I need to vent and some advice!

[mshill90]

I've got a 2.5 yr pitbull which I was originally adopted from the local, money hungry shelter. He was 4 months old when adopted out.

The owners after having him for 2 months noticed he was losing hair, and they thought it was mange. They couldn't afford treatments, so they were going to have him put down.

I took him in at 7 months old- he was better with some meds for a few months, and then his skin started getting worse and worse. Losing all his fur, oozing raw skin...

Then, he was better.. then worse.. this went on and on up until now.

He started out his peak weight at 40lbs. He's now down to 25lbs. He sleeps all day, and it's like I don't even have a dog because he's just well, asleep.

He's been through meds, holistic approaches, allergy testing, blood testing.. etc..

I called the shelter today and told them that I want to have him euthanized so that he doesn't have to suffer anymore. They told me that I need to return him, and that he's too young to euthanize regardless of his issue, and that they have been trying to track him down to 2 years!

They told me they have in record I found him as a stray, and I was given permission to foster him, but then I took off and couldn't be found. Which is so untrue..

I don't have any idea what to do?! I am so upset and angry at these people!!!

They want me to return him to then asap, as I do not have permission to house him. (Note, I signed paperwork -they say they dont have- and I haven't moved since I've had this dog. So they could contact me.)

He is MY dog regardless of being a shelter dog or not. I have literally put my blood, sweat, and tears into doing everything I can for this dog, and having to put him down is the worst thing I've ever had to think about.

Should I look into getting a lawyer?

 

[Jon M]

Not if you don't have that paperwork you signed... :/ ****ty situation. I hate reading stuff like this. Poor pappers.

 

[Crunchy]

Hopefully you have a copy of the adoption paperwork. They can't touch him (or you) if you do. If they have no copy of paper work (which they would need in order to prove that you were just fostering him) then I would just claim that he's a stray that I found and they are trying to steal my dog. If you think putting him down would be best for him, I would talk to his primary vet to see what they think. Oozing raw skin sounds like a hot spot which is a bacterial infection. The loss of weight could be from multiple things, I'm sure you had him checked for worms (tape, round and hart) and as far as hair loss, it could be a thyroid problem too. I don't know if you're comfortable with it, but could you post pictures?

 

[pshtex]

if they have no adoption or fostering paper work then the dog escaped their facility and they filed no missing/escaped dog paper work they are negligent i would imagine, and u found him and started to take care of him. plus u can prove that u have not moved in the last two years so they are caught in a lie. if u have all the medical receipts or can get a hold of the vet file on this dog and the money u spent on him over the last two years i think u can prove it is your dog. i doubt they would take you to court. y did u contact the shelter to put him down??? u should have just gone to the vet u have been going to to do it.

 

[mshill90]

I Have had him checked for thyroid, bacterial issues etc.. I've done the full panel tests at about $600 each. All his levels are showing normal. I've used different kinds of holistic meds, foods etc.. nothing is working, and I feel that he's telling me he just wants to go- dog's don't sleep 20 hours a day like he does.

The local shelter doesn't give copies of adoption papers. I know this because my friend has 2 rescues from them, and she doesn't have papers either.

I have emails from the original owner surrendering ownership to me.

I contacted the shelter because they are the only facility that offers euthanization for less than $250. His primary vet is $300, plus office visit, plus $100 for communal cremation (meaning you don't get the ashes.). I simply don't have this amount of money after spending thousands less than a month ago on him.

I at this point I think I am going to find a vet office- have him put down, and then if the shelter contacts me, I will tell them that they have the wrong number, or that I have no idea what they are talking about. I never had a shelter dog.

 

[mshill90]

if they have no adoption or fostering paper work then the dog escaped their facility and they filed no missing/escaped dog paper work they are negligent i would imagine, and u found him and started to take care of him. plus u can prove that u have not moved in the last two years so they are caught in a lie. if u have all the medical receipts or can get a hold of the vet file on this dog and the money u spent on him over the last two years i think u can prove it is your dog. i doubt they would take you to court. y did u contact the shelter to put him down??? u should have just gone to the vet u have been going to to do it.

They only have adoption papers from the original adopters, even though I signed adoption papers because they even took a copy of my fiance's license for proof of ID.

 

[mshill90]

Pics!

 

[SumoNinja]

geez poor little guy

hope it all works out for you, at least the dog was cared for by a loving owner

 

[krichardson]

He/she does look to be wasting away and it's a shame you can't get a handle on whatever the problem is...especially after all of the money you have spent.Take the dog to another vet to have it put down and be done with that shelter.

 

[xenia]

poor guy i hope you get everything worked out we had a dog that had mange it was horrible we had to put him to sleep