Contract of Pet Ownership

BeenieCat

Hi, having some issues with a (probably soon to be ex) partner at the moment over the ownership of our dog.

He states he will take her when he leaves and as he has no home will sell her/give her away (rather than let me keep her). My son has grown very much attached to our 6 month pup so i will fight to keep her, of course.

When we bought her he withdrew the cash which i then transferred to his account with ref "Dog" but i'm very much aware this wouldn't be enough to prove ownership. The dog is chipped in his name but my address.

He has since signed a piece of paper stating i can keep the dog, but i would like to know if there is a template anywhere which i can print and get him to sign which would help me out if the matter went to police/courts.

Although he is now saying i can have her, i don't trust him, so would like some kind of piece of mind in knowing i can keep her, without involving solicitors at this stage.

foreign_correspondent

What the law says is one thing, what people will do is another. If he sticks the dog in his car and goes, I doubt you would practically be able to stop him, and I doubt the police would come rushing out.

Firstly, I would get her microchipped, and register her to your name and address, it doesnt prove ownership but it could be useful for ID purposes if he did sell her or pass her on. ETA - sorry, I see she has already been chipped - would he change the details help on the chipping companies database to your name? That would, in case of future disputes show that he did agree to you having her.

Secondly, as he is currently saying you can have her, I would be tempted to put the pup out of his way, until he has moved out in case he decides to change his mind again (perhaps you coud leave her with a friend or something).

If he is a manipulative person, he may well use the dog as a tool for manipulaion, and a lot of times pets are threatedned etc when domestic violence is a factor. If this is the case in your relationship then womens aid may well be able to advise, or even, in some areas offer a temporary foster place for the dog. Free 24 hour helpline - 0808 2000 247

Is the dog from a rescue at all - they may be able to advise, and if she is he would probably be breaking their contract if he sold her or passed her on.


Best of luck

fc x

BeenieCat

Thanks for the response, i doubt he'd go to the trouble of changing the name on the chip, he's more likely to change his mind if it involves anything proactive.

She's not from a rescue we got her from a (one time) breeder and he reckons the bloke we got her from would back him up (he doesn't even know him, we found him in the Ad Trader).

The dog is at my sisters at the minute, but i need to collect her today and have nowhere she can go for longer.


edit: The fact she is at my sisters is winding him up even more, and this is when he starts saying he's taking her. He actually called the local police station for advise earlier but they said they'd call him back and he's gone out.

foreign_correspondent

ok well maybe something like this would do it:

[SIZE=+2]Agreement to Transfer Ownership of Dog[/SIZE]

This Agreement to Transfer Ownership of Dog ("Agreement") is entered into on this __________ day of___________, 200__. I, _______________________________, owner of the below described Dog, do hereby permanently and irrevocably transfer ownership of the dog to (YOUR NAME). By executing this Agreement, I acknowledge that I am irreversibly relinquishing to (YOUR NAME) any and all right, title, and ownership that I had or may have had with respect to the Dog. I further acknowledge that I am the owner of the Dog and that I am fully authorized to enter into this Agreement.

Description of Dog:

Breed: __________________ Registration #: ________________
Name: _________________ Microchip #: _________________

I have just cribbed this from here:http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/intakeform.htm

and I think it would suffice legally. I cant see any reason why it shouldnt, (I also think if he has signed anything written at all saying that he has passed the dog onto you, it would do) My adoption form, for my rescue dog says something similar. You could fill in all the related bits (I have amended a few bits, I am guessing your dog wont have an ID tattoo, so have altered it to include the dogs name instead)

BeenieCat

Thank you :T:T Now all i have to do is mend the printer

I will put this to him later today if i can print it.

Many thanks

foreign_correspondent

Before you print, please remember to insert you name where I have typed (YOURNAME) !

Personally, I would fill in all the blanks and have it ready for him to sign when he is feeling amenable.

I hope this is right, I am no expert on the law, but I think it should cover it!

BeenieCat

I've put it into Word and tidied it up, all the bits i have added like the date and names are in bold so all he needs to do is sign it. Thanks again, it's great

foreign_correspondent

oh, I just spotted this bit, further down - sorry, I would add this too for IDing the dog:
Age: __________________ Color: __________________Sex:________________ Neutered? ________ Spayed? _________