I have taken in a straying boxer and it looks as if I have found a home for him. I have notified everybody I could think of (police, pounds etc). Nobody seems to know where the dog came from. My problem is, I do not home entire dogs. That's my policy, people will sign anything and then go ahead and do the opposite. With a bitch breeding is easy to prove but with a male dog it's different. Had I not taken the dog it he would have been put down in the pound. Can somebody tell me, what the legal status is, if the owner turns up, can he/she sue me for neutering the dog?

Taylor

I would imagine if he is past the put to sleep time limit, and there is no ID, tattoo or chip, then go ahead.

Years agao there used to be something about 30 days, if a dog unclaimed you could keep it, but you had to tell the police etc.

Laws change do much, but RSPCA should know, as surely they do this all the time with dogs thery rehome??

Legally, if I planned to keep the dog myself, I would have to wait a year before he would come into my *possession*. I have just spoken to the dogwarden, they only keep the dogs 5 days before they put them down. The five days have long passed and he would be dead by now. He has got no collar, no chip and no tatoo...

Taylor

Have you thought about putting a piece in the papers,
as the dog concerned may have been stolen and not from the
local area?
Also it may be worth contacting the local Boxer Rescues
as they may know of people who have lost or had their
Boxer stolen.
Collars can come off a dog and the rightful owners may not
have thought to get him tattooed or chipped.
(Mine are tattooed)
Hope he finds his forever home soon
Kind Regards
Kirstine

HI Kirstine,

to contact the Boxer Rescue in Ireland was the first thing I did. I have also posted him on numerous boards and the GB Boxer Rescue, checked all the dog boards I could think of : NO JOY :(.

Taylor

Taylor,
I am on a Yahoo group its for Boxer people,
If you want try his details on there. (ukboxerdogs)
Poor lad, at least he landed on his paws when he
found someone to care for him. :)
I'd be out of my mind with worry if I was to lose
one of mine, I'd be trying everything to find them.
Even if his old owners didn't want him anymore if
only they'd say so you can move forward.

Kind Regards
Kirstine

Hi Taylor.
If the dog has been kept for 7 days (in England) and has not been claimed, providing the correct authorities have been notified, then the dog becomes the property of the finder. If you want to neuter him after that time then you can.
Dawn.

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll go ahead and do it. :)

Taylor

Hi
Yes i know the police pound near me keep the dogs 10 days and if a owner dose not come forward it that time the dog goes up for rehomeing as a stray.
sandy.

Found the owner of the dog :). He had planned to have him neutered anyway :D. *uff* Dog got stolen from backyard.

Taylor

If I were in your shoes I would involve the local paer and get an aticle/photo of him done. If after a week or you have no replies to it and you have the approval of the dog warden/police I would go ahead and neuter and rehome. If the original owners do ever get in touch you can show you did everything you possibly could to find them. I'm no legal expert, but this seems a "moral" way to do it.

Taylor,
Glad that this story had a happy ending :)
Only hope his owners realise what a close call
that their boy had....if he hadn't been so lucky to be
found by you!!
Perhaps they'll now have him chipped or tattooed,
would they listen to any advice like that do you think?
Kindest Regards
Kirstine