Lost Dog Legal Rights

Summary

In Colorado, lost pets are treated as property. Shelters hold them for 5 days before adoption. If not reclaimed, ownership rights may be forfeited. Microchips aid identification, but shelters must make reasonable efforts to contact owners. Consult a local attorney for detailed advice.

Full Conversation

Well long story short our dog got away over a year ago. We reported her lost and we never got her back. Well she ended up at a shelter some how and was adopted out. No one ever contacted but the police said we relinquished our rights and have to give our dog to the new owners
Hi ****, that must be a difficult situation. Can you tell me in which state this occurred? The laws vary from state to state and that will help me provide the most relevant information.
Colorado
In Colorado:
- Lost pets are generally considered property.
- If found and reported to animal control, they're held for 5 days before adoption.
- If you didn't reclaim in this period, your ownership might be void.
- However, consult a local attorney for accurate advice.
Ok
Hello ****, I understand your situation is challenging.
In Colorado:
- Pets are typically treated as property under the law.
- Animal shelters usually hold lost pets for 5 days before they can be adopted.
- If you didn't reclaim your pet within this time, you might have forfeited your ownership rights.
- I recommend consulting with a local attorney for precise advice.
Once she was at the sheltet no one contacted us
I understand your concern, ****. However, in Colorado, the shelter may not be legally required to notify the original owners. But there may be exceptions. It's best to consult with a local attorney to explore any potential remedies.
What is the point of a microchip if they dont have to contact us
The microchip is primarily for identification purposes. In Colorado:
- Shelters must make a reasonable effort to contact the owner if the pet is microchipped.
- However, the definition of 'reasonable effort' varies.
- If the chip's contact information was out of date, it could justify non-contact.
Again, a local lawyer can provide detailed advice.
It was up to date but okay thanks
I understand your frustration, ****. This is a complex situation. I strongly recommend you to seek advice from a local attorney who specializes in property law or pet law. They can guide you based on all the facts and potentially help you to resolve this issue.