Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

He told us ''Just keep the dog''. Can he change his mind?

My sister and her husband found a dog stranded on a busy intersection and rescued it. They brought it to my house and we called the SPCA and the local newspaper to place a ''Found'' ad to hopefully locate to owner. The following night while playing catch I noticed the dog had a cough and since I had other animals and did not want to risk them getting ill if she was ill I took her to the vet. (Cost $45)

The next day the owner calls and I inform him that we possibly have his dog and that we took her to the vet. He went balistic and started calling me stupid for taking his dog and that he wasn't going to pay the vet fee..and that my intention was to keep the dog. He told me to keep the dog. This upset me. My mother then called him and told him the vet fee was not a concern him and he could have the dog back...he said he did not want the dog...we were stupid for taking it to the vet..it was not sick and our intentions were to keep the dog so we might as well just have it and he hung up. I am afraid he will turn it around and say we refused to give him back the dog. What should we do? We tried two times!!


Asked on 1/30/03, 9:57 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Alvin Tenner Law Office of Alvin G. Tenner

Re: He told us ''Just keep the dog''. Can he change his mind?

If you have the address of this person, send him a letter advising that you do no wish to keep the dog or have him pay the vet bill. Then wait and hope for the best.

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Answered on 2/03/03, 4:27 pm
Benjamin Berger Berger-Harrison, A Professional Corporation

Re: He told us ''Just keep the dog''. Can he change his mind?

From what you've written, you should have nothing to worry about. However, because there are lunatics out there (and it sounds like you've found one), you might want to make some notes of the dates and times these conversations took place. Have your mother do the same. Also, keep record of the date you placed the ad and keep a copy of the paper in which it ran. Those things will help if that wacko tries to institute any legal action against you.

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Answered on 1/31/03, 1:28 pm


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