Can I Get My Dog Back After Someone Surrendered Her to a Rescue Without My Permission?

Question

I need assistance getting my dog back from a rescue organization that placed her into foster care. My dog was originally a stray that I took in and cared for. While I was unexpectedly delayed and stuck out of town trying to return to retrieve my dog and my belongings, someone took my dog without my permission and surrendered her to an animal shelter. He had many opportunities and ways to contact me and let me know what he planned to do, but he never informed me.

When I finally demanded that he tell me where he had taken my dog, he refused for several weeks and even months before finally admitting where she had been surrendered. I immediately went to the shelter, but they told me that someone had already taken my dog into foster care. They refused to tell me who had her, where she was located, or help me get her back. The person who surrendered her had no right or permission to do so because the dog belonged to me, not him. I have been devastated over this situation and have been trying to find her ever since 2017.

Answer

The police may have investigated when the dog was allegedly stolen nine years ago if a report was made at that time, although the police do not typically intervene in animal custody disputes. A civil lawsuit could also have been commenced to try to get the dog returned. You indicated that this was a stray dog making your rights questionable as well. I cannot predict the outcome of any given case but given that the dog has not been in your possession for nine years, it is probably very unlikely that you will get the dog returned. Hopefully, the dog has acclimated to her new home. It’s been nine years!