Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Texas

I found a dog and posted listings fir him on craigslist and put up fliers. After two weeks, I took him to the vet & got all his shots. Nobody responded to any of my ads, so after a month I took them down. Now I've had him for about 6 weeks and cops came to my work asking about him. All of the sudden, someone is looking for him! I've fallen in live with him and don't want to give him back. My question is.... In Amarillo Texas, when is a pet considered abandoned property & what should my course of action be?


Asked on 10/31/12, 11:28 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ken Gober (Austin TX) Lee, Gober & Reyna

Ok, there is a legal answer and a moral answer here.

Legally: On the abandonment issue, I think you will have a tough job proving that the owner abandoned because the owner will show all they did to find the dog...which ultimately worked.

Morally: I understand your attachment, I am a dog owner myself...but if you developed such a deep attachment after only 6 weeks, imagine how the original owner feels.

Perhaps that best outcome is you agree to return the dog and ask the owner to pay for the vet bill (you do have a good legal claim for this..."unjust enrichment").

Good Luck!

Read more
Answered on 11/01/12, 2:15 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Real Estate and Real Property questions and answers in Texas