We’ve had him for a few weeks because she said she can no longer take care of him. Now she says she still owns him and wants him back. We know she hits him and pulls his tail, who knows what else when we’re not around.
She stormed out of here without him, yelling that she’ll call the cops. We called animal welfare right after she left and they told us that keeping him can get us charged. We’re going to do the “right” thing but she won’t answer her phone to arrange for someone to come get him and his cage.
Who the fuck abuses a bird? Whoever it is, is fucked up beyond belief. It’s like, if you have a dog or cat that’s being particularly rowdy, it’s conceivable to not exactly hit it, but forcefully nudge it if it’s acting up. Gently, but firmly. But a fucking bird? How do you hit a bird? What the fuck?
If this was me, I would absolutely NOT give the bird back. Most people who threaten to snitch on you are not going to do it, so I don’t believe the empty “call the cops” rhetoric. I’d keep the bird, and if she does actually call the cops, just explain very clearly “this woman is incapable of caring for the bird.” I’d bet my last dollar that she does not have any proof of ownership of the bird.
OK, actually, now that I read this more carefully, I don’t actually know who you are in all of this. What authority do you have? How did you wind up with this bird?
We’re actually at least the third family she’s given him to. She wasn’t happy with the way the previous one took care of him, either; supposedly keeping him in his cage 24/7. She decides she can no longer take care of him, a conure aged 15 or so, then starts having second thoughts and shows up to feed him nearly every afternoon.
We don’t need this drama.
ETA: we live in the same complex; she walks here from across the street. The last family was about a mile away.
Do you think there’s any possible way you might be able to diplomatically suggest to this person to not hit a fucking bird, or would it just go in one ear and out the other? I have to assume it would, because anyone who’s fucked-up enough to abuse a bird is going to be too fucked up to understand anything you say to them or be trusted in any way, actually.
I didn’t know what a conure was until I just looked it up, but it says they can live up to 30 years. That’s 15 more potential years of abuse at the hands of this deeply troubled individual, so I’d do everything in my power to stop that from happening. If there are any injuries to the bird, take pictures to show to the Animal Welfare people.
You say you don’t need the drama, and I believe you, but if you do decide you need the drama at some point, feel free to involve the news and social media. If this individual is someone who you don’t mind getting into a public dispute with, feel free to blast this on social media. The story potentially has legs. I mean, wings.
Is there a local bird rescue group? I suspect it’s too late to do anything for you and the bird, but they may be able to watch the situation and step in the next time she wants to hand him off. If you can’t find a group on your own, the animal welfare folks might know about someone.
Rescue groups are usually pretty good about getting owners to sign the pet over officially, so they can’t be re-claimed, or getting their status established as abandoned.
If there were any injuries, there would be no fucking way we’re letting him go.
Like I said, animal welfare now has her name, address, and phone number. The office is closed Tuesdays but we got their answering service and their emergency staff called back.
If the bird was a gift, I don’t think the police can make you return it. It sounds like a civil matter to me. The final outcome might depend on the circumstances and conversations about you taking the bird. Now she might call the cops claiming you stole the bird, but if you tell them it was a gift I don’t think they can make you return it without a judgement from a civil court. She may have to sue you. But take this with a grain of salt or something, because IANAL — I just watch too much Justice TV. This does sound like a case made for a courtroom TV show.
What was the precise language she used when she “gave” it to you? This sounds like a legal question, so perhaps a lawyer could comment. In general when someone gives you something they have no right to get it back–ownership has been transferred.
sounds like shes bi polar … my uncle ran into a woman like that … he sold her aa nice pure bread dog … 4 months later they were engaged and then one day she didn’t want him or the dog then 3 months later shes pregnant by one of 6 guys she was hanging around and wanted took the dog back … had the baby married some dumb ass that liked to party …he robbed her blind she had the baby said dog didn’t like the baby so she dropped it off again baby was taken away because she had a mental episode after a 3 week bender with hubby
when hubby realized her money was in a trust and he stole all he could he left and came back about 3 or 4 times she managed to the kid back (from relatives) with a warning …
her and hubby got even more abusive and they left each other a few more times she took the dog for a 3rd time … had another episode because of her and hubby fighting …lost the kid again my uncle kept the dog and had her sign it over to him in writing
Now hubbys long gone the kids a ward of the state up for adoption … she sold the house her parents left her and last time anyone heard from her they said " don’t be surprised if they find her dead in an alley soon "
Thing is, I have a low-level federal security clearance which is required for my job. I’m not about to let any sort of suit interfere with my employment.
Or in the early stages of dementia. The woman’s got to be in her seventies.
…Wings trimmed? “It just flew away officer, when I was cleaning the cage”
(I have 30 conures, and if/when they bite you,:eek: its hard not to try and discipline them…but you cant, they have no clue what they have done, and as they remember bad things happening for a long time, its all downhill down that path)
She gave the bird to you, and you, now being the legal owner of the bird, gave it away to someone else. For free. On Craigslist. Oops, bummer how that happened, right?
