My Shih Tzu, Heidi was like my child Options

[shihtzumom]

My shih tzu Heidi was like a child to me. Two years ago a former friend of my finance gave Heidi to me because he and his mother no longer wanted her and couldn't take care of her anymore. She was four months old and took to me quickly. I immediately fell in love with her. I went through a period of sever depression and Heidi kept me from delving into the depths of dispair. The former friend ended up scaming us and lying to us and being an all around awful person. After about two years of no contact, he started harassing us to get Heidi back in order to make us suffer. Despite my two years of care and love for Heidi and numerous medical bills due to an illness she had, the cops and this former friend showed up tonight and took my precious Heidi away. They said legally, despite that I took care of Heidi almost all her life, she is his property. He has had nothing to do with her for two years and the bills I've paid for her cost more than he spend on her to begin with. I not only lost my beloved dog but I will recieve no repayment for all of her medical cost. For all my love, care, and money I feel I have no legal rights to Heidi. I adore Heidi and I'm really heartbroken and I want her back so badly. I can't stop crying- she is like a child to me. How could such an injustice be done? What can I legally do? Please help me, I'm desperate.

[shadded dreams]

How horrible that must be!!! I am sitting here with tears in my eyes right now. The pain you are feeling must be so awful!! I have no legal advice for you, but I want you to know that I am feeling for you. Why did you have no legal rights to her? Who registered her tags? Who took her to the vet? None of it makes any sense. When she had her rabies, did you register her tags under someone else? To have your dog taken is almost as bad as losing one to death! Plenty of us know how you feel here. If you get lonely in this room, and want to talk more, please come and post in the death, dying and support room. All the poeple in there are wonderful, and caring. And, I'm curious what our Administrator, MD will have to say on this matter!! You have come to the right place to vent, and grieve. It is truly as you have lost a loved one to death, as her good life with you is dead now. This man must be a horrible, cold hearted, conniving, uncaring person!! I am truly so sad for you, really I am. The only thing I can say to you is, one day..the pain won't hurt nearly as much. I know you don't believe me, but I know. I lost my wonderful little sheltie mix to death just 2 months ago. I thought my heart had been ripped out!! I didn't know how I would be able to go on with life, and how I would function without my best friend. But, here I am now 2 months later, a new puppy momma, and still breathing. The pain gets less every day. Just keep your memories, and get out your pictures, don't be afraid to remember. Remember the good times, and never give up hope that she may come back to you someday. If you feel you'd like to talk more, come visit us in the death dying support, the people there are wonderful, as is the Admin (MD). Take care, and remember, it's ok to grieve, and be sad, we understand you. Please come in and read our posts, and read our stories, and you will know we all understand ...........Zippers Momma

[shihtzumom]

Actually, I did register her rabies vac. tags under my name as well as all of her vet bills. It is just that this person and the police came to our house and acted like my fiance and I stole this dog, who was given to us. I mean, these people (the former friend and his mother) were going to abadon her when I took her in and then two years later they act like I'm a criminal for taking her in. I bought her the best dog food, I carried her everywhere with me, I gave hours of attention every night when I got home from the university where I go to school and work. My entire family adored her, they even bought her Christmas and birthday presents. Heidi never wanted or lacked for attention in my care and now I don't know how these horrible people are treating her. I'm crying right now. Thank you for your reply because it helps to have someone understand what I'm suffering.

[LittleGirl's...]

{{{{Heidi's Mom}}}},

I just read your post and my jaw dropped. What an awful, terrifying nightmare for both you and Heidi.

Are you sure you don't have legal rights? Could you check with a lawyer(s) over the phone--some lawyers give quick advice over the phone, or hire one if you have to, or take other legal means? Wow, it just seems to me that you would have all legal rights to Heidi. A few years back, when I was afraid that an ex of mine might try to take my cat Mariah back from me (she was originally his)---just to exert his control---I checked with the local "animal control" guys and he told me that since she had been in my possession for (I forget how long, but I think it was something like 2 - 3 weeks) ____, that she was legally mine. I don't know if that was true, because i never had to find out! And I live in Maine, so I don't know if the laws are different where you are.

Also, maybe a TV station in your area would do a story for you. The publicity might really help. Or a newspaper feature. Others on this group will probably have a lot of other ideas. I know it will help to have everyone's point of view and suggestions.

This must be such a nightmare!!!!!! Let us know what you find out. I am sending prayers that Heidi gets returned to you soon. GOOD LUCK!

Sending you strength,
Kathy

[SJ J & S]

I would say that if you are going to fight that you need to start do%%enting everything now. Collect any do%%ents you can from the vet ie when you first registered Heidi, when I first had my two we had to but a licence which was 18 years ago and it was stopped the following year but I don’t know if you guys have anything like that over there.

Did the police produce a warrant what were their names, you must write down as much as you can remember now before you forget and start getting confused.
Did the police do anything that you can complain about.

I would have thought that something was going on before the police just turned up.

In England we have a Citizens Advice Bureau or Legal Aid, go to the police station where the cops came from and ask what you can do to get Heidi back.

Also if you don’t think he will treat her right then maybe you should report him, over here we have the Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals, who I'm sure would be able to advise about getting Heidi back as well.

I'm not much help I'm afraid with whom to contact in America but I would start with asking the police that took her away.
Good Luck
Sue

[Muffins]

I am very sorry to hear about your beloved Heidi.....

After TWO LONG YEARS these "people" came in & took your Heidi away?????

I would do exactly what Sue suggested that you do...

We have the "American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" (ASPCA). I cannot imagine that these people have
any right at all to Heidi, after "giving her up" to you after four months. Every City/County has Legal Aid as well.

And Kathy is correct in advising you to contact a local TV Station; I know that in Massachusetts, our TV stations are willing to help people in any way that they can....

Yes, they took your Heidi, but as far as all of us know, she is alive & well.

I would start by calling the Police, and try like Hell to get Heidi back...

I don't stand for any of this; not if someone is innocent....

You have every right to get your Heidi back; perhaps have your veterinarian write a letter in your defense; that you took good/great care of her, etc.....

Please let us know what has been going on....we all do care; very much!!!


You need to start (I'm sure you have) writing down EVERYTHING YOU CAN REMEMBER....From the most recent events and then go back.... Take your time and just keep writing.....

You're in my prayers,

Love, Denise

[shihtzumom]

I reread my post and realize that I did leave a few things out. First, the man who had the police take Heidi away had been harassing and cyberstalking my fiance for a few weeks, threatening us. The cops would not act on it because it was email. My fiance could not change his email address until the end of the semester because his students email him through it (we are both 24 year old grad students who teach at the university). We had pressed charges against this man about a year and a half ago over a scam that we were his victims. He moved away and we thought all was well. Until, about two weeks ago when he started emailing my fiance threatening to sue us for Heidi. We told him he had no right to do so and we discussed the case with a police officer who said that the dog was a civil matter and not a police matter so they would not get involved. However, the bad man kept calling the police and I belive they agreed to do what he wanted in order to get him to leave them alone. The town I'm from is a corrupt little southern town that is just about as bad as all the sterotypes- the cops and mayor, etc... are as crooked as the crooks. In fact, the officer who accompanied the man to our house when they took Heidi away is well known for taking bribes. I have contacted PETA and the humane society and my fiance and I are gathering information for a lawyer. I'm still heartbroken and I'm worried sick about how she is doing. I am very thankful for all of your advice and support.

[shadded dreams]

I am glad to hear that you are not going to stand by and let this go!! Someone who cares must fight for Heidi!! Good luck in your fight! It will be a tough one, but you will make it. Love is on your side!! Did you save the e-mails? Did you save your police report from the scam? It's all good evidence against the evil man!! Keep us posted as to what is going on, we're all rooting for you!!---Zippers Momma