So, if your dog gets severely injured, and needs ER treatment....

[Coventina]

but when the vet contacts you about it, and you tell them it isn't your dog, and refuse to authorize treatment.....
wouldn't you assume at that point that you have ceded ownership of said dog?

I hate humans most of the time, but I'm especially down on them at the moment......

[pnwmom]

1. Of course I wouldn't do that but, yes, I would think such a person had

ceded ownership.

Poor doggie.

[Coventina]

2. I'm sure nobody on DU would do that.

We're a compassionate bunch here, aside from the occasional troll....

Thanks for the sympathy for the poor dog in question.

Now the "owner" is demanding her back. Ha!!! Not going to happen....

[jberryhill]

3. Is there a story behind this post?

Ceded ownership to whom?

[Coventina]

4. Yes. A horrible, horrible story.

Suffice it to say, the injured dog did receive treatment, and has been placed with a reputable rescue.
But, now the "owner" wants her back!!!

[Vermin Supreme]

5. Did the owner sign the surrender paperwork?

She has no case.

[icymist]

9. Are you really Vermin Supreme?

What is Rubba? And why is it important?

[Vermin Supreme]

10. No, not the real thing, but a fan though.

I would happily relinquish the name if he so desires to contact me.

[marble falls]

25. We're all the real Vermin Supreme: one manifestation, one vote, now!! Or a little later.

[Coventina]

11. No, it was over the phone.

The vet contacted the owner and the owner said the dog wasn't his and refused to authorize treatment.

[Warpy]

6. Is the owner capable of paying the bills?

Sad to say, the owner's story might be just as horrible as the dog's story.

[Coventina]

12. No, just spite. He has a large inheritance.

[jberryhill]

17. Is the story posted on DU somewhere?

I'm just trying to piece together whatever you are talking about.

[Coventina]

30. See my post down-thread.

Thanks.....

[Sunlei]

8. Then the Vet would be the 'owner' & can do what they wish with the dog.

That's why most Vets want a cash deposit in advance for serious emergencies.

[Coventina]

13. Thanks for the confirmation.

The dog is much better off going to a reputable rescue than back to that "owner."

[catrose]

14. I won't swear this is true everywhere

But we have to wait 2 weeks for an animal to be officially abandoned at a vet's before we can admit it to our rescue. I'm not sure if the owner's denying it would make a difference. We've always waited the two weeks. (And the awesome vets treat the animals anyway. Some humans are OK.)

[SusanCalvin]

15. This reminds me

Of something that happened to me years ago.

A dog was hit by a car in front of our house. It had ID, but not enough for immediate contact.

We called our vet's office for an emergency visit, and were asked if the DOG was an existing patient. We said no, but we are existing customers, with two dogs and a cat of our own, who are existing patients.

The IDIOTS turned us down, and lost a customer and three existing patients.

And then (I am in tears at the memory), we had to take it to an emergency clinic where it could only be kept, we hoped, comfortable.

In the morning we were able to contact the owner through their vet, and thought everything was copacetic.

THEY HAD IT EUTHANIZED, we found out later. It had a broken hip. Surgery would have fixed it. We would have paid. We would have taken the dog.

God I miss that dog. I can still see it.

[Mariana]

22. There's nothing wrong with euthanizing an injured animal.

Surgery and rehabilitation are painful, and some people just don't want their animals to experience that.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

26. That's why we put Grandma down when she broke her hip.

Surgery and rehabilitation would have been painful, and we didn't want her to experience that, even if she would have lived many more years after.

[SusanCalvin]

28. This was a young dog.

And the people at the emergency clinic said they thought it was worth fixing, to the dog. They just didn't have the facilities and/or staff to do it in the middle of the night.

(I should have added that information during my many edits - I wasn't really prepared to tell what was a pretty traumatic story, to me.)

I should have also added that when we inquired about the dog at the owners's vet (we had not met the owners - had taken the dog to their vet when vet confirmed owners' and dog's identity the next morning), they told us straight up the euthanasia was because the owners did not want to spend the money for the surgery. Not "couldn't" - "did not want."

Our mistake was assuming other people would do what we'd do. In hindsight, we should have told the owners' vet that if money was an issue we'd pay and/or take the dog.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

45. I was being sarcastic to the person above

pointing out that we don't treat other people that way, and to a lot of us, our animal companions rate right up there as 'people'.

[SusanCalvin]

46. Oh, I got that, eventually.

See #35.

[SusanCalvin]

35. Oh dearie dear...

I present as evidence of how upset I was last night that I neglected to reply...

[SusanCalvin]

29. I didn't tell the full story; please see above. nt

[Coventina]

31. I'm so sorry that happened to you (and the poor dog!)

I would be really traumatized over that as well.

Thanks for your kind heart and support.

[SusanCalvin]

34. Thank you. I sure appreciate your kind words.

I hadn't thought about it in years (it was over three decades ago), but (obviously!) it popped right back up last night.

[SusanCalvin]

16. I finally calmed down enough to figure out what you were saying/asking

(It reminded me of a very traumatic experience, above.)

Yes, what a jerk. I hope it comes out all right for the poor dog.

[Beaverhausen]

18. What is this about?

Could someone please post a link or something??

[SusanCalvin]

19. Apparently a dog

That was hurt, identified, and its "owner" disowned it because he was a cheap, heartless jerk. I think.

[Beaverhausen]

20. Thanks but that much I surmised.

There clearly is more to this.

[SusanCalvin]

21. Oookaaaaaay...

How, exactly do you suspect there is more? (Since you asked and since I am somewhat interested.)

[jberryhill]

24. I believe Beaverhausen is having the same problem I am

If you understand this story, perhaps you could tell it from the beginning.

I gather that a dog was injured, and was taken for emergency treatment by someone other than the owner. The owner was contacted, and denied ownership of the dog, perhaps to avoid paying the bill. Apparently the dog was treated for the injury anyway, either before or after the owner was contacted. From that point, it's not clear what happened.

Is that it? The "I think" in your re-telling suggests that a linear account of the facts is not entirely clear to you either.

[Coventina]

27. Here is the story. Sorry, I was so upset last night I couldn't calm myself to type it out.

Here's the story, without giving too much detail, as there are lawyers involved now and I don't want to add to the problem:

"Owner" left his dog with his roommate when he moved out, with a promise to get the dog at some time in the future. Roommate was left with no info on the "owner's" whereabouts with only an email and a phone # for contact info.

After "owner" left, his dog, for whatever reason (abandonment issues? change in pack dynamic?) began attacking the roommate's dog. Roommate repeatedly emailed, texted, phoned "owner" that the dog was causing a problem and a dangerous situation and needed to be claimed by "owner." "Owner" never responded.

Finally, a bad dogfight erupted between the two dogs, necessitating an emergency trip to the vet. Roommate genuinely cares for "owner's" dog, but has no money to pay for the emergency medical treatment needed. Gives the vet the "owner's" phone number. When vet talks to "owner", "owner" disavows ownership of the dog, and refuses to pay for emergency treatment.

Roommate then says will take responsibility, but can only pay $100 down, and $50 a month thereafter. Vet agrees and treats the dog. After the dog has recovered enough to go home, roommate places the dog with a rescue, as it is obvious that the two dogs can no longer get along.

Now, "owner" has sent threatening letter via lawyer to roommate, demanding to know where dog has been placed. Out of concern for dog, roommate is refusing to divulge that information.

[SusanCalvin]

32. As I though, a real jerk.

Thank you for dealing with it and so sorry you have to.

[Coventina]

33. Thanks.

[jberryhill]

36. Are any of these people DU members?

This story sounds vaguely familiar.

1. What communications, if any, transpired between "owner" and roommate after the dog was treated and before the dog was placed with the rescue organization? Did roommate communicate to "owner" his intent to no longer keep the dog as agreed?

2. How long has "owner" been gone?

[Coventina]

37. I don't think so.

The "owner" has been gone for 4 months, now.

Roommate began attempting to contact the "owner" as soon as the dogs began fighting, which was several weeks ago.
The day of the emergency, the roommate attempted repeatedly to contact the "owner", but the "owner" never responded, until the vet contacted him.

[steve2470]

38. that occurred to me too

I think this is a new story, different from the saga that unfolded in GD several times.

[Coventina]

39. This is something that just happened, so I don't think is at all connected to any previous threads.

I am unaware of anyone else posting about it, anyway.

Sadly, it doesn't surprise me that similar situations have happened in the past.

So many people treat animals as disposable.

[LeftyMom]

23. The answer, as always is likely "it depends on your state"

The unfortunate truth is that in most states animals' legal status is that of property, so the answer may not be what you hope.

It's also highly unlikely that a verbal relinquishment of the animal is binding. But again, it totally depends on state law, the specifics of the conversation (and whether any of it can be documented or otherwise verified,) whether the judge had a satisfying breakfast, whether the third moon of Jupiter is in Virgo on your Mother's birthday, etc.

Unless 'oops, your dog took a turn and was cremated at our expense before you arrived. So sad. We saved his collar for you' and the dog goes off to rescue, ideally out of the immediate area. Which would be naughty and is technically illegal but really even if you get caught you're only on the hook for the replacement cost of the dog, because the law is bullshit and dogs are property.

Note: Not a lawyer. Crazy animal person. Advice is for amusement purposes only.

[Coventina]

42. I find your ideas intriguing and would like to subscribe to your newsletter!

Wish the roommate and vet had thought of that at the time, but all parties concerned will know better if ever in a similar situation!!

[jberryhill]

43. Sounds like an intentional abandonment

And, in some states, the vet gets a lien on the dog.

[samplegirl]

40. I have a wonderful caring vet.....

she has offered her services to any pet in need including surgery!

[Coventina]

41. kicking 'cuz I'm still angry.....

[SusanCalvin]

44. Me too! nt