I recently bred my blue staffordshire bull terrier and sold all the puppies to lovely families. After almost 2 weeks we had a panicked message from one of the buyers advising us that his children weren't getting along with the puppy and if we couldn't take him back he would consider putting him into a home. I rang him and tried to reassure him that all puppies are playful and will nip, he said he was going to talk to a dog behavioural expert and think about it. I told him I would take the puppy if he wanted me to. He rang back less than half an hour later and said he was putting the puppy in the car and coming to meet me. I went to meet him and gave him a partial refund and said if I sold the puppy again I would give him back the remainder of he money. I then decided to keep the puppy as I don't want him passed from pillar to post.

The buyer has sent me a text message today saying he is still the legal owner of the dog. I am now really worried that he will want the puppy back, find himself in the same situation then be too embarrassed to ring us again and put the puppy in a rehoming centre. Our dog is a much loved family pet, this was a one off breeding and we got really attached to all the puppies. Everyone else is really happy with the puppies and have sent us photos and updates. The buyer gave us the KC papers back.

I would really appreciate any advice anyone can give me.

Thank you

It is best to get Simeon to sign a surrender, but as they relinquished the dog voluntarily, you have possession of it and it's documentation then I would put his number on reject on your phone and get on with rearing your puppy.

If he gave you the KC documentation back, then he hasn't had the dog registered in his own name.  

He wouldn't get the dog back from me.

I would say that as he gave you the puppy back and the KC papers and accepted a partial refund he gave up any rights he had to the puppy. You told him that you would give him the rest of the purchase price back IF you sold the pup which you have decided not to do. Why does he still think he is the legal owner? Did he change the registration papers into his name? I know a lot of people don't and I don't know if this makes any difference. When he bought the puppy from you did he sign any sort of contract with you stating that he understood if he couldn't keep the pup, for whatever reason, you would take it back and stating any refund he would be entitled to. Don't think these contracts are legally binding.

Could be completely wrong, sure someone will come along who knows more soon.

Did you get a receipt from him for the money you paid for the pup?

I'm not sure it matters in a court that you are the breeder, only that you have paid him for the puppy. If you have a receipt it proves he sold it and you are now the new owner.

If somebody has handed a dog over and accepted money, they have given up ownership. The more official documents you have in your name will help -vaccination certificate, microchip registration, vet registration etc. KC registration does not count for much as far as ownership goes.

If he gave you the KC documentation back, then he hasn't had the dog registered in his own name.

Well they COULD have done it online, using the reg number and unique ownership code. You don't give up the old cert then but will receive a new one -so you actually end up with two reg certs for the same pup, in two different names.

Had you contacted him to tell him that you had decided to keep the puppy?  Perhaps his text is simply a way of getting your attention and to find out what is happening with the puppy...

He owned the dog for less than 2 weeks and despite making a mistake he did contact you, rather than selling him to a bloke in the pub.  I'd give him the rest of his money back too in return for confirmation in writing that he is handing the dog over.  It'll be well worth it for your peace of mind :)

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful. should have said in first post that the KC papers that i have are in other persons name.

The new papers are in his name and not mine .

there was no contract signed on the original purchase and the papers that i got back are in his name, but from what i've been told as he accepted money back for the puppy he has given up his legal right of ownership.

Do you have proof that you gave him money for the pup?

If you didn't get a paper receipt did you have a witness with you?

Did you give him a cheque?

If not it could be tricky.....

>The new papers are in his name and not mine

Has he signed the transfer part of the new registration document so that you can get registration back into your name?

he new papers are in his name and not mine

He must have sent the KC papers off  the day he bought the pup, for him to have gotten them back within that two week period   before he contacted you ( or can you do it on line).

Did you get a receipt when you took pup back.

Personally I would just give him the remaining money back and be done with him,

Oh dear, have you got a scammer here as no-one in their right mind would do such a thing, or did he say this in the text jokingly, it makes all the difference and you need to know what and who you are dealing with.

KC registration as has been found in many a court is not proof of ownership even though people may think that it is.

It comes down to who has the dog, looks after it and has vet registration etc in their name. Immediately get the dog signed up at your vet just for starters.

Sorry but you have been extremely foolish and no doubt this is your first litter, when a pup is returned you must have them sign the KC registration papers for transfer of ownership and you must get them to sign the microchip paperwork ready for change of address, everything is still in his name? You also must get a signature when returning any monies.

At this time you have no proof that he gave the dog back for good, other than your word.

But what excuse will he have for you having the dog and his paperwork? What will he say? He can not even pretend that you have the dog for holiday cover as he gave you the KC papers, I honestly can not think what his defence could be? If he is a scammer let him push his luck and tell him to try and take you to court. Better still as Brainless has suggested don't take his calls.

If he has said this as a joke or in a way to just point out to you that he did not sign anything over, (a texts tone can not be known ;-) )  Very simply just go and see him with the KC transfer/microchip paperwork and please write out a receipt to say he has received a refund, and get him to just sign everything to make it official.  Just say you were in such a flap at getting the pup back you forgot to get him to sign everything over, easy done and all over with if you can do that. :-)

Keep us informed as it is a very unusual case, I can only think he was just joking, at least I hope so............

I doubt the KC papers being in his name have any legal significance. I have a few pups whose owners never bothered to transfer them over to their own name and so they are still registered in mine.  That doesn't give me any legal rights over them though.
Not sure you will be able to put the pup back into your name now though, without the owner signing the transfer form.