Not So Human

[Teresune]

Alright, here's the deal. I have a Siberian Husky dog, two years old about now and she means the world to me. Except there's a problem: My Ex.

When we first broke up, she took the dog with her for the next eight months. And I can prove that she was not taking care of her since she was underfed, locked in a crate most of the time, and not much attention was given to her.

Sometime in the early days of March, my ex verbally gave me back the dog because she could not support her and was "supposedly" going off to college somewhere far away.

So up to the present she's been with me. She has a great home to live in, a big backyard, the best food, the works.

I've caught wind of a hint that my ex may be wanting to take the dog back. So...I really don't know what to do.

I've saved resciepts of the food I buy her for a couple months now, I've had her animal number and her tag changed so that if she gets lost that she is returned to me...and the rest is a blank.

I know this isn't human-family related, but my dog...I really love my dog. And if my ex tried to take her back I don't know what I'd do.

So please anyone, help me and my situation.

[tbyte]

Who purchased the dog?
Is the dog kept outdoors, or primarily indoors?

[Teresune]

Well, I did not have a bank account at the time but my ex did. We wrote the lady a check and we did get a receipt, but not sure if she has that receipt. I believe that I still have it though, 50/50 chance that it still may be in my storage filed. It WAS my money though, just through her bank account. And I'm on the vet records as well.

And my dog is mostly an indoor dog, but we take her outside when we arn't home since she'll tear up the place, to play fetch and get her to run around since she's still quite energetic.

[tbyte]

If you care enough about it, stick to your guns and don't let her take the dog.
Go down to your city hall and get the dog licensed under your name.

[Teresune]

Register at City Hall? Not to sound stupid here, but I had no idea that they do that there.

[tbyte]

Pets can be "licensed". I assume this is handled at City Hall, but if not then they could tell you where you would need to go.

Okay so here's the deal once again. My ex was the "Primary" one that filled out the vet papers about our puppy, and I'm listed as a secondary. I just got her rabies shots to get her registered by the pound and because she was the primary it's under her name.

On top of that she wants the pup back now. Any more help suggestions?
Anyone please. I really don't want to loose my puppy!

[tbyte]

The dog would be considered property.
Your ex would need to file a claim in court to try to recover it.
I wish I knew more about this area of law, but I do not.

Thanks for that though cause it does help. Thankfully my name is still on the vet records and she okay'ed the rabies. So we got a copy of her vet records that listed myname on there and we just went to register her under my name! Who new! And to be honest I wouldn't have learned of registering her through the county and such without your advice, so seriously thank you dude.

[Teresune]

Okay, it's starting to look like I'm gaining the upper hand in this whole situation. I have my puppy registered in my name, I have vet records that show and prove that I have co-ownership on her with my ex, and I have many food receipts and witnesses that can state that my ex hasn't come up to see the dog too for 11 months.

Since I know that she's not going to give up trying to get the pup that she "loves dearly" I've decided to sue her because she definitely won't take her name off the vet records, which is going to make it difficult.

I'm going to talk to her today and make my demand...but I don't know whether I should tell her that I'm going to sue her if she doesn't agree to my terms, or if I should tell her anything at all! I don't believe that I should tell her anything on my part and just keep her in the dark for now. It could buy me some time to gather up all the evidence that I may or may not need.

Any suggestions, comments or concerns that could be helpful?