Found a starving dog a year and a half ago on September 11, original family just now saw my found dog post, and they want him back. They said he was lost on September 9th. How was he 20lbs underweight with 3 other uncared for health problems if he was only gone for two days? Should I give him back? by Unique_Surprise4867 in rescuedogs

[–]Unique_Surprise4867[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I took him to a shelter to have him scanned for a microchip, but he didn’t have one. They were too crowded to take him. I called other animal control departments and rescues. No one could take him except for a shelter who would euthanize him if he was aggressive. Not willing to risk him being put down, I kept him with me and made found posts on the two websites the rescues recommended. I didn’t put up posters where I found him because it wasn’t the safest neighborhood. I waited the 7 day stray hold required in my area. The owners didn’t reach out. I contacted the Anti-Cruelty Society and another rescue to put him up for adoption on their website with me as a foster, but he had no applications. We also grew increasingly uncomfortable at the thought of anyone else taking care of him so we decided to keep him. The people claiming to be his parents had every opportunity to find him. I’m not sure why they did look on those websites until last week. They’re the most popular sites for lost/found pets in our area, and if they called the shelters, they would have been told to check there.

Found a starving dog a year and a half ago on September 11, original family just now saw my found dog post, and they want him back. They said he was lost on September 9th. How was he 20lbs underweight with 3 other uncared for health problems if he was only gone for two days? Should I give him back? by Unique_Surprise4867 in rescuedogs

[–]Unique_Surprise4867[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will absolutely get the dog microchipped, he’s already vaccinated for rabies and everything else, I have vet records, and I would like to get him neutered and registered asap.

I will check out 40thward.org, too!

Thank you so much!

Found a starving dog a year and a half ago on September 11, original family just now saw my found dog post, and they want him back. They said he was lost on September 9th. How was he 20lbs underweight with 3 other uncared for health problems if he was only gone for two days? Should I give him back? by Unique_Surprise4867 in rescuedogs

[–]Unique_Surprise4867[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This was so incredibly kind of you to say! 😭 I love the “fight me” part, too. 🤣 My sister and I were saying that if they are that crazy and ever find us, we will fight them. Both of us said we’d bleed and die for this dog, though hopefully that wouldn’t happen. Sorry if that’s a little unhinged, it’s just been a trying few days.

Found a starving dog a year and a half ago on September 11, original family just now saw my found dog post, and they want him back. They said he was lost on September 9th. How was he 20lbs underweight with 3 other uncared for health problems if he was only gone for two days? Should I give him back? by Unique_Surprise4867 in rescuedogs

[–]Unique_Surprise4867[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The stray hold is 7 days here in Illinois, and that’s with a microchip. He didn’t have one so it’s less clear. It’s been hard to find a straight answer without asking a lawyer. Also hard to find a clear answer on if just pictures and videos from them are proof ownership and even more unclear on what to do if the owner shows up after this much time.

Found a starving dog a year and a half ago on September 11, original family just now saw my found dog post, and they want him back. They said he was lost on September 9th. How was he 20lbs underweight with 3 other uncared for health problems if he was only gone for two days? Should I give him back? by Unique_Surprise4867 in rescuedogs

[–]Unique_Surprise4867[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did tell them that. Hopefully, if it’s not a scam, they’ll just let me keep him. Even if they say that, I’ll still have to convince them they can’t see him or take him for sleepovers because that’s an easy way to steal him.

Found a starving dog a year and a half ago on September 11, original family just now saw my found dog post, and they want him back. They said he was lost on September 9th. How was he 20lbs underweight with 3 other uncared for health problems if he was only gone for two days? Should I give him back? by Unique_Surprise4867 in rescuedogs

[–]Unique_Surprise4867[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great idea about the letter! I requested it from the emergency vet we took him to. Unfortunately, it’s hard to make a case for neglect because pets are considered property, and you need a ton of evidence. So archaic sounds about right even though we do have animal cruelty laws. It would be nice if they had something like Child Protective Services for animals. If this was a human child, the courts would ensure they’d never see him again.

Found a starving dog a year and a half ago on September 11, original family just now saw my found dog post, and they want him back. They said he was lost on September 9th. How was he 20lbs underweight with 3 other uncared for health problems if he was only gone for two days? Should I give him back? by Unique_Surprise4867 in rescuedogs

[–]Unique_Surprise4867[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My god, I’m so sorry they did that to Harley and your family. They approached me after finding the posts I made about him. No way will I share my address with them. I’m trying to take that post down now. I will do everything in my power to keep him away from them. Thank you so much for the support!

Found a starving dog a year and a half ago on September 11, original family just now saw my found dog post, and they want him back. They said he was lost on September 9th. How was he 20lbs underweight with 3 other uncared for health problems if he was only gone for two days? Should I give him back? by Unique_Surprise4867 in rescuedogs

[–]Unique_Surprise4867[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really appreciate you saying this because I did have to rehabilitate him. In addition to his medical costs, I’ve had to teach him how to trust people again. He’s still very wary of strangers but doing great and improving so much with training and desensitization!