I want to get my dog back

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Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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Hello everyone,

It’s been two weeks since my step-daughter gave her dog—a 7-month-old Malinois—to a friend from her class. She gave him away on impulse after a row with her dad.

She wanted him back the very next day, but he’s refusing to return him. She’s been on the phone and messaging him all week with no luck. Last Saturday, she went to his house to talk to him, but he didn't want to know. She had to report it to the police last week for breach of trust, but the prosecutor didn't take any action and wouldn't give the go-ahead for her to take him back. The dog is still in her name on the microchip database because no transfer of ownership papers were ever signed. This week, after several chats with the registry, she found out that a transfer request had been sent; once she received the document, she saw that it was her friend’s mum who had signed the transfer form.

It clearly states that the registered keeper must sign, not a third party—thankfully!

So, she’s gone back to the police to report them for forgery.

What will happen now? Is she in the right? I reckon she is, as she’s the legal owner of the dog. We’re still waiting for a legal decision.

All she wants is to get her dog back. He’s currently living in an outdoor run with three other big dogs, whereas at home he was safe and sound and totally pampered.

We’re all heartbroken by this separation. She knows she’s made a massive mistake, so there’s no need to give her a hard time about it. But the person who took him is being dishonest and is currently getting away with breaking the law.

Do you have any advice or ideas on how to get justice so the dog can be returned to her?

Thanks everyone.

Translated from French
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57 answers
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    • Sky
    sky Icon representing the flag French
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    The "kid" is 18, but just because you’ve come of age doesn't mean you necessarily understand all the consequences of your actions.

    No, and some people never do, but that doesn't get them off the hook...

    and not knowing the consequences beforehand doesn't stop you from facing up to them and taking responsibility for what you've done. 👎

    Just a reminder: the people being painted as the "villains" here aren't the ones who called this young woman a "kid" in the first place. At 18, you’re responsible for your own actions; so no, I’m not trying to pile on, regardless of what some might think. But sticking your head in the sand and only blaming the "bad guys" on the other side for not wanting to return a dog they were given isn't helping this young woman grow up or gain any maturity (villains whose side of the story we haven't heard: for all we know, from their point of view, they’re rescuing a dog from a family willing to give it away to just anyone on a whim. How are we supposed to know their side of things in all this... yes, I’m playing devil's advocate here 😈

    anyway, what was the outcome of the conversation with those people? Has the mum not changed her mind after the facts were laid out? = a blunder that needs to be sorted out sensibly by both sides?).

    And trying to sugarcoat the root of the problem won't necessarily help solve it either; quite the opposite, usually...

    Calling it a blunder isn't "piling on": it's telling the truth, and helping her take ownership of that mistake so she learns and doesn't do the same thing on a whim in the future. It’ll stop her from getting into another situation she’ll regret later, which could be even more serious or dangerous for her. She isn't a "kid" anymore; she's old enough to face her mistakes and learn from them for the future. Pretending it’s nothing and not her fault isn't a solution either, and it’s insulting her intelligence.

    Treating her like a silly, irresponsible child who doesn't understand what's happening is what’s truly disrespectful to this young woman.

    At the end of the day, it's because we keep treating young people like kids that they keep acting like kids... 😒

    And treating the other side like monsters, slagging them off behind their backs without knowing them—now *that* is judging and attacking people without the facts. 😏

    Wouldn't it be better to stay neutral and just lay the facts out objectively, especially how this all started, to maybe help find a solution? 🙄

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Yes. We're going to send them all the paperwork because we’re really struggling at the moment! Thanks a lot Alfredw

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    It’s so much easier to just have a go at the ‘villainous’ poster than to actually look for solutions. Don’t you have legal expenses cover? It’s usually included in most home insurance policies.
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    To answer everyone's questions: The "girl" is 18, but just because you've reached adulthood doesn't mean you necessarily understand the consequences of your actions. Yes, she gave her dog away because she was tired of arguing with her dad, who was constantly on at her for not looking after it enough. In reality, her dad was the one who took care of it all the time. On the spur of the moment, she took the dog and the paperwork and went with her boyfriend to give the dog to a friend from school. It wasn't right, I know that, but that very evening she realised what she'd done and thought she could get her dog back without any hassle... especially since it was a school friend. Except this "friend's" mum has stepped in, and she’s the one digging her heels in to keep the dog. This woman is acting very confident because she filled out the transfer of ownership form in her son's name and signed it instead of the actual owner. The dad has been distraught ever since; he’s the one moving heaven and earth. There’s no "ex" in the picture. I’m just the dad's partner and I’m also trying to find a way to help. I'm not looking for judgement. What's done is done. I'm just looking for advice so this girl and her dad can get their dog back. There are no holes in my story. I'm being honest. The facts are exactly as I've written them. How could these people have bonded with this dog when it’s living in an outdoor run with three others? What right do they have to refuse to return it? Why isn't anyone calling them out for signing on someone else's behalf? Isn't that a serious offence? Thank you again for your advice.
    Translated from French
    Sky
    sky Icon representing the flag French
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    Unless Kiri’s summary is the right one, and then it’s a whole different story… 😐

    Poor thing, being stuck in the middle of all this… 😞

    Translated from French
    Sky
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    I haven't seen the age mentioned anywhere, how old is she?

    I'm not sure, but if the dog is registered in her name, then the "girl" must be at least 18, and has been for at least five months (since it’s a 7-month-old puppy and you can legally get them from 8 weeks old)...

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    B
    Bangdji Icon representing the flag French
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    I haven't seen her age anywhere, how old is she?

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    Sky
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    And besides, let's be careful who we're calling a "kid".

    Especially since, now that I think about it, the "kid" is old enough to have a dog in her own name, apparently... 🙄

    Translated from French
    B
    Bangdji Icon representing the flag French
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    +1 Sky

    Even though a solution needs to be found, the way this whole thing started is just crazy.

    Translated from French
    Sky
    sky Icon representing the flag French
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    Besides, the OP admits it's a mad story herself, so what's the point in having a go at me for saying the same thing? 🥷

    Translated from French

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