Repossesing a Puppy

jmincy · 08-29-2010, 09:24 PM

So, I know most breeders have clauses about first right of refusal for resale of a puppy, and right to reposses clauses for cases of abuse or neglect. I do as well, but I have never even had to threaten it before now. I sold a puppy out of state and...well, lets just say there are significant enough issues that total strangers have gotten a hold of me to tell me about him.

So, my question is, have any of you ever had to reposses a dog, and if so how much real legal grounds does the purchase contract hold?

Thanks for any insight.

Jax08 · 08-29-2010, 09:29 PM

Have you tried to have someone buy him back for you? There was another thread I was reading and that was suggested then.

How do you prove abuse? Have the AC come in? At that point, do they then have custody?

Liesje · 08-29-2010, 10:25 PM

Unfortunately I think like many contracts it only holds as much power as you are willing to challenge in court. But, maybe a threat from your lawyer outlining the contract would be enough.

jmincy · 08-29-2010, 10:44 PM

I just found out she may be willing to give me the dog back. Just gotta get transportation from Michigan. Turns out she has terminal cancer and is looking for a home for him.

onyx'girl · 08-29-2010, 10:46 PM

Very sad for the owner and the dog...I hope he ends up in a great forever home. What part of MI is he in?

jmincy · 08-30-2010, 09:40 PM

Muskegon, not sure where that is, I thought near Dearborn?

Stosh · 08-30-2010, 09:46 PM

My parents raised Norwegian Elkhounds when I was a kid- and that was a long time ago- and my mom repossessed two pups that I remember because of unsafe conditions. Very sad situation for your pup and the new owner- best to take it back. The breeder we bought from has in the contract that they want to be the first one the buyer contacts if they can't keep the pup.

jmincy · 08-30-2010, 09:52 PM

I do have a first right of refusal clause in all of my puppy contracts, I just have limited time and very little communication, not to mention about 1300 miles, so if she doesn't cooperate it would be extremely difficult at best. I'm hoping she plays nice.

onyx'girl · 08-30-2010, 09:57 PM

Muskegon is on the Lake Michigan shoreline. About 3 hours from the Indiana border. Maybe you can arrange transport/2 or 3 hour legs to get him closer to you. Otherwise the http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MI221.html GSDMI may be able to help re-homing the dog in MI.

jmincy · 08-31-2010, 08:47 PM

UPDATE: I found out that the puppy is no longer with the owner, a rescuer has placed him in a home in Illinois. I have emailed the rescue and asked for her cooperation, but no info yet. Any recomendations?

08-29-2010, 09:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
jmincy Master Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Heart of Texas Posts: 819	Repossesing a Puppy So, I know most breeders have clauses about first right of refusal for resale of a puppy, and right to reposses clauses for cases of abuse or neglect. I do as well, but I have never even had to threaten it before now. I sold a puppy out of state and...well, lets just say there are significant enough issues that total strangers have gotten a hold of me to tell me about him. So, my question is, have any of you ever had to reposses a dog, and if so how much real legal grounds does the purchase contract hold? Thanks for any insight. __________________ Jeffrey I hope one day that I can be half the man that my GSD thinks I am.

08-29-2010, 10:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Liesje Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 12,962	Unfortunately I think like many contracts it only holds as much power as you are willing to challenge in court. But, maybe a threat from your lawyer outlining the contract would be enough. __________________ UCH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop FO OB1 CL1R CL1F RA TT HIT TDI CGC VPC's Coca-Cola HIT CGC SG UCH Alta-Tollhaus Bono SchH1 AD T1 FO PA CL1R UNJ UCA HIT TT CGC OFA SG Pantalaimon vom Geistwasser BH AD HIT CGC

08-29-2010, 10:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
jmincy Master Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Heart of Texas Posts: 819	I just found out she may be willing to give me the dog back. Just gotta get transportation from Michigan. Turns out she has terminal cancer and is looking for a home for him. __________________ Jeffrey I hope one day that I can be half the man that my GSD thinks I am.

08-29-2010, 10:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 17,605	Very sad for the owner and the dog...I hope he ends up in a great forever home. What part of MI is he in? __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

08-30-2010, 09:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
jmincy Master Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Heart of Texas Posts: 819	Muskegon, not sure where that is, I thought near Dearborn? __________________ Jeffrey I hope one day that I can be half the man that my GSD thinks I am.

08-29-2010, 09:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 14,321	Have you tried to have someone buy him back for you? There was another thread I was reading and that was suggested then. How do you prove abuse? Have the AC come in? At that point, do they then have custody?

08-30-2010, 09:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
Stosh Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tyler texas Posts: 8,434	My parents raised Norwegian Elkhounds when I was a kid- and that was a long time ago- and my mom repossessed two pups that I remember because of unsafe conditions. Very sad situation for your pup and the new owner- best to take it back. The breeder we bought from has in the contract that they want to be the first one the buyer contacts if they can't keep the pup.

08-30-2010, 09:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
jmincy Master Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Heart of Texas Posts: 819	I do have a first right of refusal clause in all of my puppy contracts, I just have limited time and very little communication, not to mention about 1300 miles, so if she doesn't cooperate it would be extremely difficult at best. I'm hoping she plays nice. __________________ Jeffrey I hope one day that I can be half the man that my GSD thinks I am.

08-30-2010, 09:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 17,605	Muskegon is on the Lake Michigan shoreline. About 3 hours from the Indiana border. Maybe you can arrange transport/2 or 3 hour legs to get him closer to you. Otherwise the http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MI221.html GSDMI may be able to help re-homing the dog in MI. __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

08-31-2010, 08:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
jmincy Master Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Heart of Texas Posts: 819	UPDATE: I found out that the puppy is no longer with the owner, a rescuer has placed him in a home in Illinois. I have emailed the rescue and asked for her cooperation, but no info yet. Any recomendations? __________________ Jeffrey I hope one day that I can be half the man that my GSD thinks I am.

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