# Would we have to give back our dog? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 27, 2025, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533 "2025-08-27T16:10:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/21 "2025-08-27T18:56:20Z")
Not that this helps the OP, but our current dog was rehomed to us. She is also chipped, so in the paperwork that accompanied her we found info on her chip and a link to a website. On that site we entered her chip number and filled out a few other questions, one of which dealt with the dog’s ownership changing hands, IIRC. I think the website sent the former owner a message to validate they had given up the dog, which they confirmed, and a message was emailed back to us confirming the dog is now legally ours. There were no costs involved (I suspect the whole interface for this is automated). Not sure is this would help settle things in the OP’s case, but if the dog is chipped you may be able to find info from the chip manufacturer about how to request a change of ownership of the dog. But yeah, the former owner is probably just checking in. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/22 "2025-08-27T19:36:57Z")
How bout you just tell the previous owner that the dog died? Problem solved! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/23 "2025-08-27T19:50:48Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > I’ll leave it to actual lawyers to weigh in. I’d assume the law treats a dog no differently to a sofa or a bicycle. You exchanged the property and then both parties carried on (for a year) as if the exchange was permanent, so that is an implied contract? But maybe some jurisdictions have special laws covering exchanging an animal? I was reading about a case a couple of years ago where a judge ruled that pets are not the same as property or livestock. I wish I knew more. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/24 "2025-08-27T20:04:43Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > That is not what is meant by legal/contractual consideration. I know that. I used it in the non-contractual way of “thing for the Judge to consider in their ruling”. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/25 "2025-08-27T20:08:45Z")
> [@ricepad](#): > > “Who? Ain’t no Cricket around here!” I’m glad Snowboarder Bo didn’t write this with his “Let’s throw it in the quarry.” > [@Dinsdale](#): > > How bout you just tell the previous owner that the dog died? Problem solved! I’m coming to get the body. We have a perfect spot picked out in her favorite place where she can watch the sunrise." 😢 > [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I was reading about a case a couple of years ago where a judge ruled that pets are not the same as property or livestock. I wish I knew more. When in California, I had heard that dogs were considered property but other pets were in their own category. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/26 "2025-08-27T20:18:23Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I’m coming to get the body. We have a perfect spot picked out in her favorite place where she can watch the sunrise." “We were having such a lovely day hiking around the rim of the active volcano…” I can play this all day! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/27 "2025-08-27T20:24:20Z")
[https://law.lclark.edu/live/files/32202-26-1-buhaipdf](https://law.lclark.edu/live/files/32202-26-1-buhaipdf) I pretty much skimmed this, but it discusses the history of law WRT pets as property, as well as recent efforts/trends to allow damages exceeding fair market value. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/28 "2025-08-27T22:34:23Z")
If the OP really wants to know where the college person stands on the topic, it’d be easy enough to gently raise the issue. E.g. > Cricket is doing wonderfully since you gave him/her to us. We totally love our new dog, and he/she has really bonded to her new owners. Thanks for asking. If you want to put your thumb hard on the scale to ensure you can keep it without controversy, continue with > The vet bills run into the thousands, and her special prescription food & meds are super expensive. But totally worth it for our special doggie-child. :grinning devil smily: ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/29 "2025-08-27T23:33:05Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > How bout you just tell the previous owner that the dog died? That would be cruel, you have break it to them slowly. “Cricket is up on the roof…” ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2025, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/30 "2025-08-28T00:35:24Z")
You’ve had Cricket for “about a year now”, which is 7 dog years, so you’re good. 😉 > [@LSLGuy](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > The vet bills run into the thousands, and her special prescription food & meds are super expensive. But totally worth it for our special doggie-child. “Cricket’s fine, but cleaning up after her explosive diarrhea three times a day, not to mention the projectile vomiting and the anal glands that need expressing daily, can be a bit challenging.” ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2025, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/31 "2025-08-28T02:24:30Z")
Answer the student! silence may be more, not less, likely to bring them to your doorstep. Say that Cricket’s doing fine, is very happy with you, and you’re very happy to have her. If the next thing you hear is a demand to give her back, reply that uprooting a very old dog all over again would be very bad for her. I doubt you can be required to do it. It would be kind to allow a visit. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2025, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/32 "2025-08-28T09:15:23Z")
Around here the dog in question has to be classified working, hunting or pet dog. I think judges pull it out of their butts what to do about each category. When I see the court report in our daily rag I’m always flummoxed. There’s no telling what would happen if legal action were taken. Mainly because there’s so many dog courts, but also decisions are not at all standard. I _think_ the fact you’re not a transient college student you’d have the upper hand. But one soft souled judge and plaintiff’s tears, all bets are off. I might be tempted to hash it out now, and get the story. Maybe by text, so you have a record of it. You clearly now want the dog to keep. It would be sad to remove an old dog again. You need to say that, firmly. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2025, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/33 "2025-08-28T13:53:29Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Say that Cricket’s doing fine, is very happy with you, and you’re very happy to have her. If the next thing you hear is a demand to give her back, reply that uprooting a very old dog all over again would be very bad for her. I doubt you can be required to do it. It would be kind to allow a visit. Great game plan. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2025, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/34 "2025-08-28T16:52:04Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I wouldn’t think so, by why ask about her after a year of ghosting her dog? And college students are not the sharpest sandwich in the basket. If this turned into, “I miss her so much. I can keep her in our new apartment.” it would not be the most shocking thing I’ve heard all month. If she previously lived in the dorms, & wasn’t allowed a dog there but now has an apartment that does allow dogs that _could_ be a case for wanting her old pet back, but I also read it as just an inquiry as to how her old dog is doing > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > > [@Dinsdale](#): > > > > How bout you just tell the previous owner that the dog died? Problem solved! > > I’m coming to get the body. We have a perfect spot picked out in her favorite place where she can watch the sunrise." 😢 When I’ve put previous dogs down because, sadly, it was their time, I was given the option of a body, ashes, or nothing so there might not be a body to put anywhere. (I have their ashes on the mantle). > [@needscoffee](#): > > You’ve had Cricket for “about a year now”, which is 7 dog years, so you’re good. 😉 Or…maybe she’s itching to get the dog back. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2025, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/35 "2025-08-28T17:01:06Z")
Yeah, it sounded to me like a simple inquiry. But the OP didn’t really explain what the relationship w/ the student was before they adopted the dog. Family friend? Neighbor? Relative? The idea that the young person expressed ZERO interest in the dog for a year would predispose me to feel a certain way - likely be minimally suspicious and defensive - should they eventually reach out. Not saying they are a bad person or anything, and not urging paranoia. But if they didn’t even send a text thanks or inquiry, didn’t stop by when home from school…, I’d wonder why they are reaching out NOW. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/36 "2025-08-28T19:37:40Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > If she previously lived in the dorms, & wasn’t allowed a dog there but now has an apartment that does allow dogs that _could_ be a case for wanting her old pet back, but I also read it as just an inquiry as to how her old dog is doing Yeah, I get that. It just seemed out of the blue. The other variable is when she was pre-Cricket, she was with the student’s parent at their house until they moved out of the country so what if they move back to the US? > [@Dinsdale](#): > > But the OP didn’t really explain what the relationship w/ the student was before they adopted the dog. Girlfriend of the son of a used-to-be close friend. Literally the last people on the list before pre-Cricket gets the night-night juice. > [@Dinsdale](#): > > The idea that the young person expressed ZERO interest in the dog for a year would predispose me to feel a certain way - likely be minimally suspicious and defensive - should they eventually reach out. They came over a few days later and checked out the home and her arraingments - absolutely not a problem. Except for one text from her boyfriend (not her, see above) as to how Cricket was doing, it has been ghost city until now. And I get that. I’ve been there where my cat went to my grandparents when I went to college so I get that it is easier to deal with by not inquiring. So why now? ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2025, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/37 "2025-08-28T19:52:15Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Girlfriend of the son of a used-to-be close friend. That close, huh? 😉 How long had the student had pre-Cricket? I mean, if the dog is 15, did her family get it when the student was a little kid? Or somehow did the student/her family adopt the dog as an older dog? Either way - I suspect you are overthinking this (as I likely would as well.) Just tell her the dog is fine. Maybe hope her school is going well. But you owe her nothing more. If she pushes it any further - even asks to visit, I’d suggest saying no. This person is nothing to you and, I suggest, a potential negative much more than any possible positive. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2025, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/38 "2025-08-28T20:43:06Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > How long had the student had pre-Cricket? 14 years, so since she was 5 or 6. She is very analytic so coldly saying, “If you don’t take Bougie (pre-Cricket name) in, I’m going to have her put down.” made perfect sense as heartless as it sounded. But she grew up with this dog!! > [@Dinsdale](#): > > Either way - I suspect you are overthinking this (as I likely would as well.) I develop contingency plans when making my grocery list in case the store is out of Certo tomatoes (no calcium chloride). > [@Dinsdale](#): > > Maybe hope her school is going well. But you owe her nothing more. Mrs Cad is dealing with it. Took a picture of Cricket and sent it. Have not heard as to any follow up. Oh I forgot, Cricket got shaved short for summer and Mrs Cad sent a picture “ready for summer”. THAT prompted the boyfriend to ask how she was doing. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2025, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/39 "2025-08-28T21:01:12Z")
BOUGIE?? I would fight extra hard to keep her out of her former owner’s clutches! [kidding…but really: Bougie?] ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2025, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533/40 "2025-08-28T21:09:37Z")
It wasn’t Bougie but it was a very bougie name. Like, "That’s her name? 🤮 " [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-we-have-to-give-back-our-dog/1022533.md?page=3)