Dog ownership Help
 

I have a question and a story for all. Hopefully someone will be able to help me. My father in law died on Jan 1, 2009 and in his will his son (my husband) got the house property and everything in and on it. So, we also inherdid a 13 year old dog and 17 year old cat. So, we thought. My husband's adopted sister says the dog is hers and came and took him today. I am not very happy about it. But she hasn't had anything to do with this dog in years and his vet bills are in our name. We are the ones that have been taking care of this dog for the last 6 months. So, my question is who has the legal rights to the dog my husband and me or his adopted sister?

Sounds to me like you guys own the dog.

you own the dog, hands down, the will says you do so if you want to fight her in court you should win easily.

I would take her to court and/or report it to your AC that she unlawfully took your dog (if you live in the same area). If you live in the same area and the dog is licensed and microchipped in your name I don't see why AC couldn't go pick your dog up for you or back you up to retrieve the dog.

Meanwhile get together your paperwork. Obviously the will. Vet receipts listing you as owner, dog license paperwork listing you as owner, and if the dog is microchipped make sure all that paperwork is in order. Any receipts for food and etc. for the dog would also be useful.

I'd also make sure that all the kitty's paperwork is in order also, just in case she decides to go for the poor old cat too.

Other's are saying you legally own the dog; that makes sense to me. But I wonder if you know your SIL's motives? It would be unfortunate if she actually cared for the dog & this became a fight. Though, it's also unfortunate that she didn't try to work it out w/ you first.

You own the dog. Get your paperwork together and get a lawyer. http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png Before this last 6 months, I assume your father in law was the sole provider to the dog?

Also, I''m very sorry for you and your husband's loss.

That would include the dog/cat. They are considered property and unless the FIL stipulated differently regarding ownership of the dog/cat, they are yours. http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/wink.png

She doesn't give a rats ass about the dog. She is doing it just to piss us off. And she did do that. She had it all planned cause she has hired a doggysitter to watch the dog full time. She lives in a small ass apartment we live on a farm. She also has a cow she hasn't seen in almost 3 or 4 years maybe more everyone lost track of that. I have sad kids because they miss Taz. My youngest always went and played with him and he would watch out for her.

To let everyone know I have almost all the paperwork already in hand but my husband and I screwed up on one part we never put his liscense in our name because the lawyer told us all to wait on everything so i am kicking myself in the ass. Plus before my father in law died he paid the liscense but we never got anything back. But i did call the vet and put his records on hold so if she tries to get the records she can't. Cause I did put the cat and dog in my husband and my name for records.

I thank u all for ur support and advice. I will try to keep u all informed on how its all going to get or loved dog back home where he belongs

If you don't already have a lawyer that specializes in this, you might want to get one here:

http://www.martindale.com/

I agreehttp://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png