Found injured dog, legal to keep him?

[Faith_Undone]

On my way home one day, I saw three dogs running loose. None had ID, and one was holding one leg up to get around. I ended up picking up the one that was injured. It was a puppy, about 11 weeks, with a broken leg, underweight, tape worms, fleas, an intestinal infection and an upper respiratory infection. I took him to the vet, got the leg set, two sets of antibiotics, puppy shots, pill for the tape worms and got supplies to take care of him with. I have an older dog, but stocked up on puppy food, his own bowls, etc. The vet had asked if I was going to keep the puppy ( found out later they have adopted and re-homed dogs and cats found like that). I assumed it was legal to keep the puppy. I told them there was no way I was going to dump him back where I found him.

The puppy is doing great, went from a large splint to a small brace, has filled out wonderfully and is in great health. I take him to the vet regularly, and we go shopping at one of those pet stores where dogs can come along. He is an adorable pom mix, and gets attention like crazy when we are out, partly because of the leg brace ( "awwwwwww poor puppy, what happened?" is the norm for us). I tell people the truth, that I found him in awful health and a broken leg.

Well, today a lady asked about him, and I told her. She then said her friend had "lost" a dog that looked just like my dog a few weeks ago. Since those three dogs were all running loose without tags, they aren't what I would consider lost, they seemed to be strays, with no ID and lack of care. I heard from Animal Control that they found a pom who looked like the one I found, in the same area of this small town I live in. That one has been adopted out.

Is it illegal for me to keep the puppy? I never made an attempt to return a dog that was running loose and in such poor shape to the same conditions it was in. I must admit, it never dawned on me to advertise that I had this puppy. He has become a part of our family.

If this lady or her friend see me out, and they call the police, can I get in trouble? Can I be forced to return the dog? Be arrested since the dog was not bought by me, or given to me for free? I am not a babysitting service who pays to fix other people's dogs. I kept the dog because I fell in love with him. He needed care. He spent 5 weeks in a large splint, and now is on his 4 weeks with a smaller brace on his broken leg. But even putting him back out with the splint and hoping he had a home to go back to was not an option. Had the broken leg been his only issue, I might have tried to find his home if he had one. But he was half starved, worms, infections. Who would most likely get the dog and could I get into legal problems for having him? I hate to never take him to the pet store, and the next closest one is miles and miles away. I want to keep him. My daughter and I love him very much.

Thanks for any help. I would love an answer from a Texas lawyer or someone who works with rescue dogs and knows the legal ins and outs of this. Also helpful if you have been in this position. By the way, I did not get him off private property, he was crossing the street, crossed in front of me, and I went around the block and picked him up a block from where he crossed in front of my truck.

Well normally you have to give it back if it was lost and you found it.

But given the condition and the funds you spent, you may prevail if the issue went to court. So you could tell them you are attached to the dog, saved him, and will not release him. Unless ordered to do so.

good for you!!!!!!! i would have done the same thing. and actually i am currently being sued over a similar situation..I will never give up the dog even if it means going to jail becasue i found out that the people who had my dog were horrible people who just let the dog roam around aimlessly......

considering all the money you've spent and time and effort it is completely doubtful you will ever end up in jail, or even having to give him up. but if i were you even if they sued you i would make him disappear for awhile and not give up the dog.

[lilies34]

wow! that was so kind of you! congratulations! not a lot of people do kinds things like that anymore, especially to animals.

[Brittany1130]

I can only agree with lilies34, there should be more people around acting like you. Congratulations!

I once found a dog, similar situation, no collar, worms, fleas, underweight, and apparently shy of people, I assumed abuse, and took it to the vet - got a leg repaired from damage due to a car accident, and paid the bill, and was looking to rehome the dog, which had a lovely nature.

A few weeks later, someone spotted me out with the dog, and they put the owners in touch with me, who were out of their minds with worry and cried when they saw their dog in a splint. They'd lost her off the back of their truck when they stopped in our town (she slipped her collar), and hadn't been able to stay in the area to look, as they had children.

They paid the vet bills, they were incredibly grateful, and it just reminded me that things aren't always what they seem. The injuries to a dog can easily happen when it leaves the protective shelter of the people that love it, and in rapid time.

I imagine your situation is a little different, but my dog is currently missing from a fully fenced property, needs medication and is quite elderly - he could be found, if he's lost his collar (he was wearing his reg tag and my details, but STILL hasn't been found) and may be in a terrible condition when he is - I just hope they don't assume his previous owner dumped or abused him, because I would give anything to have my best friend back again where I can take care of him in his old age.

I guess you have to weight it up - do your best to find the owner, including ads, calling shelters, leaving posters up - because you just don't know the situation. Then if you have to hand it back, and you're dubious, get the person's details to mail them a reward and go check on the dog - if things aren't right, call in animal welfare or the SPCA.

Losing your pal sucks. We have to do everything we can to reunite a pup with it's 'owner' - until we know for sure that the dog needs a new home. :-)

Sorry, I don't mean 'reward' in that previous post, but you know, to post them SOMETHING. To follow up somehow. :-)