Hi All,

I have been living with my x partner and their dog for over 5 years now.
Now that we have separated my x has offered for me to take ownership.
This is great as I would miss the dog so much.

Although, my x has said this verbally to me I wondered if anyone could
advise me as to how about LEGALLY changing the ownership of the dog.
I.e. is there a standard contract I could get my x to sign.
I need this for the dogs and mine peace of mind. So we can move on.

Any help would be MOST appreciated.

Warmest Regards

TinksDad

Hi
is the dog KC registered?

Hi Janeandkai,

Thanks for the prompt reply :)

To answer your question:
I don't think so, she was one of my x's mums dogs litters.

She is a Yorkshire Terrier.

Any more advice would be greatly appreciated

Regards

TinksDad

Hi there,

I would imagine that a simple letter will be sufficient. Are there any papers that has your x's name with the dog?

Mind, bear in mind that niggly things like these can make a separation bitter. Do you really realistically think your x is going to challenge this in future?

I would imagine that if you just change all the insurance, vet details and microchip details then that would be proof. (especially the microchip details - if you don't have him microchipped, then this would be a good idea and proof of ownership). You can also have him registered with the dog warden.

All the best,
Patty

Thanks for reply Patty,

Yeah a simple letter/contract would probably suffice, no she is not yet chipped.
Just registered at local vet with x's details.

Will look into draughting a suitable letter of sorts.

Yeah, my x is the type to stir things up further down the line
so I need some sort of proof of changed ownership.

Thanks again.

Regards
TinksDad

Please be aware that under English. Welsh & Northern Ireland Property Law a microchip is not proof of ownership of anything other than the chip itself & microchip companies all reserve the right to transfer the registration of the chip to a third party without the consent of the person(s)to whom the chip is registered

Hi Moonmaiden,

Your reply is appreciated.

I will make note of your comments.

Warmest Regards

TinksDad

Hi Moonmaiden,

Thanks for the info. This obviously got me a bit worried, so I called PetLog where I have Layla microchipped to confirm whether this is right.

They said that the only circumstances they will do this is if a welfare organisation tried to contact you and PetLog tried to contact you and they could not get hold of you, because you haven't maintained the microchip details.

The confirmed that under no circumstances will they update the microchip records without the paperwork and trying to contact you.

They also said that if you did not give your permission for the transfer of details to be made to any organisation of person, then that they could not do this.

However, they stressed that it was important for the database records to be maintained by the owner, otherwise transfer could be made by the rescue organisation.

I guess in my eyes this makes perfect sense.

Cheers,
Patty

Maybe i havent read your post correctly but i have to tell you that i recently put my name as a new registered owner when i didnt have the previous paperwork. I think petlog tried to contact the previous owner once i had sent in the form they had given me but soon afterwards i recieved a new certificate with my details etc on it.

Just to Say thanks for all your wonderful help and advice all.

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Great New Year

Warmest Regards

TinksDad.

P.s. Will keep you posted on results...

That's the theory Patty, but as one owner found to her cost it isn't always the case

The main thing to remember is that a microchip in the eyes of the Law in England, Wales & N. Ireland is not a permanent mark & therefore is not proof of ownership of whatever it is implanted in.

In most cases it does result in the return of property but not always & there have been cases were a dog's microchip was registered in joint names & the chip company refused to divulge the whereabouts to half of the partnership & even though they had had contact from half of the owners, still transferred the ownership to a rescue who then destroyed the dog :rolleyes: In this case they did transfer the registration of the chip(not the ownership of the dog BTW)

They quoted the data protection act to one of the owners(load of cr*p)when they refused to tell them where the dog was because both the owners had not contacted them ! They only tried ringing the registered owners they did not write to them by signed for delivery not try any other form of contact

Add to this the instructions from the BVA that if an animal, is scanned by anyone at a vets other than a vet the registered owners of the chip are not informed :rolleyes: Glad to say for the animals sakes this is usually ignored !

Until the law is changed having your dog chipped is not a proof of your ownership of the dog

Hi Moonmaiden,

Thanks for that. Maybe I should consider having Layla tattooed - I just hate the thought of the pain it may cause her.

Thanks anyway, it's good to know and take precautions.

Cheers,
Patty

Do you have pierced ears?  Tattoing in my experience is no worse than theri Jabs or microchipping.  With baby pups it is the restraint they object to most.  With adults I just hold firmly and it is soon over and mine have been fussing the tattoist.  Baby pups stand their wanting to see what you are doingto the next pup.

are you saying that anyone could steal my dog and then have the chip put in their name to make them the leagal owner?? surely they cant do that?

I dont think it is that simple, in my case petlog would have been in touch with the current registered owners before changing the name. So as long as you have your contact details up to date then it will never be an issue.

Hi tinksDad,

Get a solicitor to draw up a proffessional letter for you and have your ex sign it with two witnessess when your ex is in a good mood. This is the only thing that would ever stand up in court.

Merry Christmas to you too. :-)

Hey Tinksdad,

If you draft up a standard purchase agreement and both sign (get a independant witness to sign as well if poss), There must be some form of consideration ( a benefit to the offeror or a detriment to the offeree) - this is easiest done by means of a monetary payment (which always amounts to consideration -cash) - .  The consideration need not be adequate - therefore, a peppercorn (such as 1p) amount would amount to consideration!

Hope this helps!

Happy doggy ownership!

All you need is a receipt with his signature saying you are the full owner. If it is his natural signature you do not need withnesses etc for it to b e a legal transfer of ownership.