Stray dog!!!

UKTigerlily

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

I would be very wary indeed.

Your husband is right, and this chap probably has no way of proving it was his neighbours dog, (it may be that he just fancies getting a free dog as it is hard to disprove too!) and if it is he has no more right to it that you do.

If I died I would hate to think someone would let my neighbour have my dog - she would have no right to her and is not a suitable owner!!!

He may not be a kind or responsible person for the dog to go to. He may even be looking to get a dog to breed, or even worse. Is the dog neutered? I would be very wary of anyones motives here.

You and your family will now be very familiar to the dog, probably at least as friendly as the neighbours! - it sounds as if he has settled in well.

Totally agree. The guy has no more right to the dog than you do & as you've had the dog for some time & he's settled in, really it's not fair IMO to rehome him again to anyone that isn't his genuine original owner. As this guy has said he wasn't the actual owner of the dog, why send the dog to another home, he's settled with you & knows you & your family, the neighbour probably didn't have anything to do with the dog or why hasn't he come forward sooner?!

Also, surely the dogs Owner would've had relatives etc that would have sent the dog to the RSPCA or such like? Well, i'd hope so. My opinion is, the guy says he's not the owner so don't give him the dog! Even if he was a neighbour he has no claim on the dog.

foreign_correspondent

Please also be aware that as a staffie this boy is particualrly vulnerable, and may well be sought after by someone who wants to breed him, or to look 'hard', and may not look after him well, or may dump him when the novelty wears off.

Statistically he is more likely to end up in rescue than any other breed, where he is less likely to be rehomed than most other breeds. So many staffies end up being PTS, please do think about this before you think about anyone taking him - you know he is safe and well cared for with your family - can you guaruntee this guy would do the same?

shadej

Yes I agree, its not fair on Ben. But is does make me maybe understand why we found him the way we did. If his owner was sick or unwell, it does explain why he was so skinny and why his nails where so long. But then again this guy could be having me on and trying to get a free dog. I wont let him go until I have proof of ownership.
Surely a dog owner would have photos of them with their dog or at least just a photo of the dog.

foreign_correspondent

even if he did belong to the neighbour, this guy has no claim on the dog - I would not entertain him tbh.

I would imagine in these days of camera phones all dog owners have piccies of their dog - be careful that its not just a similar dog though - lots of dogs look a lot like ben!

UKTigerlily

Definitely echo what FC says above, if I could post a pic of my old Staff/Staff x here you'd see she's identical to him, even in the pose lol

If this guy was a neighbour it wasn't his anyways

twinklie

I agree. Don't let Ben go until there is real proof of ownership. If the guy has a problem with that ask him to prove it through the authorities, but as it wasn't his he would have no claim anyway.

My friend died on the park while walking his dog, a beautiful staffy girl. We used to look after her quite regularly and were heart broken by news of his death. We went to the police, RSPCA and contacted the dog wardens in our area as soon as we got the call from the police (he only had our number on him). We never did find her, but if we did and she was with a loving family such as yours, we would have left her there if they wanted her (despite how much we would have loved to take her in).

It's the not knowing whats happened to her thats hard. But there would be little point in up rooting her for no reason. And I think the same applies to Ben.

fraz_babe

I just read most of this thread. And wow you are so generous . He is gorgeous ! I have 3 staffs. A few months ago we found a staffy, a girl. It was hard for us as we have 3 dogs. But we fed her, and eventually found her original owner. He is such a gorgeous dog. Can i ask where this person found your advertisement from, gumtree etc? As i would be very wary. You dont know who he is and he might not even be the neighbours original owner (sorry it does not make sense i am half asleep LOL). I wish you could keep him, it sounds and looks like your doing a fab job of looking after him. And even if this person is the original owner with proof etc? What says he might not get abused, be underweight again etc . I dont know how anyone can abuse animals especially staffs, they are great animals and ours are part of the family:). Please keep us updated and its great of you for looking after him so far

EDIT : I just re looked at the pictures of Ben. And he is the double of my staffy except my is a fatter & shes a girl.

Hopefully read more if/when you update xx

longforgotten

The guy said 'he is willing to give the dog a home'. I would say thank you for the offer but the dog is happy here.

shadej

Fraz_babe, He saw one of the posters we put up.
I texed him to say we will not be giving Ben to anyone accept his owner.
If his owner did come forward I don't know how we would cope.
Ben is a part of our lives now.
The create came this morning and he has been snooping around it but he wont go in just yet.

sharronloves2spend

Ben seems really settled with you and your family and he's one of the lucky staffies finding such caring responsible people. Please please do not give him to the man. Take some advice from the Rspca, i am sure that if the owner has not come forward within 7 days he can be re-homed(to you of course)

Tell the guy that you've contacted the Rspca and if he is willing to adopt Ben then he can do so through them. He will have to have a home visit and pay an adoption fee, my bets are on him running a mile!!! (then i am a cynical old bag!!)

Staffies all do look similar, i'll post a picture of my girl later and you'll see how alike my Roxy is to your ben!!!

Sharron