Can I Take Legal Action if a Temporary Foster Refuses to Return My Dog and Claims He Died?

Question

My mother and I were moving, and she moved into a smaller place. She thought her Boston Terrier, Meho, would be happier with more room to run and play, so we temporarily rehomed him with a man who lives in the same town.

We immediately realized we had made a mistake and asked the man to bring him back the following morning. We have text messages supporting our side, as well as vet records, pictures, and paperwork proving that the dog belonged to us originally.

The man told us to stop contacting him. However, after I told him I was going to take him to court to get our dog back, he suddenly responded and claimed that my dog was hit by a car and died. He will not tell us where it happened, when it happened, or provide any vet records or proof.

Please help us. I do not know what else to do.

Answer

Regrets do not equal rights. Evidence of PRIOR “parenthood” does not negate the rehoming of an animal. It is unclear what you meant by temporarily rehoming the dog. People who rehome their animal generally have no further rights to that animal. People who place their animal for temporary foster care or boarding generally retain rights to that animal.

People who believe that their animal is being wrongfully withheld can sue to try to get the animal returned. Evidence that the dog is still alive may be discovered.

I hope that everyone involved considers the best interests of this dog who should have a loving home.