Changing the owner's name on a microchip

Zazou04
Zazou04 Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

This is quite a sensitive subject.

I took in my dog from my partner's ex-girlfriend, who had her from when she was a tiny puppy. She eventually handed her over to my partner.

When I first came into her life, the dog was being kept in a cupboard (about 3ft by 2.5ft) in the dark. She was skin and bone and very wary. She could only go to the toilet on the flat's balcony, and I could see she wasn't comfortable doing it there.

I've invested so much in this dog; even before I was with my partner, I used to take her out. The first time I took her out to do her business, her poo was full of worms...

She was 3 years old and had never been microchipped or vaccinated. My partner's ex left and left her with him. I bought her some good quality dry food, took her out all the time, and she got back into shape and learned to trust people again, but she’s always been very scared of my partner.

I insisted my partner take her to the vet for her vaccinations, microchipping, and worming treatment, and I paid the bills. But here's the thing – I made a massive mistake and let him put her in his name...

Now I'm in the middle of splitting up with my partner. If I wasn't there, he’d be capable of forgetting to give her food and water for several days in a row, or choosing to go out with his mates instead of taking her for a walk.

Does anyone have a solution so I can get the microchip put in my name? He knows perfectly well how much this dog means to me and he won't hesitate to use that to mess me about...

Thanks in advance.

Translated from French
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21 answers
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    • C
    Coco3161 Icon representing the flag French
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    I’d suggest having a word with a vet, as they’ll be able to give you the best advice. A friend of mine found a microchipped dog and the vet tried to get hold of the owner but didn’t have any luck. After a year, they eventually updated the chip into my friend's name. Maybe they can do something similar for you.
    Translated from French
    Zazou04
    Zazou04 Icon representing the flag French
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    He knows how much I care about this dog and that I'd do everything I can to get her back. So it'll be a way for him to have a bit of a hold over me, in a sense... My ex-boyfriend’s mum has got involved. He won’t have any choice but to let me have her! Such good news! Thanks everyone for your advice; I really wanted to find a solution that was all above board and within the law!
    Translated from French
    Bobkat
    Bobkat Icon representing the flag French
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    Personally, I’d recommend staying on the right side of the law too.

    Because sooner or later, you always get caught out.

    Buy the dog back from him if he’s willing.

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi :)

    Yes, it would be "appalling if the 'owner' kept custody just because of a 'slip-up' by Zazou04." But they’d still have to prove she did something wrong. To me, it seems you can't really blame someone for going into a house when they've been given the keys (that was my suggestion, assuming ''IF you have the keys, personally I’d just go and get the dog''). Maybe she hasn't got them, in which case my idea won’t work.

    As for getting the dog (if she still has the keys to the house), as long as there's no proof (which I also pointed out) that he didn't ask her to pick up the dog on a certain day or told her never to touch her, she can always say ''he asked me verbally, and anyway I’ve always been the one looking after her'', etc. etc...

    As long as she isn't hurting her, I don't think anyone can blame Zazou for anything, especially if there’s no proof—in fact, there's actually proof that she’s looked after her quite well (photos of them out on walks, for example, or witness statements, for what they’re worth...).

    If he wants to report her to the police, the first thing they’ll say to him (well, I reckon) is ''have you actually asked her to give the dog back?''

    I’ve advised her to return her if that’s what he asks. So he shouldn't even be reporting it, and if he does anyway, I think they’ll just tell him to ask for the dog back as a first step.

    By doing what I suggested, I don’t think she can be blamed for anything.

    At most, there might be some suspicion, but even then.

    By going to the police, he also risks her defending herself; at best for him, nothing happens, and at worst, she could come out of it much better off, and I think he probably knows that.

    My aim is to make him realise what’s happening. I haven’t re-read it, but I think at one point she says ''he doesn't give a toss about this dog, he’s even capable of using her just to wind me up''. I wanted to break that cycle of ''I don't care about the dog, and I’ll use her to mess her about''.

    It's about showing him that she won't be messed around and that she’ll do whatever she can to help this dog.

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    If she has the keys to his place and she goes to get the dog, that's not a criminal offence, is it? I don't think she could be prosecuted for it. Obviously, it’s always better to do things by the book, but there are also very critical situations where you sometimes have to—well, in my opinion—push the boundaries a bit. As they say, rules are made to be broken ;) And if the intention is good, or even honourable... the problem here is mainly the lack of proof, as is so often the case, sadly. Hi Hibiscus, I agree about pushing boundaries and taking charge... but how far can you push them? And things don't always have a happy ending... I’m not a pessimist, quite the opposite. But taking charge... I get the "why" here; the dog's situation can’t wait and it’s heartbreaking to see and hear about. It’s infuriating and it really makes you want to take action... but you just have to consider the "how". It would be even more tragic and upsetting if the "owner" kept custody because of a slip-up by Zazou04... Having the keys to the flat doesn't mean you're necessarily on the tenancy agreement, just as it doesn't mean you have rights over everything inside... I agree there too, you really need proof otherwise it'll be one person's word against the other, and when couples split up... it's always complicated.
    Translated from French
    M
    Mel1 Icon representing the flag French
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    Keep it simple! Since he couldn't care less about the dog, just get hold of the microchip registration paperwork and fill in the "change of owner and address" section. Sign it on his behalf, send it off, and that’s it—you’ll get the new certificate in your name! I was going to say the same thing! After all, if he doesn't give a toss about the dog, he’s not going to start any legal proceedings. And even if he did? It’s your word against his. You can always say he agreed and signed the form, then changed his mind just to give you a hard time because of the breakup.
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    If she’s got his keys and goes in to get the dog, that’s not an offence, surely? I don't think she could be prosecuted for that. Obviously, it’s always better to do things by the book, but there are some really desperate situations where you sometimes have to—well, in my opinion anyway—push the boundaries a bit. As they say, rules are meant to be broken! ;) And if the intentions are good, or even noble... the main problem here is the lack of evidence, as is so often the case, unfortunately.
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there,

    My advice would be the same as Gabyn’s: keep trying to negotiate with your ex. He'll eventually give in, especially if he isn't that attached to the dog as you say... Otherwise, report his behaviour to animal charities...

    I don't think you should put yourself in a compromising position by taking the dog without warning or falsifying any documents... Things might work out, but they could also backfire on you... Having a police report filed against you is one thing... but risking never being able to officially adopt the dog you love... are you really prepared to take that risk?

    Inform the local rescues about the dog's living conditions and the registered owner's lack of responsibility. It’s a long process, but if you persevere and stay logical and level-headed in your decisions... you'll have a better chance of being recognised as a loving and responsible potential owner... Otherwise, if things go south, it'll just be your word against his, and officially you have no legal rights to the dog...

    Sorry if my message sounds a bit too serious, but that's just my point of view.

    I really hope you manage to adopt him!

    Translated from French
    Zazou04
    Zazou04 Icon representing the flag French
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    It’s a nightmare, honestly. I know he won’t look after her; he only kept the dog to spite his ex after she dumped her on him. She even trapped him with a child that she’s now doing a pathetic job of raising. She only did it to try and keep him. Once the dog grew up, she stopped bothering with her, and he didn’t either because she wasn’t ‘his’ dog. I fell head over heels because, despite everything, he did have his good points. I wanted to help him sort his life out. I’ve put so much time and energy into looking after his child, too. I can’t exactly get the child out of that situation, other than by reporting it to social services, but I just can't leave the dog there. He never takes her anywhere—he won't even have a dog in his car. He’d just leave her tied to a post if I wasn’t there to take her out.
    Translated from French
    Zazou04
    Zazou04 Icon representing the flag French
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    "I hear what you’re saying, but I’ve never neglected an animal; the situation is completely different. His ex selfishly dumped the dog on him because she realised that a dog is a massive commitment. If he loved this dog, he wouldn't forget to feed her, and he’d never have stood for that kind of treatment—you don’t lock an animal in the dark without them being able to go to the toilet." Hi there, as for him forgetting to give her water, maybe he was just relying on you? Regarding him condoning what his ex did, maybe he tried to talk to her? Or maybe he just thought, ‘I’m too thick to understand anything,’ so he didn’t get involved? (Yes, it’s a bit of a stretch, but people are odd like that...). In any case, look, you did stay with a guy who, by your own account, went along with some pretty vile behaviour towards this pup. People, honestly... If I were in your shoes, I think if I could (if I had his keys, for example), I’d just go and get the dog. And then I’d wait and see what happens... There’s a chance he won’t even ask for her back. If that happens, with the right proof to back you up (like taking daily photos to show she’s with you and evidence that he isn’t asking for her back), after a while, maybe the dog becomes adoptable? You’d have to look into it. Worst-case scenario, he goes to the police, but I doubt they’d put you in prison for it. Especially since you could always say, ‘He’s the one who asked me to look after her’ (as long as there aren’t any texts from him asking for her back in the meantime). And if he does ask for her back quickly before going to the police, ask him if he’d be okay with selling her to you, as suggested above. Tell him that if you do return her, he’ll be under close scrutiny and you won't let him neglect her. It might make him think twice...
    Translated from French

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