Possession is 9/10ths of the law? I found a starving dog that I can count all of the ribs and back bones. With no collar on. I now know where and whom she belongs to/ at. But am going to refuse to give her back if they ask for her back, How much trouble can I get in for this?

I know you care but you should really think about it for a bit, you could have dropped her off at the nearest animal shelter, maybe took her home and fed her and watered her first, but you must distance yourself. Your have a life to live with kids and all, bushy.

I don't think you can get into any trouble, sounds like no one wanted her anyway.

I did call, the Spca was open for only emergencys( Sunday Night), they were supposed to send someone out. But sent them to where I found her instead of where I live. I guess they got pee'd and would not come back out. So I called the police and they called them back anyway I waited up unitl 0300 they did not come. So today I went investigating and found out some stuff about the careless ignornant owners. Now they aren't getting her back if I can help it.

If this dog has value, you can be sued in civil court for the value of the animal, and in some states, you may be cited for possession of stolen property.

While I doubt this would happen, it can,

Legally... it means that they can take you to court for theft, if they find out you have the dog and aren't going to give it back. Of course, if they did that, then you could possibly lay charges against them on animal cruelty. Which means that you better have good documentation of the evidence. Can you prove that they starved the dog, and that the dog did not get loose and starve by accident? They may not ever come asking. They may just get another dog. These are difficult decisions, and you will have to live with yourself after you make it.

I did the same thing with my cat. He had no collar and was so skinny one day he just followed my roommate into the house. We knew who owned him and they never bothered to look for him so we kept him and never felt any guilt.

I say stuff him with treats and give him tons of love. Those people are jerks and probably won't even recognize him once you fatten him up

1st I did not steal her I found her. I even asked around if anyone knew where she belonged. No one did. I just need to know if possession is 9/10th of the law means If I have possession can it be more mine than theirs if they can not prove it is theirs, by papers. etc...

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Originally Posted by bushg

I just need to know if possession is 9/10th of the law means If I have possession can it be more mine

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Hello bushq:

That 9/10th's thing is myth. If it's their dog, it's their dog. That's just the way it is. You may not want to give it back, and you may be justified in doing so. But, you have no basis in law to do it. If they sue you, they'll win.

excon

excon thank you. I guess that big strong dog will break loose to night and leave. After all it got away from them, it could get away from me as well.

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Originally Posted by bushg

Possession is 9/10ths of the law? I found a starving dog that I can count all of the ribs and back bones. With no collar on. I now know where and whom she belongs to/ at. But am going to refuse to give her back if they ask for her back, How much trouble can I get in for this?

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Do you think they even want the dog back? Maybe they abandoned it in which case the dog is yours free and clear.

I always call the tag number on the dogs collar if there is one. Rabies vacs always have the name and phone number to call in case found. Unfortunately, like bushy, finding a dog like that amaciated, what can one do. You take the dog in and hope for the best, but the only problem is keeping it around if you have other pets that need attention to.