how do their owners prove that their dogs are exclusively theirs.

Our rescue mutt has adoption papers with our names and signatures on it. 

So I'm basically screwed? I can't get my baby back? We ot him licenced today...under MY name

Phone around and get several quotes from different Boarding Kennels on how much it costs to board a dog for the time you had the dog, this would include feeding, bathing and grooming costs or any other costs. Also see your vet and they can give you copies of receipts for all vet costs involved during that time. Also anything else involving costs to you, even a list of toys and costs, even did the dog require any training which you or a trainer provided.

With things like the above go seek professional legal advice, and when that person receives a letter from your legal advisor stating money owed they might decide it's better for them to give the dog back to you.

I can't say much without knowing the EXACT circumstances, words, and terminology used when the dog was given up.

You say gave...who gave the dog to you? the owners or a third party? Were they under duress at the time? What exact words were spoken as to his future?

Taken...was he removed from your property without your consent? Because until a court disallows your ownership...your possesion for that length of time without expenses paid (IF that was the case), constitues ownership....and their removing the dog is theft. If you drove or met them someplace and they took the dog that is different.

More facts..IOW the "long story" would be needed for me to say much on my opinion as to who's dog it is...

Golden Tails

So I'm basically screwed? I can't get my baby back? We ot him licenced today...under MY name

If you licensed him AFTER they took him back, you probably are screwed.  You should have licensed him when you first got him, and you would not be in this mess.  Many jurisdictions recognize the license as proof of ownership. 

Unfortionatly is was AFTER, We had already planned to get him licenced on that day.

I spoke with an animal control officer in my city and she said that after me having him for 30 days he was legally mine!!! It has already been 4-5 days since they took him. I don't want to give them those 30 days back.

So it looks as it I will go through with this legally, fortionatly it won't go to cort but UNfortionatly it will worsen my realtionship with my family.

Golden Tails

I spoke with an animal control officer in my city and she said that after me having him for 30 days he was legally mine!!!

So it looks as it I will go through with this legally, fortionatly it won't go to cort but UNfortionatly it will worsen my realtionship with my family.

I feel the ACOs comment regarding ownership maybe in regards to the dog relative only to local dog ordinances. This in a similar light as AKC comments regarding ownership maybe in regards to the dog relative only to registration and pedigrees matters pertaining to the AKC. 

To go through with this legally you may have to be prepared to go to court, for at anytime the other party knows that your not prepared to go to court then they will simply just ignore whatever you do.

As I suggested previously - Phone around and get several quotes from different Boarding Kennels on how much it costs to board a dog for the time you had the dog, this would include feeding, bathing and grooming costs or any other costs. Also see your vet and they can give you copies of receipts for all vet costs involved during that time. Also anything else involving costs to you, even a list of toys and costs, even did the dog require any training which you or a trainer provided.

With things like the above go seek professional legal advice, and when that person receives a letter from your legal advisor stating money owed they might decide it's better for them to give the dog back to you.

BUT keep in mind even regarding the above you may have to be prepared to go to court, so seek seek professional legal advice and they can advise you on what is best for you in trying to get your dog back.