So, I recently purchased a dog from a breeder with a check. My girlfriend was staying with me at the time and we just recently broke up. My name is on the sales contract, but after we broke up she took the dog and refuses to get it back. She put a little tag with her name on it on the collar but hasn't gotten it microchipped. She is taking it to the vet and will be getting a bill in her name and I don't know what to do. I don't want her having paperwork claiming that this dog is hers. Is there anything I can do? I want the dog back.

I have the sales contract. Should I call her and let her know that if she doesn't give the dog back then I'm going to call the police and file a report? Or should I skip that and do it? I want to do everything the right way so that I can get the dog back.

... she took the dog and refuses to get it back.... Should I call her and let her know that if she doesn't give the dog back then I'm going to call the police and file a report? Or should I skip that and go ahead and do it? I want to do everything the right way so that I can get the dog back.

You asked her nicely. She refused. Call the cops.

Will they be able to get it back for me? I want to do this in the best way possible. I've been told that all she would have to do is deny having the dog and I'd be screwed. Should I wait until she has a vet bill so there is proof that she had the dog in her possession?

EDIT: Also, I know what vet the dog is being taken to right now. She told me that the dog was having seizures and so she told me the vet that she is taking it to but told me not to go. I don't want to cause a scene at the vet's office. She has people with her and things would be escalated. What should I do?

You think she will hide the dog?

Why not have the police arrange with the vet that, when she brings the dog in, the vet calls the cops, and the cops come and get the dog?

I'll have to see if the dog has already been released or not. I just didn't know if the police would go and do that without me having provided proof yet. I have the sales contract, but would the police go and grab a dog before I've offered that?

EDIT: And, yes, I think she will hide the dog before she lets me have it back. She has already told me she'll fight me if I try to take the dog back.

You have documentation that the dog is yours. She has no proof that you gave it to her. Let the cops straighten it out.

I'll check with the vet.

In case she is already gone, should I still go straight to the police or can they not do anything if she hides the dog? I want the dog back and I don't want to risk her hiding it.

I'll check with the vet.

In case she is already gone, should I still go straight to the police or can they not do anything if she hides the dog? I want the dog back and I don't want to risk her hiding it.

I don't really claim to be a law enforcement expert. My guess is that they won't put the resources on this, that they would put on finding a serial murderer for instance.

I don't really claim to be a law enforcement expert. My guess is that they won't put the resources on this, that they would put on finding a serial murderer for instance.


Yes, this is true. You aren't a law enforcement expert.

A dog is property. If someone stole one of your chairs the Police would put the same effort into finding it that they would put into finding this dog. The Police are NOT going to do anything in anticipation of what the OP's ex-girlfriend (or whatever the relationship is) MIGHT do.

If the purchase papers are in OP's name, then the OP needs to go to Small Claims Court and demand the return of the dog.

This is a CIVIL matter; not a CRIMINAL matter. There's a bunch of "my girlfriend says" and nothing else. The Police will tell OP that.

OP needs to file in Small Claims Court for the return of the dog. HOWEVER, some Small Claims Courts can ONLY award a dollar Judgment, cannot order the return of the dog.