Can I keep my ex partners dog?

[AndyBx]

Hi everyone,

I recently separated from my partner, who moved in with me 2 years ago. she moved over from Ireland with her 2 boys and her Jack Russell/Manchester terrier cross called Cody. Anyway the relationship broke down and she moved out in September this year, she left Cody with me until she could find somewhere suitable to live where she could take Cody. Back in June Cody developed a slipped disc we had no insurance for him and were looking at a ridiculous price for an MRI scan and surgery and were told even with that there was no guarantee he would make a recovery, so we went down the medication, cage rest route. At one stage he lost all his back end and i would have to empty his bladder for him, we thought we might lose him, anyway we gave him a couple of weeks before we made any drastic decisions because he was so young (he is 3 now) and he was still very happy. a week after no movement from his back legs we started to notice small movements which got better every day, after a month he was back up walking and falling over a few times. Now hes going out for walks although hes still a bit wobbly at times, hes still on medication and will be for a long time. Iv'e paid all his vet bills and will continue to do so.

Iv'e become very attached to this little dog as you can imagine, i have a large garden for Cody to run and get back to full fitness and i will give him the best medication and exercise that he needs. Iv'e not had any contact from my ex partner because the relationship breakdown was not very nice and i know when she eventually takes him i probably wont see him again, i dread that phone call coming in to say shes coming for him. It could be next week or next year i don't know. Is there any law that says after a certain amount of time i can claim Cody as mine? I would be grateful of any advice anyone can give me.

Thanks,

Andy.

 

[gypsysmum]

Morally, of course, he should be yours. In law I don't think there are any clear cut guidelines. I think he would come under "possessions" although as he was hers to begin with that might count in her favour. Do you think she might have moved on and not be wanting him anymore? With any luck she may be living somewhere that does not allow dogs. All I think you could do is lay out your case, as reasonably as possible, about how settled he is with you etc. You could, also, tell her how delicate he is and how much medication he needs. I would think that a house with children in it would not be right for a dog with his condition.

 

[Biker John]

I would say your only chance if she claimed him would be to stress to her its problems and hope she lets you keep him. If it went to law unfortunately in this country dogs are viewed as chattel, so would be treated the same as say a table, as he was hers before you came together then he would be viewed as still hers.

 

[Johne]

Don't have an answer for you mate & suspect as biker John said he would just be viewed as an item of property. But wish you the best of luck & hope you get to keep him.

 

[4PawsandClaws.co.uk]

If she did try to get him back (which I doubt she would, especially as he has his expensive medical problems), I guess you could just advise you would fight in court for him and hope she would leave it there. I'm, not quite sure what the law would state on this. I guess the only real way to be sure would be to contact her. I would ask if she wants to contribute to his medical fees if she is taking him back or if she will give him up to you...if you can get something in writing to say you can keep him then just keep it safe.

 

[lurcherman]

You've been good to the dog but it's not your dog