Question
My fiance and I were contacted to pick up a puppy or it would have been homeless. We were told the puppy was left outside of the owner's home in a kennel and the owner was not returning. We took the puppy home, bathed him, fed him, made him comfortable. Three days later, the owner contacts us asking for the puppy back. He stated he was gone for two days and came back to find his puppy was gone. He demanded to have us return the puppy or else. We were frightened and didn't know what else to do, therefore we returned the puppy. We are concerned with the well-being of the puppy staying with this owner. Is or was there anything else we should have done?
Answer
It is against the law to abuse or neglect an animal. People who suspect that an animal is being neglected or otherwise mistreated can contact the police and other local law enforcement officers. Some humane societies and SPCAs (societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals) have this authority too and will investigate allegations concerning the mistreatment of an animal. Sometimes people who are not bonded with their animal will agree to sell the animal so that may still be an option too.
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