Florida law: Given a dog, now owner (neighbor) wants it back!

[tatta]

florida -- neighbor was abusing a little dog and was also threatening to kill herself for over a week/boyfriend problem and said she hated the dog, wasn't feeding or watering/not getting out of cage and i said do you want me to watch the dog for you as she had called me to come over. she said no. i don't want the dog. you can have her. i don't want her ever! she proceeded to take the dog out of the cage walked outside-stood in middle od driveway and threw the dog like a football=3-4lb.dog! i took cage, and dog, separate trips to my house, fifth day-got tags and collar. animal control was called after she called on sixth day saying she wanted dog back-boyfriend might come back! i said no you gave it to me. she called fla. sherrif and said the dog was stolen! i was in my truck, pulling out of driveway and police officer came to driver door and yelled get out get out, i did and was told i was being arrested for stealing the dog! officer would not listen to me at all! yelling saying turn around i am going to cuff you! officer took the dog away and i was not arrested after all the threatts of arrest. what to do about abusive officer(parts left out), and false report, and return of dog to me? animal control said they would not follow up since cruelty not reported the day the lady gave me the dog! no report because she gave me the dog to keep! any legal recourse for all that happened? officer wanted me to carry--70lb.cage with dog in it to her house! it was scooted8down driveway as not able! i am over 65yr.old, female and 5'4! this was a tall officer-good size! heart ,high blood conditions and ms muscle disease weak muscles so severe muscle spasms after shoving cage about 50ft. down driveway! thank you dianna

[AFFA]

I wish to inform you that you will first require evidence that dog was given to you. You may therefore collect evidence from persons who knew about the fact that dog was given to you. After you have evidence then you may go to court and obtain your court order regarding dog ownership. In court you can claim ownership over dog. After court has passed ownership order then you can have the dog from other lady as you are owner of dog.

AFF

[Friend In Court]

Originally Posted by tatta florida -- neighbor was abusing a little dog and was also threatening to kill herself for over a week/boyfriend problem and said she hated the dog, wasn't feeding or watering/not getting out of cage and i said do you want me to watch the dog for you as she had called me to come over. she said no. i don't want the dog. you can have her. i don't want her ever! she proceeded to take the dog out of the cage walked outside-stood in middle od driveway and threw the dog like a football=3-4lb.dog! i took cage, and dog, separate trips to my house, fifth day-got tags and collar. animal control was called after she called on sixth day saying she wanted dog back-boyfriend might come back! i said no you gave it to me. she called fla. sherrif and said the dog was stolen! i was in my truck, pulling out of driveway and police officer came to driver door and yelled get out get out, i did and was told i was being arrested for stealing the dog! officer would not listen to me at all! yelling saying turn around i am going to cuff you! officer took the dog away and i was not arrested after all the threatts of arrest. what to do about abusive officer(parts left out), and false report, and return of dog to me? animal control said they would not follow up since cruelty not reported the day the lady gave me the dog! no report because she gave me the dog to keep! any legal recourse for all that happened? officer wanted me to carry--70lb.cage with dog in it to her house! it was scooted8down driveway as not able! i am over 65yr.old, female and 5'4! this was a tall officer-good size! heart ,high blood conditions and ms muscle disease weak muscles so severe muscle spasms after shoving cage about 50ft. down driveway! thank you dianna

I would file a written report with Animal Control so they have it on file. Without a bill of sale or other written proof that she gave you the dog, you are out in left field. That way they will have it on file and just may check out the welfare of her dog when in the neighborhood. Should anyone file a second report, they will have yours on file. Any pictures you have should also be sent along.

I would also file a sworn written report with the Police Department, sending it to the commanding officer -- the officer's sergeant if applicale. That is the proper person to lodge a complaint about officer's conduct. In the field, the officers are the law. If they dispense it improperly or conduct themselves in a rude or improper way, their commanding officer needs to know.