Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Virginia
Family Pet
The owner of our family pet moved into an apartment. We were ''given'' then dog, yet the original owner still has the papers. What legal right do we have to this dog? We are afraid to give up the dog because we know that all she wants him for is to sell him.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Family Pet
If you're concerned about your growing
attachment to this dog and the possibility that his true owner may come and take him away, better to confront this possible reality sooner rather than later, and contact the rightful owner to determine whether this person now wants his or her dog returned. If not, then tell the owner that you'll be glad to keep him and to forward the papers to you as the new owner. If the owner wants the animal back, then simply arrange for it to happen.
Another option would be to just hang onto the dog and treat him as if he was yours and, then, perhaps, one day, he truly will be (assuming no real owner appears to claim him).
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