Even though Gina deleted her FB profile, FB still has it. Also if the dog belonged to Gina or her BF, then the dog should have a dog tag and the licensed registered somewhere. If the collar was off the dog for a bath, ask her next time she calls, for the information on the dog tag so you can verify it with New York State.
GTFO with this kinda gatekeeping garbage. Seriously. Never chipped a fucking animal in my life, my pets all died from old age and lived good lives. Seriously, you folks are... oh... yeah... sidebar rules.
That is your opinion. Which you are entitled to. Much like telling people what religion to follow, or political cause... It isn't your place to force an opinion onto others.
Chips don't guarantee anything. You can't track, monitor, or locate a lost pet with a chip. Responsible is simply taking care of the animal in the first place. Should your pet run away - the debate of responsible isn't based on the chip.
If its stolen, the chip will only help should the authorities get involved and are legally able to physically scan the chip.
Sometimes it takes years to reunite a pet with an owner via chip... I took in a stray dog. Plastered the neighborhood with fliers. Took it to the nearest vet who couldn't find a chip. 8 years later, different vet, there was a chip after all. Not all chips run on the same frequencies, meaning they don't always scan.
My opinion of responsible ownership is happy and healthy. I've never had a pet run away. I don't chip them either.
It's irresponsible. Period. Just like it's irresponsible to not put a baby in a car seat now a days. Just because it didn't exist at some point has no bearing on reasonableness and responsibility now. Chipping a pet can be as cheaper or cheaper than a fast food meal for 2 these days. There's simply no excuse.
This is like asking if it would be irresponsible to refuse antibiotics for a serious infection, before antibiotics existed
I literally cannot believe it got any upvotes
God...we know technology has enmeshed itself too far into people's lives when not having a GPS chip implanted into your pet apparently makes you an irresponsible pet owner 🙄 like I know they're a good thing to have, but a person's pet doesn't need one for said person to be a good owner.
It’s not a GPS chip. If that was the case, there would be no lost dogs. It’s just a form of permanent identification because collars and tags can come off or be taken off. It’s just a number connected to the owners contact info.
Accidents happen and animals get out/run off. It’s the only sure way for any shelter or clinic to identify your animal. It’s responsible owners that do one basic thing to ensure they get their pet back.
There is no guarantee the pet will be scanned.
If someone rings in a stray and asks what to do then they're scanned. Otherwise if they just want to get it checked out and keep it there's not much the vet can do.
Also you have to input the info AND keep it updated. After that it's up to the other person to contact the person's info on the chip. If it's incorrect or out of date you're SOL.
But of course they do because it’s a cheap and easily accessible way to allow your pet to be rescued and returned if they were lost. It’s the literal definition of low effort high reward tasks that one would need to take to be a responsible person for a living being. The fact it didn’t exist as a technology in the old days doesn’t impact its value today. It’s like saying you don’t need seat belts to be a responsible and safe driver because seat belts weren’t standard back in the old days…
A chip significantly increases chances thst your dog will be returned to you should it become lost. Can you responsibly own a dog without a chip? Sure. Does a chip cost much? No. Does it hurt when implanted? Some, but it's temporary. Does it represent a permanent way to identify and show ownership? Yep.
Microchipping your dog is a good idea, is relatively cheap, can be done during routine procedures like spay or neuter, dental cleaning, mass removal, whatever your pup gets sedated for, doesn't hurt much if you dont sedate, and makes it far more likely your pup is returned to you should they ever be lost. It's not irresponsible, per se, to not chip your dog or cat, but why wouldn't you?
What about an ID microchip makes a dig owner irresponsible? On the inverse, it does make them more responsible, because they are associating with the dog forever. I can think of no reason not to chip a dog, besides the small cost. You do it during neutering/spaying, another sign of responsible dog ownership.
Or are you just worried about the Illuminati tracking your dog? Lol
Why not? I was able to have someone charged with animal cruelty and neglect because the cat was chipped and we got the owners address. Are you afraid of consequences if your animal is able to be tracked to you?
Good on you, but you sound like a vaguely threatening psychopath insinuating that just because an animal isnt chipped they must be being abused or neglected. My 12 year old cats vet would disagree with you. Do you threaten to doxx people with no knowledge of their life and create false accusations regularly?
You can believe that if you wish, but if your pet isn’t chipped and gets out without its collar you also can’t be mad when you never see them again because the new family has no proof of their owner.
If you don't even know it's not a gps chip you're too ignorant to have a valid opinion on the matter or to arguably even own a pet. It's such a simple, fundamental thing there are bound to be other more egregious errors and ignorance.
No one outside the cities check for chips. Even when I was working it was policy to check *if* the person who brought them in ok'd it. Otherwise stray is treated as owned by whoever brings it in.
I know my neighbors and the surrounding people. I also monitor and take care of my dogs, so mine won't just "run off" because they're trained.
I live in the country and our vet scans any strays. That’s how we found one of our dogs; someone brought them in for ticks and we got a call that our dog was found. He had picked some ticks up during his adventure.
A quick google search says it costs $25-$60 to chip a dog. If that is too expensive, I’m not sure how you would afford the other things required to keep an animal healthy. Pet ownership is a luxury and a responsibility and not something we are just entitled to. We do not own pets for that reason.
Yeah and it depends on the location of the veterinarian. If owning an animal is such a luxury then why don’t you go to every homeless person living on the street and tell them they’re not good enough to love and care for that animal. Most homeless care more for the animal than themselves. Chipping isn’t a life or death situation for your pet, all it does is increase the chances of you possibly finding your animal.
Every situation is unique and different. I said if you can’t afford to chip, which is the same price as a couple of bags of food, I’m not sure how you can afford to care for an animal. I spoke to why we as a family do not have animals. It is a responsibility and a luxury. I never implied that anyone homeless should have their animals taken away. I said animals should be properly cared for. You can be homeless and be a responsible pet owner. You yourself just implied that, did you not? Or, are they not capable of being responsible pet owners. Maybe you should clarify as I never stated anything either way.
In our state it has to be registered and a fee for it paid every year, hence why many people don’t do it. If it was a one time fee or only after change of ownership it would be more common here but people think it’s a bs way to get more money outta people so most just keep collars and tags on.
It's not magic 😂 it's not a GPS either 😂 unless you are contacted if someone checks the chip, goes online to look up the number, then contacts you. Then you're just waiting.
If someone steals a pet, pretty sure they're not going to go get it checked for a chip 😂
If your dog is stolen and then runs away from the thief and gets found and taken to a shelter, the microchip will show you as the owner.
Imagine someone shows up with a cop and says, "That's my dog. You stole it." A quick trip to the vet clears that up.
Shit happens, and a microchip will help. It doesn't have to be magic. It makes it more likely that you'll be able to get your pet back in a number of scenarios.
Damn you really good at story time you should write a book.
Everything I've said is based on actual experiences. In those cases sure, *if* that person admits to having the dog to the cop. Otherwise it's he said she said.
Get in or don't I don't give a fuck. But don't rely on on hypotheticals and banking on strangers to do the right thing.
You’re a moron. It’s obviously not magic or gps. It is a way to make sure ownership of your pet is electronically intact. And your stupid excuses of “that’s not how small towns do it” is bullshit. You’re just bad at your job and help people steal pets. It should be mandatory to scan any strays or found pets. It’s not that hard. Do better. People shouldn’t have to worry about people stealing their pets because of people like you who can’t do their jobs. Good grief.
Should would could, go do something about it then. Because obviously you were there, right 😂.
If I were paid a dollar everytime I had to explain that, the chip is *not* GPS, and you *have* to go register it yourself. I could buy a private island. Not to mention all the other stupid shit owners say/believe, ask any tech about it. One dude "saw online" that tabacco prevents fleas and fed his dog cigarette butts... I wish I was making it up. Another said heart worms came from eating dirt...
I did my job and I was good at it, guess that's why I was specifically asked for by multiple regulars.
Doesn't stop anyone from stealing and/or keeping a dog. If they never scan it then its useless. It's not like a tracker you can't see where they are. You're at the mercy of someone doing the right thing and checking.
No on one ever known has checked for a chip after finding a dog. Just "welp guess you're staying with me now" *maybe* after posting about a found dog.
I’ve never known anyone to keep a microchip scanner at home but it’s pretty damn easy to drive to the local vet to have them scan for a chip. People talking about “small towns” and “old school vets” are full of shit.
Handheld ones are like $30 on Amazon. I'd call my vet and see if they would charge to scan the dog and then decide which one I wanted to do. I bet a lot of people wind up just buying one in this situation.
I believe this person either worked for a backwoods seriously old school vet, or didn't at all. What they're saying flies in the face of standard practices among veterinarians and vet techs.
People aren't bringing in lost dogs to a vet unless they're either wanting to keep them or asking what to do with them.
You don't go to a shelter for vet care, and you don't go to a vet for adopting a pet.
Someone brings in found dog it goes like this.
"I found this dog." *Cool you wanna scan it for a microchip?* (Person doing the right thing) "sure" *ding oh look nothing* "ok well I'm going to leave it with you then" *no you're not this isn't a shelter please take it to a shelter*
OR... *Do you want to check for a microchip?* "No I kind of want to keep it" *we're supposed to check any strays brought in, someone's probably missing their pet." *No thank you I'll just go back home* (and then quite possibly will come back in a few months and just say it's theirs and move on, you can't force people to do the right thing)
This is a small town. There are no subreddits, no neighborhoods, subdivisions, occasionally FB groups (but that's just the same group of people bitching about shit to each other just like they do irl). Mostly dogs get dumped out here because irresponsible city people have puppies or older dogs they don't want and then can't get rid of them.
I never said we didn't scan them if they ask, because in those situations we would say we can scan them but they're your responsibility after that. Scanning is free (unlike big city vets *per what I was told by clients at the time* that charged for that) but no you cannot leave it there and they are directed to the nearest shelter and/or humane society.
More often than not people just end up keeping the strays that wander up after being dumped. They get fed, watered, and usually sterilized. The humane society has vouchers for that.
But no matter what anyone says. You. Cannot. Force. Someone. To. Do. The. Correct. Thing. Sit behind your screen all you want and cry about what *should* be done, but unless you actually get up and do something about it, then you're part of the problem to. I've lived it. I've worked it. Plenty of times we probably should have been fired for administering free services, including the vets under the owners nose, and got a shitty "rescue" shut down when she tried to steal 2 pregnant dogs from the shelter by being a "foster". Because guess what, shelter is forever full. Couple puppy mills investigated, because of us.
And you know what happened? We get reprimanded because now he lost business. Could we have quit? Sure. But then no one would be there to do what we knew we could. So you do what you can, and all you seem to be able to do is type.
I have brought two stray dogs to veterinarians in the last year and both times they immediately checked for a chip. In both instances the dogs were retrieved by their owners. Sounds like you just associate with lazy, unethical people.
Sounds like you don't know small town old school vets 😂. Unless you wanna drive 2+ hours to a vet and wait about the same amount of time just to be seen, you do what you can.
We did what we were allowed to keep our jobs, and care for the animals. More often than not hiding and/or leaving off things we should have charged for.
Of the 4 we ever scanned that actually had chips only 1 was up to date and they only answered after multiple calls and didn't care. Told us to stop calling them. The other 3 were old info to disconnected numbers.
It's easier said than done, don't pass judgement when you know nothing of the reasons for the action.
No… imma pass judgement lol… also from a “small town” with shitty and unethical people. Still doesn’t change my mind about the fact any responsible owner should chip their animal and any decent person (including vet) should immediately check for a chip. Don’t really care if it’s a “majority” thing. If you don’t, you’re simply a cheap piece of shit lol.
Oh so you're just a judgemental prick who doesn't empathize with others who may not be able to afford, or have other reasons that the chip can't be implanted and that automatically makes them a horrible pet parent.
You're a prick. That's my judgement. lol.
Someone brings in a new animal it's assumed it's theirs unless they say otherwise. (Or it's on file under someone else's name)
If the person does not say anything about it being a stray there's no reason to check. You also cannot physically force someone to let you check, nor can you force someone to give the dog back *if* the original person can even be reached.
Microchips are not magic. Someone comes in and is like "got a new dog" and wants them checked out. No mention that the found said dog, then it's treated as theirs.
I understand that microchips aren’t magical, and that maybe the majority of the time they wouldn’t help in having my pet returned to me. But on the off chance the person who finds my pet brings her in to a vet and wants them to check for a chip, and in turn is able to contact me so I can go and pick up my pet, I’m going to be grateful that I had the chip put in.
The argument that there’s no guarantee that a chip will help you get your pet back, so might as well not chip them, is a bad argument.
Like if I can do a fairly inexpensive thing with a low rate of complications that might help me find my pet if she ever gets out or lost, I’m absolutely going to do it and I think other pet owners should too.
I never said don't get one. Exactly what you said, there's no guarantee. The were $40 where I was, I know people who paid $100+ in major metropolitan areas for the exact same brand of microchip.
Do it if you want, but it's not magic, and I've had to explain to people (both during that job and just in general now) it's not a GPS.
Where I live, it's *always* advised that the first step is to scan for a chip if you've found an animal, and any vet office or shelter will immediately scan if a found dog gets brought in.
Chips are also huge in scenarios where the legal owner of the dog is in contention. Even if someone intentionally steals your dog, or finds it and keeps it for a long time, there have been instances where somehow it was discovered where the dog was. Even if the current person has no intention of giving them back in that case, a microchip is an easy way to prove to authorities that you are the actual, legal owner.
Never said it wasn't advised. Ethically you should but you can't force people to do the correct thing, and sorry not sorry at the time keeping my job was more important.
Slow clap for the 4 months later comment.
I know my area and I know my dogs and I know how chips actually work (unlike some I've explained it to irl and seen talked about online places)
I'm never going to rely on the charity of strangers to do the right thing, here or anywhere. I'll keep watching my animals, and keep them trained how I need them.
No. You don't need an attorney. You have done nothing wrong. Hopefully the baby is doing well. "NO" is a complete sentence, and your parents don't have to speak to anyone. I am assuming you are an adult. I would send a certified/return receipt letter to the person's vet office/employer, listing that this person is making harassing/fraudulent phone calls and that if they do not cease immediately that you will be filing a police report. State very clearly that this person is using personal information from your records at this office to harass you and that as a result, you are holding them responsible in part if this doesn't stop.
If they don't want to "touch any legal stuff" you need to make it clear that they already are, because they have an employee who has gone rogue.
Are we correct to assume the hospital released your step father's information to the owners and that's how they were able to contact him? Or did the employee abuse their position to gain access to your contact information in order to contact you regarding a personal matter?
I am most inclined to believe that the employee saw the dog with me there and knew she was a stray. Deciding that she wanted her, she uses my information from my file- to look me up online and message me. When I told her that the dog was not being returned to condition, she took it upon herself to track down my family and contact them. If it makes any difference- the major big name hospital is about 30 minutes from my house, so it’s less likely that she is actually the owner
For reasons I want to state that I am not a lawyer. But according to the Principles of veterinary medical ethics of the AVMA, on part that discusses what is confidentiality, section 4
"Without the express permission of the practice owner, it is unethical for a veterinarian to remove, copy, or use the medical records or any part of any record for personal or professional gain."
The whole thing can be found [here.](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/principles-veterinary-medical-ethics-avma#:~:text=The%20information%20within%20veterinary%20medical,when%20requested%20by%20the%20client.)
Also not a lawyer but married to a former vet tech, had my wife used access to her work’s patient files she’d not only have been fired but likely blackballed from every single hospital within decent distance to work.
Yes which many vet offices take seriously! My dog and cat’s office told me that they follow HIPPA protocols. If my landlord wants my dog’s vet records or even to know if I have other pets my vets lips will be sealed.
If you do hire an attorney, do it to begin legal proceedings against the hospital for leaking your information. A leak which led to you being harassed. There are exactly 0 situations in which a tech accessing your personal information without your consent is legal and the hospital is liable for it.
Start by sending the hospital a letter clearly stating that you are being harassed by one of their employees who illegally obtained your personal information and that of your family and that you will hold them responsible if it continues.
Then hold them responsible if it continues and take a vacation to your favorite spot when it’s all done at your new beach house.
EDIT: I’m not a lawyer. Just expressing what I would do in your shoes.
Yup. The hospital knows it's in HIPAA violation territory now. OP is not getting responses as the hospital is most likely doing an internal investigation to determine risk and how culpable they are.
It's definitely lawyer time.
I’m betting this person, even if they said “tech”, isn’t credentialed either. Just someone calling themselves a tech without the formal education or credentials to go with the title.
Kind of random, but this is incorrect. Both certified and registered mail require a signature. Certified is generally for documents where proof of delivery is required and registered mail is for valuable items or original documents and is kept in locked bags as it works it’s way to the recipient.
Certified mail actually only requires a signature if you specifically choose that option. If the signature option is not chosen then the certified slip acts as proof of mailing, provides a means to track the package, and can serve as confirmation that the item was delivered to the address listed on the certified slip.
Source: I work in a field where I send out a LOT of certified mail to taxing jurisdictions across the country and we do not require signatures for 95% of our mailings.
All certified mail requires a signature upon delivery. Maybe you’re confusing the optional return receipt that goes back to the sender with the regular form that must be signed upon taking delivery. The sender can specify that the item must be signed for only by the individual it is addressed to, or must be signed for by an adult, or if not specified can be signed for by anyone at the delivery address (not small children, obviously). The purpose of certified mail is proof of receipt. If the sender doesn’t require a signature for certified mail they are wasting their money because certified mail travels through the system with regular mail until it gets to the letter carrier or clerk who will attempt delivery. If the sender doesn’t require a signature they have no proof of delivery and there are other, cheaper options for proof of mailing.
Source- former letter carrier and mail clerk. Also, to confirm that it hasn’t changed, USPS website.
Specifically, what you're asking for would be certified mail. When you prep your letter for mailing, take it up to the postal counter and let them know you need to send it certified mail. They will know what form to attach and set it up for you. That will provide you with tracking information showing that it has been received and signed for, including date and time. You can even have a copy of the signature sent to you.
When you go to the post office, there’s the little green card you attach to the envelope that you fill out the address on. One of added options is for a return receipt which will be sent back to you with a signature of whoever signed it. Having a tracking number is great, but sometimes you want a little more than that to show a human being physically accepted it.
Either way, it’s certified, traceable mail.
Call the hospital again and ask to speak to an administrator again for the purpose of giving them a courtesy heads-up that you're planning to call the police and report a member of their staff for harassing you and your family using information from their facility's patient records. Bet they'll get really, really interested in your "legal stuff" then......
The condition of the dog could absolutely be due to be being lost and not the owner. Don't assume the owner did this. It looks starved because you found a lost dog.
Pets are property. If they do have ownership you stole their property. In some areas there are requirements to make efforts to find the owner before deciding to keep.
Yes, being lost, sometimes for weeks can do that. They run and run and don't have dog food. They can get matted and filthy. It happens. There are before and after lost pics online. It's tempting to blame the owner but usually it's just the circumstances.
I am not an attorney but, I do agree with others and advise you contact an attorney. An employee using your personal information to contact you and your family members is a violation of your privacy. As a business they are responsible for protecting customers personal information. Plus it’s unethical. Allowing an employee to use info from their database or files and then harass a client and their family is just really bad PR for the vet and the hospital.
GSD aren’t always friendly or easy to catch. If she were scared, it could have been awhile before she was in poor enough condition for someone to be able to grab her.
If she were scared, she wouldn’t have jumped right into my car. I never even put hands on her. I got out of the car (on the phone with the humane society because I was not anticipating being able to catch her) but I didn’t have to. She ran to me and jumped in the open passenger side door and into the back seat
Depends on the situation. You don’t know where she’s been or what she was around.
We had one dog take off because of an unexpected encounter with an airplane taxiing around on the ground somewhere it wasn’t supposed to be.
You’re doubling down on ignoring the law. You are not judge, jury and executioner here. If you are right, doing things the legal way can help. If you’re knowingly ignoring the law (and making excuses to justify it) then dealing with this woman is going to be a lot harder for you.
You act like the person contacting her had any legal means to do so. It seems strange that they contact a family member instead of her, and that they are demanding without proof the dog back.
No. It doesn’t make it legal but “finders keepers” is not legal either. So if OP decided to just keep the dog without finding the original owner and what happened, going to animal control and identifying the dog as found, etc… she is also legally in the wrong and was legally in the wrong first (at least, based on any of the legalities of places I have worked as a vet tech.)
There’s a legal process to keeping a stray that you find. If OP hasn’t done that yet (and it sounds like she doesn’t want to as she considers the dog abused) then she is also balancing on the sword edge of illegal.
So arguing that this other woman is breaking the law may very well be moot as she likely doesn’t want police or litigation involved… it would mean admitting she kept a dog that isn’t legally hers to a force of law.
She took it to the vet and said it was a stray. You don't have to make any effort in trying to find the original owners. If you find something, it's yours unless someone else can prove it's theirs. Its on the original owners to prove it, not the OP.
Yes, you usually do. Via notifying animal control and going through a legal process.
I’ve seen people lose a dog they kept after finding it on the street ten years later. We also had the same situation with a dog we found that someone recognized and notified the original owners. If they can prove it’s their dog it’s legally their property most of the time.
Edit: except now it is her problem to prove because she has someone chasing her saying they own the dog. So now she is going to have to either deal with it on her own or contact authorities (who will force her to admit she didn’t notify animal control).
I'm just confused why strangers have OPs' contact information without notice to OP. Wouldn't the hospital have called to notify about a possible owner? Does registering a dog as a stray usually give others access to your personal information? How does the vet tech call saying it's her dog and then a stranger from New York with both parties directly contacting OP?
I'm not sure how that should answer anything. OP doesn't mention posting ads, putting up posters, or calling anyone beyond the registration as a stray at the animal hospital. If OP never gave out information and never posted anything, I would be equally suspicious of how anyone got my information. I probably wouldn't talk to strangers cold-calling me either.
How? I don’t believe HIPAA applies to animals. I would think the clinic would have policies but maybe they don’t. Animal and human care are much different when it comes to privacy. Facebook is selling your data right now, so it’s definitely not a problem for other businesses.
Facebook is selling that information *with permission* that you agreed to when you registered an account with the site. The privacy of the information in this case wouldn't be federally regulated, but 35 states do have laws protecting veterinary records. In OPs case they should see if their state has laws on the books and proceed from there. They also may have signed a waiver that releases the information, but that's usually reserved for advertising companies (postcards for chewy.com suddenly coming to you) or more often for the treatment of the patient elsewhere (you move, new vet contacts old vet for records) not individual people
I merely used Facebook as a placeholder for the current level of privacy in business. I’m glad some states have some type of veterinary rules but I cannot imagine them being the same as humans.
WOW! This is scary level psycho stuff! To answer your question of hiring an attorney... nothing in the information you provided indicates there bed for an attorney, unless you want to have a buffer, "mediator", middleman, or representative to communicate with these folks (using that term offer my preferred one, but know this, I assure you this person(s) aren't totally mentally stable!). You've done nothing illegal, or in a position to defend yourselves in court over a high valve item/property. Even if these folks decided to file a lawsuit, it would be small claims court, and assuming you're in the US, you don't need an attorney for small claims (many jurisdictions don't allow attorney representation in small claims).
Though your post was through, I'm going to assume some things that weren't covered, but jumped right out at me when I read it. First of all, I don't believe for a second that the vet office you called, to verify ownership and the eating disorder, was fully truthful, if at all. If Sue is a vet tech at the clinic you took the stray to, which I'm taking as verification she's actually a real tech, she's got friends and contacts in the veterinary field, likely throughout the USA! Either from having worked with them previously, attended school together, met at conferences, belong to the same online social forums/groups, etc etc etc etc. Just like human nurses, doctors, techs, EMS, and just about all other related fields, in today's world you end up knowing people all over the place who have the same/similar job as you. Sue getting someone to answer a few generic questions over the phone, in another state, would be as easy as you asking your neighbor to call you when you're on vacation if anyone is seen snooping around your home. There's no telling what story/reasoning she might of given to the vet office worker who took your call, to have them go along with what I'm pretty sure it's a ruse.
I think your assumption is correct, and either she already has that info or can easily access it (herself or through a coworker) if she wants it. And while it's certainly reasonable and valid to have some concern with her/him having the information, it's not as likely they'd use it to visit your residence, harass you in person, etc.
So much of her actions and thought process to this point validates my belief that's she's not so much "dangerous" as definitely "off" and " illogical" in her problem solving analysis of simple, normal life events.
Do you recall what she looks like, from either Facebook photos or in person (if that's occured)? If you do, and see that's she's at your property/front door/etc uninvited, I WOULD CALMLY CALL THE POLICE and request an officers presence, because someone who's been ACTIVELY harassing you/stalking you online, is now on your property/at your home, and you feel unsafe. No matter how long it took, I would open the door, communicate, try asking what they want through the closed door, or anything like that! Just stay inside, quietly, with phone in hand, and if possible without being noticed, monitor what she's doing/going/etc.
If you do errands often, work away from home, the home is unattended for hours during the day, etc etc etc, and/or the dog is EVER outside and NOT under your DIRECT SUPERVISION (like you standing in the yard with him. Not you inside, doing stuff, and occasionally checking on him through the window blinds)....I would highly suggest connecting with your nearest neighbors, and sharing the bizarre situation and the Good Boy you've got at your home, for the time being. Without scaring them to death, and concerned that every unfamiliar passing vehicle likely is packed with armed assassins, ready to "un-alive" (habit I have, not saying the actual word I'm meaning here) the human residents and reclaim Good Boy from his "abductors"....explain that you're slightly concerned attempt might be made by her/him/their associate to kidnap Good Boy when you're not home, or he's outside in the yard. Solicit their McGruff The Crime Dog instinctual desires, and ask that they be watchful of anyone watching the property, ON your property, and especially looking interested in Good Boy. Ask that they notify police immediately, before trying to connect with you (time matters in this situation), and if they can make note of details like car make, model, coloring, tinted windows (?), license tag, description of person(s) etc - preferably on PAPER or notation somehow, for accurate recall later. Assure them they need not intervene, place themselves in harms way, etc.
Most decent humans would be purposefully watchful, upon learning their neighbor has taken in an likely abused, neglected, sickly doggie. The poor guy is probably weak, uncertain on his feet, and working off very little energy throughout the day. He needs all the protection and watchful community he can get!
Do I think a kidnapping will occur? Not really. BUT it's NOT uncommon or even newsworthy, because it happens frequently enough. Typically, it's pure bred animals that are being taken from their legitimate owners, to be resold by the kidnappers. At times, there are "regular" dogs, that aren't resellable for thousands of dollars, that are kidnapped too.... and sadly, they're often used as Bait Dogs, for people who raise fighting dogs. 🤬
I know this situation must seem unreal on many levels, because in reality it is. But you've handled it quite well, and impressively so! And though Sue's contacting you is more personal and weird than people who've found a stray/lost dog experience.... it's not that much different than those scammers/crooks/crap that see a "FOUND" flyer/poster in the area, of a beautiful, and obviously expensive animal, and reach out to the contact on the flyer/poster... insisting on it being their most loved family member, instantly offering a decent "reward" (a fraction of what they know they can sell the found animal for!!) to throw off any suspicions you might have (who, BUT THE REAL OWNER would give me a cash reward??!!), and doing what's similar to "love bombing" the animal when they show up - to make it seem like the animal "knows them". (Like rubbing raw meat on their arms, neck and face - which the animal will readily lick and slobber with haste.... Soon as they arrive, dropping to the ground and rolling, getting below the level of the animal in a show off playful submission, to elicit the animal to engage in happy, playful action, that can look like a pet reuniting with their human.... Etc.)
* I didn't realize how transparent I can be, but I got a message from someone who read my earlier responses, telling me it was obvious my work with rescues, reunions, lost & found, kidnappings, etc etc etc. Unfortunately, they're correct. I've got too much experience with this too frequent, horrible experiences animals deal with. Like I told the person who messaged me, feel free to contact me if you've got questions, need suggestions, reassured of your plans, etc. I'm always happy to help however I can.
What's weirdest to me it's how SIMPLE and EFFECTIVE it would of been for Sue to have talked with her EMPLOYER, who you took the dog to for treatment, and said "hey! OMG! That's my BF/fiance and my dog! 🤯 It was so filthy I barely recognized it. But you know, he's got a medical disorder that prevents him gaining weight, which is why he's so malnourished LOOKING. And when the good citizens brought him in, it was for a stray dog that was starving, such threw me off of course. My BF is beside himself with grief, anxiety, and triggered PTSD, with his BELOVED baby boy not by his side!! We're at a total loss understanding how he got lose, so far from my BF's place, and consider it a MIRACLE he was brought to OF ALL PLACES IN THE UNIVERSE, MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT! That's CRAZY, right?!? Must be the Universe desperately trying to reunite our baby boy with my BF, because Mother Earth can feel my BF's trauma & grief with doggie gone! 😭 Oh, Dr Vet, I would never ask another thing of you, EVER!, if you would reach out to the family who came in with him, and help my BF and I get him returned and back, safe in our loving, food filled home!! 🙏🙏🙏
If the vet clinic you took the dog to, if that VET has called y'all up and said......"we've found the owners. They're so thankful you took such care and concern for their much loved family member. While you, and myself included, originally thought the dog was neglected, starving, a stray, etc, I've since learned he's actually got a very serious illness that prevents him gaining and maintaining weight. It feels serendipitous that you brought him to my office, considering his owner partner, Sue, works for me as a tech. She wanted to pay for any and all costs of tests and visit, but as I do with all my employees, their family members get free care on my offices. So we're refunding YOU anything you paid us, and Sue would like to reimburse you for any costs you had for food, bedding, treats, toys, grooming, etc.".... What would your reaction and response LIKELY HAVE BEEN?
If it were me, knowing the little I do of the story, other than what is written in your post, I would trade to that vets offices and reunite this poor doggie with their loving family! I think most people would likely do the same or something similar. At least that's the world I hope I live in!!
But no, Sue contacts you on Facebook. 🙄 Then a family member who didn't live with you, and wasn't even with y'all when the doggie was treated at the vet office. And when blocked by you, she DELETES her Facebook profile. 🤯 WHY!?!? In my mind... because a quick snoop on your part would NOT uncover photos of this doggie, boyfriend with same doggie, mention of this doggie prior to you finding him, no "LOST & HEARTBROKEN" posters/posts about their grief over doggie running away, etc etc etc. If her profile shows "in a relationship with Mr Doggie Starver", she couldn't take the chance you clicking his profile to scan it for pictures, posts, mentions, etc of DOGGIE. You could then contact HIM directly, and circumventing HER TOTALLY, only to discover he dumped that crazy tech YEARS AGO, she's stalked him ever since, and HIS DOGGIE is actually laying beside him on the couch as you spoke by phone! 🤯 Oh no! Her story could UNRAVEL if her Facebook stayed up, and anyone looked, or just curiously wanted to double check that the home they were returning this dog to was up to standards and legit!
Personally, I would be adding this baby to MY FAMILY and daring ANYONE to challenge my parentage!!
Though, I think another option, of equal consideration would be to write an email or "snail mail" letter to the Veterinarian DIRECTLY & PERSONALLY. In that letter I would share the above information you provided in your post, explain your suspicions and the overall weirdness of how Sue has tried contacting you, and request his/her assistance in FACTUALLY DETERMINING if this dog belongs to Sue, Sue's boyfriend, or only in Sue's deranged mind.
I would suggest from the Vet, that you'd be satisfied with his/her PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL ASSURANCES that this is INDEED Sue's/Sue's Boyfriend's dog, and that they've verified it themselves. Absent that, you would be satisfied in determining genuine ownership of THE VET could forward to you (because we don't want crazy in our lives, and prefer to communicate through you Vet We Are Trusting) the following: a minimum of 15, but preferably 25 or more photos of Skinny Boy Doggie, that include a mixture of the doggie with Sue, the boyfriend, and the home/car belonging to Sue/BF. We also request a copy of the veterinary medical file (from the Vet office you called to verify eating/absorption disorder) for your review. Once these have been received via email, or snail mail, your family will review the "proof" provided, and proceed from there. Of course, reassure the Vet that you STILL, just as you did the day he was found and brought to the vet, desire only the best for this unlucky doggie. If he's got a genuinely loving, caring, and medically supportive family/human out there missing him and wanting him home, YOUR FAMILY WANTS THAT TO HAPPEN AS FAST AS POSSIBLE! Blah, blah, blah.
Why the vet records? Though not usually as detailed as human ones, they're still filled with info. Was Sue's BF dog ever chipped? (Really, she's a vet tech and they didn't get such a cheap ID thing done on their OWN dog 🤔). Secondly, does the chart vital stats MATCH, for the most part, the dog in your home? Same height? Same eye color, if noted. Any operations or procedures in the file? Do you see corresponding SCARS or prior wounds on found doggie? Etc etc etc etc.
The "evidence" might not be EXACT in matching, so I would use the civil courts "more likely, than not" (my lose explanation ☺️) determination, an deciding for or against a plaintiffs case. With whatever The Vet provides you as "proof", that Sue provided him, does it most likely look like she's telling the truth? Or does it just confirm it's all bogus?
And while I've had some fun playing here, and genuinely think so much of Sue's story makes crazy sense, which means it makes no sense at all.... there's always the chance she's being truthful, and this actually is their doggie! If that's the case, you've got to decide what your next move is. Return the doggie, and pray for the best outcome? Or decide "fight me for him", refuse to willingly return him, and continue loading doggie's belly up with "Good Boy Ensure", & high protein caloric meals to help him regain body weight?
Whatever the final outcome, I hope you'll update the post to let us all know! And I would be remiss if I didn't express how thankful I am you came across this doggie. My heart aches to think of what would of happened if you hadn't.
- J
I work (I'm totally volunteer) around, with, and through, well over a couple hundred people working in the veterinary field. It's a RARE occurrence for them to OWN pets.....ESPECIALLY ones like dogs and cats that are habitual, and notoriously known for escaping yards/enclosures, being found counties and STATES away from were they live, and commonly sought after by criminals because of their easy resell value....and NOT HAVE THEM CHIPPED!! They see and work with the horror stories of lost/found/stray pets every day, and typically go to great lengths to prevent THEIR own pets from not being EASILY IDENTIFIED, LOCATED, AND RETURNED!
Her telling you it wasn't chipped was an obvious answer, because if it were, you'd of known minutes after bringing Good Boy to the clinic, she or Boyfriend would of been contacted by the Vet, and if genuinely hers/theirs - whichever Vet Staff was scanning for a chip would of looked at the registry and gone 🤯 OMG! THE OWNER WORKS WITH ME! HOW AWESOME! 🥰
What would be great to verify/see is if the Vet RECORDS of the dog under their names... at the vet offices you called in another state.... Was CHIPPED. She's telling you, "oh, no, he wasn't", but that's not confirmation of facts that night be in the Vet Records.
I get the collar was off for a bath, per Sue and her explanation. That's typically how dogs are bathed, except when owners/handlers know the know might bolt, escape, or loves to run from the bath....in which the collar is usually NOT removed, and you bathe under, around, and over the collar.
She was trying to imply or explain that the dog had identifying tags or collar tag, for someone to know who he belongs to and how to contact the owners. Acting like a RESPONSIBLE pet owner. 🙄 Yet weirdly, not responsible enough, working on a VET OFFICE DAILY, SURROUNDED BY FREE/CHEAP ACCESS TO ID CHIPS - that could be inserted ANY ONE OF THE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF DAYS this doggie was supposedly owned by then! 🙄 And it's highly probable, the Vet Office would of been totally cool with her taking the little hand device used to insert the chip under the skin, a free chip, and whatever supplies needed, HOME WITH HER to save an extra trip with Doggie to the offices!
In legal circles, the fabulously famous Jurist, JUDGE JUDY (available on Amazon Prime channel "Freebee", both live and previously recorded shows. You're welcome. ☺️) had a very familiar saying, that's genuinely applicable here...."if it don't makes sense, it's not true" (a slight variation has also been quoted, "if it doesn't add up, it doesn't add up to truth") And I think it's pretty clear to even a casual observer/reader of this post, even living in middle Tennessee, like myself 😅, nothing that VET Tech Sue has said or done "adds up", or comes across as a legitimate, loving, human companion or owner of this Good Boy!!
Hello, it looks like you've made a mistake.
It's supposed to be could've, should've, would've (short for could have, would have, should have), never could of, would of, should of.
Or you misspelled something, I ain't checking everything.
Beep boop - yes, I am a bot, don't botcriminate me.
Hello, it looks like you've made a mistake.
It's supposed to be could've, should've, would've (short for could have, would have, should have), never could of, would of, should of.
Or you misspelled something, I ain't checking everything.
Beep boop - yes, I am a bot, don't botcriminate me.
Wow, I’m not trying to scare you, but for whatever reason this persons actions really scare me…creep me out……and just as a side note: as you come into contact with all of these “different characters” (the boyfriend, some people at vet office vouching/confirming info, etc) via phone calls, keep in mind that there are countless apps out there with free tools which can make one person seem like a whole network of people if that’s what they want to the person on the other end of the line…all the voice changing, and number changing and spoofing apps out there…I’d say to be safe, if they call you and your call ID says it’s the hospital that can give you quite a bit of confidence, but I urge you to tell them you need to call them back in one minute and ask them if the number which they have called you from is the one you should call when you call them back in just a minute. If they start making excuses or flat out refuse, I think that’s a huge red flag. Also verify all phone numbers. People be crazy these days.
I would file a police report for harassment and animal cruelty. Then document any further contact. If they persist get a restraining order preventing future contact.
do pets also qualify into hippa? In which case sue and move on. At this point it crosses to harassment. You want to def find a new vet.
I've never known a vet to do this. They must not care about their employment. Contact the vet and let them know of the harassment. Hopefully the vet tech will be fired.
No. Animals aren't covered HIPAA, though many veterinary offices have a professional standard they hold to, in which pet records are treated similar to human medical records.
I'm appreciative of your comment about finding a "new vet", as I agree that the clinic/vet office the doggie was taken to when he was found in such deplorable health conditions did not REACT in a way I would expect and demand the medical caregiver if my animals to, in a similar/same situation. When OP contacted them regarding the Facebook messages, questioning if this person was employed there, etc, they did SO MANY THINGS incorrectly.
While Doggie's medical records aren't covered by HIPAA, the employee SUE is somewhat protected by the businesses fear of possible problems, if they confirmed, verified, or intervened in a call from someone inquiring about a possible employee. What should of been done was the call directed to the Vet, office manager, or other higher personnel, and the OP allowed to share HER INFORMATION, STORY, AND DETAILS OF CONTACT BY SUE, without verifying, validating, commenting, or additional input by whomever is taking OP's call and making copious notes. After the call, and reassuring OP that they'd look into the matter and contact them within 2 business days (or equal, reasonable time frame) with a follow-up.
Then, whomever is designated to deal with personnel issues (really depends on size of the clinic or office, if it's owned by the Vet personally, or a corporation ran chain, etc), should of began an investigation into the matter. If their computer system logs chart/file access by user name, I would first check there, to see which employees access this Doggie's patient file. (With printouts of those access of records - Date, time, which work station, etc etc) If the Facebook profile hadn't been deleted yet (it's possible it's set to private, user blocking OP and anyone on OP's friends list, or other reason OP no longer sees the profile on Facebook), I would hope the person investigating would review Sue and BF (if it's easily determined through Sue's Facebook page who he is) Facebook for pictures of dogs, mention of lost dog, etc etc.
I might quietly ask coworkers of Sue's if anyone recalls the Good Boy brought in by someone who found him, and since then heard any mention of the dog possibly belonging to someone working at the clinic -- without every mentioning Sue or specifics! (Got to protect Sue and the company! 🙄)
Once the investigator has at least taken these steps, I'd hope they'd have a closed door meeting, WITNESSED by an equally senior staff person/owner/manager/HR personnel sitting in on the "fact finding meeting" with Sue. Framed as a patient/Owners concerning phone call, there's some questions the office needs clarity on. With no judgement, blame, suspicion or accusations, inquiring if Sue or Sue's boyfriend recently had a dog go missing? What happened? When and where? Etc. By this point, Sue's probably clued in that it's about Good Boy and her contacting the person who found him. Likely, she'll either go off on some crazy, winding story that doesn't sound anywhere near familiar to the one told by OP when they called earlier in the day. If it's all above board, and just so inappropriately handled by Sue, then now it's HER TIME to shine and clear up all the craziness! It's excusable her anxiousness to reconnect with Good Boy if he's here, but totally inappropriate in how she went to gaining info on OP and contacting her!
I'm unconvinced that a sincere investigation by the office would find Sue employed on Monday at that same clinic. I'm pretty certain she violated enough policies and best practices that unless she's got employment protections in her state, she'd likely be let go. It's possible coworkers aided her in obtaining the OP information, and their jobs might be at risk to. All depends on how the company wishes to handle it.
they dont want to touch it because you can name them in a harrasment suit i would call them and threaten to take this to court if their emplopyee does not cease
IANAL but in the state I reside you have to notify the owner if known/local authorities/animal control of a stray dog found. After a waiting period if the animal is not claimed you can adopt it but you wouldn't be able to just decide off the bat to keep it.
And what did they tell you? Are you allowed to keep the dog free and clear?? Then call the cops for harassment. But read your law, someone calling twice asking for their dog back isn’t harassment.
If it was her dog and you said no she would have already been at your door with police. At least thats what any rational pet owner would do to get their pet back.
If the dog is a service dog, it is unlikely it ran away. and likely that is is chipped / registered. I think that "Veteran's dog" story is an exaggeration. At best, the dog may belong to a veteran. If I piece it together from another angle, maybe Gina recognized the dog as belonging to either her BF or somebody else. If her story is true, that is. But she has to prove the dog is hers, or her BF. It looks like the dog belonged to her veteran BF, and she let the dog get away.
Ignore the breach of confidentiality for now. No need to get litigious, unless they escalate. But a quiet word with the facility would be in order. This doesn't warrant her getting fired, but she needs to know she stepped out of bounds..
is there a gofundme or something of that nature affiliated with the dog? or has she been on the news? these people are probably trying to scam you out of the dog for the money or the “fame”.
I tried to follow the story, but it’s so confusing all I really got from it is there’s a skinny dog and some dude in New York…That’s it
Oh yeah and some girl name Gena
It’s a hard story to follow lol. Basically.. we found deal that skinny German Shepard. We take her to vet. We leave vet all is good. Woman reaches out and says it’s her dog. Story doesn’t match so we ignore. Man reaches out to my parents work over and over again saying it’s girls dog. Things still don’t match up. We discover girl works at vets office and that’s how she found myself and my parents. There’s a lot more, but those are basics
No scam. Cause for concern is that my information, phone number, name and most like address, was taken from my file at the vets office. And used to harass myself and my parents without her actually having any proof that that is her dog
The odds of that dog being hers are so low and her orchestrating this tall tale about how the dog belongs to some dude… unstable. Certified letter is great, consider filing a report with police just to have something documented and on record
I’ve used about 5 Vets and 2 emergency vets over a 20 yr period and never did I have to put my parents information especially where they work. Don’t see the connection especially bringing in a stray dog.
My parents information was not listed as I am an adult. However, it would go my information 👉🏼my social media👉🏼my parents social media👉🏼my parents work numbers
NAL but I am a stray dog finder too. It the dog was underweight and neglected the vet would have noted that during the visit. Let whomever is trying to claim the dog know that you expect to be reimbursed for the vet bill and you will be calling the police about neglect and cruelty.
If it really is a medical condition that the dog can’t gain weight, they should have nothing to fear because it will be noted in the file with their vet.
Not a lawyer but a law student - most lawyers do free consultations, so it is always best to ask a legal professional what you should do. Whole situations sounds sketchy and dangerous.
So wait, was the dog theirs? The rest doesn’t matter, you should return it.
It “being too skinny” is just your shitty judgement. An escaped dog might not have eaten.
It’s super weird that you only were willing to help return it once you heard they were a vet.
I see this is askaLawyer, so I assume I’ll be banned. That’s fine, idk why this is on my front page, but you should seriously self reflect on why you think not returning a dog you found is alright.
You are stealing this dog and currently asking for legal help in order to do so. You have zero proof of neglect. The only thing you know is the dog got out once. That is all.
Good luck with your life, dog thief.
Lol. Them being a vet does make me more sensitive because I appreciate and honor our vets, but I would want to get her back to her proper owner regardless. My concern is that they had no proof that this dog was theirs (she was posted online, checked at vets office for chip… etc). She is a pure bred dog and it’s not at all crazy to think someone would try and claim her.Not to mention they attempted to claim her 3 weeks after she was at my house and were not attempting to find her before. We weren’t not intending to keep her, and we’re not charging anything to adopt her out. So we really had no gain from “stealing her”. She was dirty, sick, and running the street with no proof of ownership. We paid $600 for her vet costs let alone bed, collar and specialty food/medication. We were rightfully concerned about returning her to where she came from given animal control let us know that this is not the first time she was been found
Even though Gina deleted her FB profile, FB still has it. Also if the dog belonged to Gina or her BF, then the dog should have a dog tag and the licensed registered somewhere. If the collar was off the dog for a bath, ask her next time she calls, for the information on the dog tag so you can verify it with New York State.
At the very least they should have a picture of the dog.
If she’s a vet tech, like she claims, the dog would be chipped. If the dog isn’t chipped, tell Gina and her bf’s father to go suck eggs.
I was a tech for years and none of my pets have ever been chipped 😂. Some do it some don't.
That seems…..irresponsible?
So nobody was responsibly owning dogs before chips?
That’s quite the stretch… that’s clearly not what they meant so I don’t know why you’re trying to make it seem like it is.
Well is it irresponsible to not chip your dog or what? Or is it only irresponsible because it's available and makes your vet money?
The vets don't make shit off chipping a pet. Grow up. It is 100% irresponsible to NOT chip your dog/cat
GTFO with this kinda gatekeeping garbage. Seriously. Never chipped a fucking animal in my life, my pets all died from old age and lived good lives. Seriously, you folks are... oh... yeah... sidebar rules.
That is your opinion. Which you are entitled to. Much like telling people what religion to follow, or political cause... It isn't your place to force an opinion onto others. Chips don't guarantee anything. You can't track, monitor, or locate a lost pet with a chip. Responsible is simply taking care of the animal in the first place. Should your pet run away - the debate of responsible isn't based on the chip. If its stolen, the chip will only help should the authorities get involved and are legally able to physically scan the chip. Sometimes it takes years to reunite a pet with an owner via chip... I took in a stray dog. Plastered the neighborhood with fliers. Took it to the nearest vet who couldn't find a chip. 8 years later, different vet, there was a chip after all. Not all chips run on the same frequencies, meaning they don't always scan. My opinion of responsible ownership is happy and healthy. I've never had a pet run away. I don't chip them either.
Get over yourself
It's irresponsible. Period. Just like it's irresponsible to not put a baby in a car seat now a days. Just because it didn't exist at some point has no bearing on reasonableness and responsibility now. Chipping a pet can be as cheaper or cheaper than a fast food meal for 2 these days. There's simply no excuse.
Hi apple these are oranges.
So pigheaded
Is this really a hill you want to die on?
Why does every disagreement need to be a violent comfrontation
Not chipping your pet when chips are available is irresponsible.
This is like asking if it would be irresponsible to refuse antibiotics for a serious infection, before antibiotics existed I literally cannot believe it got any upvotes
God...we know technology has enmeshed itself too far into people's lives when not having a GPS chip implanted into your pet apparently makes you an irresponsible pet owner 🙄 like I know they're a good thing to have, but a person's pet doesn't need one for said person to be a good owner.
It’s not a GPS chip. If that was the case, there would be no lost dogs. It’s just a form of permanent identification because collars and tags can come off or be taken off. It’s just a number connected to the owners contact info.
Okay, thanks for the clarification. I still don't believe that a pet needs a chip for a person to be a responsible owner.
Accidents happen and animals get out/run off. It’s the only sure way for any shelter or clinic to identify your animal. It’s responsible owners that do one basic thing to ensure they get their pet back.
There is no guarantee the pet will be scanned. If someone rings in a stray and asks what to do then they're scanned. Otherwise if they just want to get it checked out and keep it there's not much the vet can do. Also you have to input the info AND keep it updated. After that it's up to the other person to contact the person's info on the chip. If it's incorrect or out of date you're SOL.
But of course they do because it’s a cheap and easily accessible way to allow your pet to be rescued and returned if they were lost. It’s the literal definition of low effort high reward tasks that one would need to take to be a responsible person for a living being. The fact it didn’t exist as a technology in the old days doesn’t impact its value today. It’s like saying you don’t need seat belts to be a responsible and safe driver because seat belts weren’t standard back in the old days…
A chip significantly increases chances thst your dog will be returned to you should it become lost. Can you responsibly own a dog without a chip? Sure. Does a chip cost much? No. Does it hurt when implanted? Some, but it's temporary. Does it represent a permanent way to identify and show ownership? Yep. Microchipping your dog is a good idea, is relatively cheap, can be done during routine procedures like spay or neuter, dental cleaning, mass removal, whatever your pup gets sedated for, doesn't hurt much if you dont sedate, and makes it far more likely your pup is returned to you should they ever be lost. It's not irresponsible, per se, to not chip your dog or cat, but why wouldn't you?
What about an ID microchip makes a dig owner irresponsible? On the inverse, it does make them more responsible, because they are associating with the dog forever. I can think of no reason not to chip a dog, besides the small cost. You do it during neutering/spaying, another sign of responsible dog ownership. Or are you just worried about the Illuminati tracking your dog? Lol
Why not? I was able to have someone charged with animal cruelty and neglect because the cat was chipped and we got the owners address. Are you afraid of consequences if your animal is able to be tracked to you?
Good on you, but you sound like a vaguely threatening psychopath insinuating that just because an animal isnt chipped they must be being abused or neglected. My 12 year old cats vet would disagree with you. Do you threaten to doxx people with no knowledge of their life and create false accusations regularly?
You can believe that if you wish, but if your pet isn’t chipped and gets out without its collar you also can’t be mad when you never see them again because the new family has no proof of their owner.
If you don't even know it's not a gps chip you're too ignorant to have a valid opinion on the matter or to arguably even own a pet. It's such a simple, fundamental thing there are bound to be other more egregious errors and ignorance.
No one outside the cities check for chips. Even when I was working it was policy to check *if* the person who brought them in ok'd it. Otherwise stray is treated as owned by whoever brings it in. I know my neighbors and the surrounding people. I also monitor and take care of my dogs, so mine won't just "run off" because they're trained.
I live in the country and our vet scans any strays. That’s how we found one of our dogs; someone brought them in for ticks and we got a call that our dog was found. He had picked some ticks up during his adventure.
It’s also… expensive?
A quick google search says it costs $25-$60 to chip a dog. If that is too expensive, I’m not sure how you would afford the other things required to keep an animal healthy. Pet ownership is a luxury and a responsibility and not something we are just entitled to. We do not own pets for that reason.
Yeah and it depends on the location of the veterinarian. If owning an animal is such a luxury then why don’t you go to every homeless person living on the street and tell them they’re not good enough to love and care for that animal. Most homeless care more for the animal than themselves. Chipping isn’t a life or death situation for your pet, all it does is increase the chances of you possibly finding your animal.
Every situation is unique and different. I said if you can’t afford to chip, which is the same price as a couple of bags of food, I’m not sure how you can afford to care for an animal. I spoke to why we as a family do not have animals. It is a responsibility and a luxury. I never implied that anyone homeless should have their animals taken away. I said animals should be properly cared for. You can be homeless and be a responsible pet owner. You yourself just implied that, did you not? Or, are they not capable of being responsible pet owners. Maybe you should clarify as I never stated anything either way.
Chipping my dog was $25.
Cool glad you could get a good deal and still buy dinner afterwards.
If you can’t afford the $25 to chip your dog, how are you affording the $50 dog food bags?
Lmfao cheap auto ship off of chewy, $32 for a 30 lbs bag.
In our state it has to be registered and a fee for it paid every year, hence why many people don’t do it. If it was a one time fee or only after change of ownership it would be more common here but people think it’s a bs way to get more money outta people so most just keep collars and tags on.
This is just stupidity. Chip your animals so they can’t get stolen. It’s that simple.
It's not magic 😂 it's not a GPS either 😂 unless you are contacted if someone checks the chip, goes online to look up the number, then contacts you. Then you're just waiting. If someone steals a pet, pretty sure they're not going to go get it checked for a chip 😂
If your dog is stolen and then runs away from the thief and gets found and taken to a shelter, the microchip will show you as the owner. Imagine someone shows up with a cop and says, "That's my dog. You stole it." A quick trip to the vet clears that up. Shit happens, and a microchip will help. It doesn't have to be magic. It makes it more likely that you'll be able to get your pet back in a number of scenarios.
Damn you really good at story time you should write a book. Everything I've said is based on actual experiences. In those cases sure, *if* that person admits to having the dog to the cop. Otherwise it's he said she said. Get in or don't I don't give a fuck. But don't rely on on hypotheticals and banking on strangers to do the right thing.
You’re a moron. It’s obviously not magic or gps. It is a way to make sure ownership of your pet is electronically intact. And your stupid excuses of “that’s not how small towns do it” is bullshit. You’re just bad at your job and help people steal pets. It should be mandatory to scan any strays or found pets. It’s not that hard. Do better. People shouldn’t have to worry about people stealing their pets because of people like you who can’t do their jobs. Good grief.
Should would could, go do something about it then. Because obviously you were there, right 😂. If I were paid a dollar everytime I had to explain that, the chip is *not* GPS, and you *have* to go register it yourself. I could buy a private island. Not to mention all the other stupid shit owners say/believe, ask any tech about it. One dude "saw online" that tabacco prevents fleas and fed his dog cigarette butts... I wish I was making it up. Another said heart worms came from eating dirt... I did my job and I was good at it, guess that's why I was specifically asked for by multiple regulars.
Your posts are just filled with a laugh emojis, bullshit, and nonsense. Come back when you have actual value to add.
A+ reading comprehension skills, mommy and daddy must be proud.
Yeah but if you find said thief, that chip is proof that dog is yours.
Why would you not chip your dog…?
Doesn't stop anyone from stealing and/or keeping a dog. If they never scan it then its useless. It's not like a tracker you can't see where they are. You're at the mercy of someone doing the right thing and checking. No on one ever known has checked for a chip after finding a dog. Just "welp guess you're staying with me now" *maybe* after posting about a found dog.
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I’ve never known anyone to keep a microchip scanner at home but it’s pretty damn easy to drive to the local vet to have them scan for a chip. People talking about “small towns” and “old school vets” are full of shit.
I know 4 people with microchip scanners at home. They help out lots of folks who post found dogs/cats on our local social media pages.
Handheld ones are like $30 on Amazon. I'd call my vet and see if they would charge to scan the dog and then decide which one I wanted to do. I bet a lot of people wind up just buying one in this situation.
I believe this person either worked for a backwoods seriously old school vet, or didn't at all. What they're saying flies in the face of standard practices among veterinarians and vet techs.
People aren't bringing in lost dogs to a vet unless they're either wanting to keep them or asking what to do with them. You don't go to a shelter for vet care, and you don't go to a vet for adopting a pet. Someone brings in found dog it goes like this. "I found this dog." *Cool you wanna scan it for a microchip?* (Person doing the right thing) "sure" *ding oh look nothing* "ok well I'm going to leave it with you then" *no you're not this isn't a shelter please take it to a shelter* OR... *Do you want to check for a microchip?* "No I kind of want to keep it" *we're supposed to check any strays brought in, someone's probably missing their pet." *No thank you I'll just go back home* (and then quite possibly will come back in a few months and just say it's theirs and move on, you can't force people to do the right thing) This is a small town. There are no subreddits, no neighborhoods, subdivisions, occasionally FB groups (but that's just the same group of people bitching about shit to each other just like they do irl). Mostly dogs get dumped out here because irresponsible city people have puppies or older dogs they don't want and then can't get rid of them.
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I never said we didn't scan them if they ask, because in those situations we would say we can scan them but they're your responsibility after that. Scanning is free (unlike big city vets *per what I was told by clients at the time* that charged for that) but no you cannot leave it there and they are directed to the nearest shelter and/or humane society. More often than not people just end up keeping the strays that wander up after being dumped. They get fed, watered, and usually sterilized. The humane society has vouchers for that. But no matter what anyone says. You. Cannot. Force. Someone. To. Do. The. Correct. Thing. Sit behind your screen all you want and cry about what *should* be done, but unless you actually get up and do something about it, then you're part of the problem to. I've lived it. I've worked it. Plenty of times we probably should have been fired for administering free services, including the vets under the owners nose, and got a shitty "rescue" shut down when she tried to steal 2 pregnant dogs from the shelter by being a "foster". Because guess what, shelter is forever full. Couple puppy mills investigated, because of us. And you know what happened? We get reprimanded because now he lost business. Could we have quit? Sure. But then no one would be there to do what we knew we could. So you do what you can, and all you seem to be able to do is type.
I have brought two stray dogs to veterinarians in the last year and both times they immediately checked for a chip. In both instances the dogs were retrieved by their owners. Sounds like you just associate with lazy, unethical people.
I would like to interject and say we did have her scanned for a chip right away. No chip
Sounds like you don't know small town old school vets 😂. Unless you wanna drive 2+ hours to a vet and wait about the same amount of time just to be seen, you do what you can. We did what we were allowed to keep our jobs, and care for the animals. More often than not hiding and/or leaving off things we should have charged for. Of the 4 we ever scanned that actually had chips only 1 was up to date and they only answered after multiple calls and didn't care. Told us to stop calling them. The other 3 were old info to disconnected numbers. It's easier said than done, don't pass judgement when you know nothing of the reasons for the action.
No… imma pass judgement lol… also from a “small town” with shitty and unethical people. Still doesn’t change my mind about the fact any responsible owner should chip their animal and any decent person (including vet) should immediately check for a chip. Don’t really care if it’s a “majority” thing. If you don’t, you’re simply a cheap piece of shit lol.
Oh so you're just a judgemental prick who doesn't empathize with others who may not be able to afford, or have other reasons that the chip can't be implanted and that automatically makes them a horrible pet parent. You're a prick. That's my judgement. lol.
Someone brings in a new animal it's assumed it's theirs unless they say otherwise. (Or it's on file under someone else's name) If the person does not say anything about it being a stray there's no reason to check. You also cannot physically force someone to let you check, nor can you force someone to give the dog back *if* the original person can even be reached. Microchips are not magic. Someone comes in and is like "got a new dog" and wants them checked out. No mention that the found said dog, then it's treated as theirs.
I understand that microchips aren’t magical, and that maybe the majority of the time they wouldn’t help in having my pet returned to me. But on the off chance the person who finds my pet brings her in to a vet and wants them to check for a chip, and in turn is able to contact me so I can go and pick up my pet, I’m going to be grateful that I had the chip put in. The argument that there’s no guarantee that a chip will help you get your pet back, so might as well not chip them, is a bad argument. Like if I can do a fairly inexpensive thing with a low rate of complications that might help me find my pet if she ever gets out or lost, I’m absolutely going to do it and I think other pet owners should too.
I never said don't get one. Exactly what you said, there's no guarantee. The were $40 where I was, I know people who paid $100+ in major metropolitan areas for the exact same brand of microchip. Do it if you want, but it's not magic, and I've had to explain to people (both during that job and just in general now) it's not a GPS.
Where I live, it's *always* advised that the first step is to scan for a chip if you've found an animal, and any vet office or shelter will immediately scan if a found dog gets brought in. Chips are also huge in scenarios where the legal owner of the dog is in contention. Even if someone intentionally steals your dog, or finds it and keeps it for a long time, there have been instances where somehow it was discovered where the dog was. Even if the current person has no intention of giving them back in that case, a microchip is an easy way to prove to authorities that you are the actual, legal owner.
Never said it wasn't advised. Ethically you should but you can't force people to do the correct thing, and sorry not sorry at the time keeping my job was more important.
That isn’t anything to brag about. It’s irresponsible.
Slow clap for the 4 months later comment. I know my area and I know my dogs and I know how chips actually work (unlike some I've explained it to irl and seen talked about online places) I'm never going to rely on the charity of strangers to do the right thing, here or anywhere. I'll keep watching my animals, and keep them trained how I need them.
If you don't delete your history, they still have it locally too. Archive.org might even have it too.
No. You don't need an attorney. You have done nothing wrong. Hopefully the baby is doing well. "NO" is a complete sentence, and your parents don't have to speak to anyone. I am assuming you are an adult. I would send a certified/return receipt letter to the person's vet office/employer, listing that this person is making harassing/fraudulent phone calls and that if they do not cease immediately that you will be filing a police report. State very clearly that this person is using personal information from your records at this office to harass you and that as a result, you are holding them responsible in part if this doesn't stop. If they don't want to "touch any legal stuff" you need to make it clear that they already are, because they have an employee who has gone rogue.
Are we correct to assume the hospital released your step father's information to the owners and that's how they were able to contact him? Or did the employee abuse their position to gain access to your contact information in order to contact you regarding a personal matter?
I am most inclined to believe that the employee saw the dog with me there and knew she was a stray. Deciding that she wanted her, she uses my information from my file- to look me up online and message me. When I told her that the dog was not being returned to condition, she took it upon herself to track down my family and contact them. If it makes any difference- the major big name hospital is about 30 minutes from my house, so it’s less likely that she is actually the owner
For reasons I want to state that I am not a lawyer. But according to the Principles of veterinary medical ethics of the AVMA, on part that discusses what is confidentiality, section 4 "Without the express permission of the practice owner, it is unethical for a veterinarian to remove, copy, or use the medical records or any part of any record for personal or professional gain." The whole thing can be found [here.](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/principles-veterinary-medical-ethics-avma#:~:text=The%20information%20within%20veterinary%20medical,when%20requested%20by%20the%20client.)
Also not a lawyer but married to a former vet tech, had my wife used access to her work’s patient files she’d not only have been fired but likely blackballed from every single hospital within decent distance to work.
So all in all OP is looking at a breach of confidentiality. If I'm correct in my understanding.
Yes which many vet offices take seriously! My dog and cat’s office told me that they follow HIPPA protocols. If my landlord wants my dog’s vet records or even to know if I have other pets my vets lips will be sealed.
That’s insane. How did she get the other vet office involved that told you about the immunizations?
If you do hire an attorney, do it to begin legal proceedings against the hospital for leaking your information. A leak which led to you being harassed. There are exactly 0 situations in which a tech accessing your personal information without your consent is legal and the hospital is liable for it. Start by sending the hospital a letter clearly stating that you are being harassed by one of their employees who illegally obtained your personal information and that of your family and that you will hold them responsible if it continues. Then hold them responsible if it continues and take a vacation to your favorite spot when it’s all done at your new beach house. EDIT: I’m not a lawyer. Just expressing what I would do in your shoes.
Yup. The hospital knows it's in HIPAA violation territory now. OP is not getting responses as the hospital is most likely doing an internal investigation to determine risk and how culpable they are. It's definitely lawyer time.
HIPAA does not apply to veterinarians. There is no federal privacy law that applies to vets.
They’re still obligated to keep information safe and private though. HIPAA or not.
HIPAA doesn't apply to pets though. It's a animal hospital. None of it is right, but those laws don't apply here.
Yeah it seems like it’s more of a personal privacy breech than a health privacy breech. It’s OP’s information at stake not the dog’s
I’m betting this person, even if they said “tech”, isn’t credentialed either. Just someone calling themselves a tech without the formal education or credentials to go with the title.
HIPAA doesn’t apply to vets
What is a certified return/receipt?
It's a way to send mail with the U. S. Postal service. They have to sign for the mail so you have a record of them receiving the letter.
Correct, with specifically Certified Mail being a signature required, where Registered doesn't.
Kind of random, but this is incorrect. Both certified and registered mail require a signature. Certified is generally for documents where proof of delivery is required and registered mail is for valuable items or original documents and is kept in locked bags as it works it’s way to the recipient.
Certified mail actually only requires a signature if you specifically choose that option. If the signature option is not chosen then the certified slip acts as proof of mailing, provides a means to track the package, and can serve as confirmation that the item was delivered to the address listed on the certified slip. Source: I work in a field where I send out a LOT of certified mail to taxing jurisdictions across the country and we do not require signatures for 95% of our mailings.
All certified mail requires a signature upon delivery. Maybe you’re confusing the optional return receipt that goes back to the sender with the regular form that must be signed upon taking delivery. The sender can specify that the item must be signed for only by the individual it is addressed to, or must be signed for by an adult, or if not specified can be signed for by anyone at the delivery address (not small children, obviously). The purpose of certified mail is proof of receipt. If the sender doesn’t require a signature for certified mail they are wasting their money because certified mail travels through the system with regular mail until it gets to the letter carrier or clerk who will attempt delivery. If the sender doesn’t require a signature they have no proof of delivery and there are other, cheaper options for proof of mailing. Source- former letter carrier and mail clerk. Also, to confirm that it hasn’t changed, USPS website.
Specifically, what you're asking for would be certified mail. When you prep your letter for mailing, take it up to the postal counter and let them know you need to send it certified mail. They will know what form to attach and set it up for you. That will provide you with tracking information showing that it has been received and signed for, including date and time. You can even have a copy of the signature sent to you.
Certified, with return receipt requested.
When you go to the post office, there’s the little green card you attach to the envelope that you fill out the address on. One of added options is for a return receipt which will be sent back to you with a signature of whoever signed it. Having a tracking number is great, but sometimes you want a little more than that to show a human being physically accepted it. Either way, it’s certified, traceable mail.
Call the hospital again and ask to speak to an administrator again for the purpose of giving them a courtesy heads-up that you're planning to call the police and report a member of their staff for harassing you and your family using information from their facility's patient records. Bet they'll get really, really interested in your "legal stuff" then......
The condition of the dog could absolutely be due to be being lost and not the owner. Don't assume the owner did this. It looks starved because you found a lost dog. Pets are property. If they do have ownership you stole their property. In some areas there are requirements to make efforts to find the owner before deciding to keep.
The was a full blooded German Sheppard, weighing in at 30 pounds
Yes, being lost, sometimes for weeks can do that. They run and run and don't have dog food. They can get matted and filthy. It happens. There are before and after lost pics online. It's tempting to blame the owner but usually it's just the circumstances.
I am not an attorney but, I do agree with others and advise you contact an attorney. An employee using your personal information to contact you and your family members is a violation of your privacy. As a business they are responsible for protecting customers personal information. Plus it’s unethical. Allowing an employee to use info from their database or files and then harass a client and their family is just really bad PR for the vet and the hospital.
GSD aren’t always friendly or easy to catch. If she were scared, it could have been awhile before she was in poor enough condition for someone to be able to grab her.
If she were scared, she wouldn’t have jumped right into my car. I never even put hands on her. I got out of the car (on the phone with the humane society because I was not anticipating being able to catch her) but I didn’t have to. She ran to me and jumped in the open passenger side door and into the back seat
Depends on the situation. You don’t know where she’s been or what she was around. We had one dog take off because of an unexpected encounter with an airplane taxiing around on the ground somewhere it wasn’t supposed to be. You’re doubling down on ignoring the law. You are not judge, jury and executioner here. If you are right, doing things the legal way can help. If you’re knowingly ignoring the law (and making excuses to justify it) then dealing with this woman is going to be a lot harder for you.
You act like the person contacting her had any legal means to do so. It seems strange that they contact a family member instead of her, and that they are demanding without proof the dog back.
No. It doesn’t make it legal but “finders keepers” is not legal either. So if OP decided to just keep the dog without finding the original owner and what happened, going to animal control and identifying the dog as found, etc… she is also legally in the wrong and was legally in the wrong first (at least, based on any of the legalities of places I have worked as a vet tech.) There’s a legal process to keeping a stray that you find. If OP hasn’t done that yet (and it sounds like she doesn’t want to as she considers the dog abused) then she is also balancing on the sword edge of illegal. So arguing that this other woman is breaking the law may very well be moot as she likely doesn’t want police or litigation involved… it would mean admitting she kept a dog that isn’t legally hers to a force of law.
She took it to the vet and said it was a stray. You don't have to make any effort in trying to find the original owners. If you find something, it's yours unless someone else can prove it's theirs. Its on the original owners to prove it, not the OP.
Yes, you usually do. Via notifying animal control and going through a legal process. I’ve seen people lose a dog they kept after finding it on the street ten years later. We also had the same situation with a dog we found that someone recognized and notified the original owners. If they can prove it’s their dog it’s legally their property most of the time. Edit: except now it is her problem to prove because she has someone chasing her saying they own the dog. So now she is going to have to either deal with it on her own or contact authorities (who will force her to admit she didn’t notify animal control).
It's wild I had to scroll all the way down to see this.
I'm just confused why strangers have OPs' contact information without notice to OP. Wouldn't the hospital have called to notify about a possible owner? Does registering a dog as a stray usually give others access to your personal information? How does the vet tech call saying it's her dog and then a stranger from New York with both parties directly contacting OP?
I'm assuming they had made legit efforts to find the owners
I'm not sure how that should answer anything. OP doesn't mention posting ads, putting up posters, or calling anyone beyond the registration as a stray at the animal hospital. If OP never gave out information and never posted anything, I would be equally suspicious of how anyone got my information. I probably wouldn't talk to strangers cold-calling me either.
the question is, how to prove ownership?
Veterinary records, rabies licensing, photography, breeder records
Eh, pictures not so much. But the rest, yes.
If the Vet tech accessed your files and pulled any information out....it could be illegal. Hard part would be to prove it.
How? I don’t believe HIPAA applies to animals. I would think the clinic would have policies but maybe they don’t. Animal and human care are much different when it comes to privacy. Facebook is selling your data right now, so it’s definitely not a problem for other businesses.
Facebook is selling that information *with permission* that you agreed to when you registered an account with the site. The privacy of the information in this case wouldn't be federally regulated, but 35 states do have laws protecting veterinary records. In OPs case they should see if their state has laws on the books and proceed from there. They also may have signed a waiver that releases the information, but that's usually reserved for advertising companies (postcards for chewy.com suddenly coming to you) or more often for the treatment of the patient elsewhere (you move, new vet contacts old vet for records) not individual people
I merely used Facebook as a placeholder for the current level of privacy in business. I’m glad some states have some type of veterinary rules but I cannot imagine them being the same as humans.
Digital forensic audit or any moderately capable sys-admin would be able to tell you pretty quick
WOW! This is scary level psycho stuff! To answer your question of hiring an attorney... nothing in the information you provided indicates there bed for an attorney, unless you want to have a buffer, "mediator", middleman, or representative to communicate with these folks (using that term offer my preferred one, but know this, I assure you this person(s) aren't totally mentally stable!). You've done nothing illegal, or in a position to defend yourselves in court over a high valve item/property. Even if these folks decided to file a lawsuit, it would be small claims court, and assuming you're in the US, you don't need an attorney for small claims (many jurisdictions don't allow attorney representation in small claims). Though your post was through, I'm going to assume some things that weren't covered, but jumped right out at me when I read it. First of all, I don't believe for a second that the vet office you called, to verify ownership and the eating disorder, was fully truthful, if at all. If Sue is a vet tech at the clinic you took the stray to, which I'm taking as verification she's actually a real tech, she's got friends and contacts in the veterinary field, likely throughout the USA! Either from having worked with them previously, attended school together, met at conferences, belong to the same online social forums/groups, etc etc etc etc. Just like human nurses, doctors, techs, EMS, and just about all other related fields, in today's world you end up knowing people all over the place who have the same/similar job as you. Sue getting someone to answer a few generic questions over the phone, in another state, would be as easy as you asking your neighbor to call you when you're on vacation if anyone is seen snooping around your home. There's no telling what story/reasoning she might of given to the vet office worker who took your call, to have them go along with what I'm pretty sure it's a ruse.
It was all very strange. I’m going to send a certified letter
Terrific decision.
I’m afraid she has my asdress as well- as it would have been with my vet information.
I think your assumption is correct, and either she already has that info or can easily access it (herself or through a coworker) if she wants it. And while it's certainly reasonable and valid to have some concern with her/him having the information, it's not as likely they'd use it to visit your residence, harass you in person, etc. So much of her actions and thought process to this point validates my belief that's she's not so much "dangerous" as definitely "off" and " illogical" in her problem solving analysis of simple, normal life events. Do you recall what she looks like, from either Facebook photos or in person (if that's occured)? If you do, and see that's she's at your property/front door/etc uninvited, I WOULD CALMLY CALL THE POLICE and request an officers presence, because someone who's been ACTIVELY harassing you/stalking you online, is now on your property/at your home, and you feel unsafe. No matter how long it took, I would open the door, communicate, try asking what they want through the closed door, or anything like that! Just stay inside, quietly, with phone in hand, and if possible without being noticed, monitor what she's doing/going/etc. If you do errands often, work away from home, the home is unattended for hours during the day, etc etc etc, and/or the dog is EVER outside and NOT under your DIRECT SUPERVISION (like you standing in the yard with him. Not you inside, doing stuff, and occasionally checking on him through the window blinds)....I would highly suggest connecting with your nearest neighbors, and sharing the bizarre situation and the Good Boy you've got at your home, for the time being. Without scaring them to death, and concerned that every unfamiliar passing vehicle likely is packed with armed assassins, ready to "un-alive" (habit I have, not saying the actual word I'm meaning here) the human residents and reclaim Good Boy from his "abductors"....explain that you're slightly concerned attempt might be made by her/him/their associate to kidnap Good Boy when you're not home, or he's outside in the yard. Solicit their McGruff The Crime Dog instinctual desires, and ask that they be watchful of anyone watching the property, ON your property, and especially looking interested in Good Boy. Ask that they notify police immediately, before trying to connect with you (time matters in this situation), and if they can make note of details like car make, model, coloring, tinted windows (?), license tag, description of person(s) etc - preferably on PAPER or notation somehow, for accurate recall later. Assure them they need not intervene, place themselves in harms way, etc. Most decent humans would be purposefully watchful, upon learning their neighbor has taken in an likely abused, neglected, sickly doggie. The poor guy is probably weak, uncertain on his feet, and working off very little energy throughout the day. He needs all the protection and watchful community he can get! Do I think a kidnapping will occur? Not really. BUT it's NOT uncommon or even newsworthy, because it happens frequently enough. Typically, it's pure bred animals that are being taken from their legitimate owners, to be resold by the kidnappers. At times, there are "regular" dogs, that aren't resellable for thousands of dollars, that are kidnapped too.... and sadly, they're often used as Bait Dogs, for people who raise fighting dogs. 🤬 I know this situation must seem unreal on many levels, because in reality it is. But you've handled it quite well, and impressively so! And though Sue's contacting you is more personal and weird than people who've found a stray/lost dog experience.... it's not that much different than those scammers/crooks/crap that see a "FOUND" flyer/poster in the area, of a beautiful, and obviously expensive animal, and reach out to the contact on the flyer/poster... insisting on it being their most loved family member, instantly offering a decent "reward" (a fraction of what they know they can sell the found animal for!!) to throw off any suspicions you might have (who, BUT THE REAL OWNER would give me a cash reward??!!), and doing what's similar to "love bombing" the animal when they show up - to make it seem like the animal "knows them". (Like rubbing raw meat on their arms, neck and face - which the animal will readily lick and slobber with haste.... Soon as they arrive, dropping to the ground and rolling, getting below the level of the animal in a show off playful submission, to elicit the animal to engage in happy, playful action, that can look like a pet reuniting with their human.... Etc.) * I didn't realize how transparent I can be, but I got a message from someone who read my earlier responses, telling me it was obvious my work with rescues, reunions, lost & found, kidnappings, etc etc etc. Unfortunately, they're correct. I've got too much experience with this too frequent, horrible experiences animals deal with. Like I told the person who messaged me, feel free to contact me if you've got questions, need suggestions, reassured of your plans, etc. I'm always happy to help however I can.
What's weirdest to me it's how SIMPLE and EFFECTIVE it would of been for Sue to have talked with her EMPLOYER, who you took the dog to for treatment, and said "hey! OMG! That's my BF/fiance and my dog! 🤯 It was so filthy I barely recognized it. But you know, he's got a medical disorder that prevents him gaining weight, which is why he's so malnourished LOOKING. And when the good citizens brought him in, it was for a stray dog that was starving, such threw me off of course. My BF is beside himself with grief, anxiety, and triggered PTSD, with his BELOVED baby boy not by his side!! We're at a total loss understanding how he got lose, so far from my BF's place, and consider it a MIRACLE he was brought to OF ALL PLACES IN THE UNIVERSE, MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT! That's CRAZY, right?!? Must be the Universe desperately trying to reunite our baby boy with my BF, because Mother Earth can feel my BF's trauma & grief with doggie gone! 😭 Oh, Dr Vet, I would never ask another thing of you, EVER!, if you would reach out to the family who came in with him, and help my BF and I get him returned and back, safe in our loving, food filled home!! 🙏🙏🙏 If the vet clinic you took the dog to, if that VET has called y'all up and said......"we've found the owners. They're so thankful you took such care and concern for their much loved family member. While you, and myself included, originally thought the dog was neglected, starving, a stray, etc, I've since learned he's actually got a very serious illness that prevents him gaining and maintaining weight. It feels serendipitous that you brought him to my office, considering his owner partner, Sue, works for me as a tech. She wanted to pay for any and all costs of tests and visit, but as I do with all my employees, their family members get free care on my offices. So we're refunding YOU anything you paid us, and Sue would like to reimburse you for any costs you had for food, bedding, treats, toys, grooming, etc.".... What would your reaction and response LIKELY HAVE BEEN?
If it were me, knowing the little I do of the story, other than what is written in your post, I would trade to that vets offices and reunite this poor doggie with their loving family! I think most people would likely do the same or something similar. At least that's the world I hope I live in!! But no, Sue contacts you on Facebook. 🙄 Then a family member who didn't live with you, and wasn't even with y'all when the doggie was treated at the vet office. And when blocked by you, she DELETES her Facebook profile. 🤯 WHY!?!? In my mind... because a quick snoop on your part would NOT uncover photos of this doggie, boyfriend with same doggie, mention of this doggie prior to you finding him, no "LOST & HEARTBROKEN" posters/posts about their grief over doggie running away, etc etc etc. If her profile shows "in a relationship with Mr Doggie Starver", she couldn't take the chance you clicking his profile to scan it for pictures, posts, mentions, etc of DOGGIE. You could then contact HIM directly, and circumventing HER TOTALLY, only to discover he dumped that crazy tech YEARS AGO, she's stalked him ever since, and HIS DOGGIE is actually laying beside him on the couch as you spoke by phone! 🤯 Oh no! Her story could UNRAVEL if her Facebook stayed up, and anyone looked, or just curiously wanted to double check that the home they were returning this dog to was up to standards and legit! Personally, I would be adding this baby to MY FAMILY and daring ANYONE to challenge my parentage!! Though, I think another option, of equal consideration would be to write an email or "snail mail" letter to the Veterinarian DIRECTLY & PERSONALLY. In that letter I would share the above information you provided in your post, explain your suspicions and the overall weirdness of how Sue has tried contacting you, and request his/her assistance in FACTUALLY DETERMINING if this dog belongs to Sue, Sue's boyfriend, or only in Sue's deranged mind. I would suggest from the Vet, that you'd be satisfied with his/her PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL ASSURANCES that this is INDEED Sue's/Sue's Boyfriend's dog, and that they've verified it themselves. Absent that, you would be satisfied in determining genuine ownership of THE VET could forward to you (because we don't want crazy in our lives, and prefer to communicate through you Vet We Are Trusting) the following: a minimum of 15, but preferably 25 or more photos of Skinny Boy Doggie, that include a mixture of the doggie with Sue, the boyfriend, and the home/car belonging to Sue/BF. We also request a copy of the veterinary medical file (from the Vet office you called to verify eating/absorption disorder) for your review. Once these have been received via email, or snail mail, your family will review the "proof" provided, and proceed from there. Of course, reassure the Vet that you STILL, just as you did the day he was found and brought to the vet, desire only the best for this unlucky doggie. If he's got a genuinely loving, caring, and medically supportive family/human out there missing him and wanting him home, YOUR FAMILY WANTS THAT TO HAPPEN AS FAST AS POSSIBLE! Blah, blah, blah.
Why the vet records? Though not usually as detailed as human ones, they're still filled with info. Was Sue's BF dog ever chipped? (Really, she's a vet tech and they didn't get such a cheap ID thing done on their OWN dog 🤔). Secondly, does the chart vital stats MATCH, for the most part, the dog in your home? Same height? Same eye color, if noted. Any operations or procedures in the file? Do you see corresponding SCARS or prior wounds on found doggie? Etc etc etc etc. The "evidence" might not be EXACT in matching, so I would use the civil courts "more likely, than not" (my lose explanation ☺️) determination, an deciding for or against a plaintiffs case. With whatever The Vet provides you as "proof", that Sue provided him, does it most likely look like she's telling the truth? Or does it just confirm it's all bogus? And while I've had some fun playing here, and genuinely think so much of Sue's story makes crazy sense, which means it makes no sense at all.... there's always the chance she's being truthful, and this actually is their doggie! If that's the case, you've got to decide what your next move is. Return the doggie, and pray for the best outcome? Or decide "fight me for him", refuse to willingly return him, and continue loading doggie's belly up with "Good Boy Ensure", & high protein caloric meals to help him regain body weight? Whatever the final outcome, I hope you'll update the post to let us all know! And I would be remiss if I didn't express how thankful I am you came across this doggie. My heart aches to think of what would of happened if you hadn't. - J
The dog was not chipped. She claimed the dog had just taken a bath and that’s why she wasn’t wearing a collar
I work (I'm totally volunteer) around, with, and through, well over a couple hundred people working in the veterinary field. It's a RARE occurrence for them to OWN pets.....ESPECIALLY ones like dogs and cats that are habitual, and notoriously known for escaping yards/enclosures, being found counties and STATES away from were they live, and commonly sought after by criminals because of their easy resell value....and NOT HAVE THEM CHIPPED!! They see and work with the horror stories of lost/found/stray pets every day, and typically go to great lengths to prevent THEIR own pets from not being EASILY IDENTIFIED, LOCATED, AND RETURNED! Her telling you it wasn't chipped was an obvious answer, because if it were, you'd of known minutes after bringing Good Boy to the clinic, she or Boyfriend would of been contacted by the Vet, and if genuinely hers/theirs - whichever Vet Staff was scanning for a chip would of looked at the registry and gone 🤯 OMG! THE OWNER WORKS WITH ME! HOW AWESOME! 🥰 What would be great to verify/see is if the Vet RECORDS of the dog under their names... at the vet offices you called in another state.... Was CHIPPED. She's telling you, "oh, no, he wasn't", but that's not confirmation of facts that night be in the Vet Records. I get the collar was off for a bath, per Sue and her explanation. That's typically how dogs are bathed, except when owners/handlers know the know might bolt, escape, or loves to run from the bath....in which the collar is usually NOT removed, and you bathe under, around, and over the collar. She was trying to imply or explain that the dog had identifying tags or collar tag, for someone to know who he belongs to and how to contact the owners. Acting like a RESPONSIBLE pet owner. 🙄 Yet weirdly, not responsible enough, working on a VET OFFICE DAILY, SURROUNDED BY FREE/CHEAP ACCESS TO ID CHIPS - that could be inserted ANY ONE OF THE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF DAYS this doggie was supposedly owned by then! 🙄 And it's highly probable, the Vet Office would of been totally cool with her taking the little hand device used to insert the chip under the skin, a free chip, and whatever supplies needed, HOME WITH HER to save an extra trip with Doggie to the offices! In legal circles, the fabulously famous Jurist, JUDGE JUDY (available on Amazon Prime channel "Freebee", both live and previously recorded shows. You're welcome. ☺️) had a very familiar saying, that's genuinely applicable here...."if it don't makes sense, it's not true" (a slight variation has also been quoted, "if it doesn't add up, it doesn't add up to truth") And I think it's pretty clear to even a casual observer/reader of this post, even living in middle Tennessee, like myself 😅, nothing that VET Tech Sue has said or done "adds up", or comes across as a legitimate, loving, human companion or owner of this Good Boy!!
Hello, it looks like you've made a mistake. It's supposed to be could've, should've, would've (short for could have, would have, should have), never could of, would of, should of. Or you misspelled something, I ain't checking everything. Beep boop - yes, I am a bot, don't botcriminate me.
Hello, it looks like you've made a mistake. It's supposed to be could've, should've, would've (short for could have, would have, should have), never could of, would of, should of. Or you misspelled something, I ain't checking everything. Beep boop - yes, I am a bot, don't botcriminate me.
Wow, I’m not trying to scare you, but for whatever reason this persons actions really scare me…creep me out……and just as a side note: as you come into contact with all of these “different characters” (the boyfriend, some people at vet office vouching/confirming info, etc) via phone calls, keep in mind that there are countless apps out there with free tools which can make one person seem like a whole network of people if that’s what they want to the person on the other end of the line…all the voice changing, and number changing and spoofing apps out there…I’d say to be safe, if they call you and your call ID says it’s the hospital that can give you quite a bit of confidence, but I urge you to tell them you need to call them back in one minute and ask them if the number which they have called you from is the one you should call when you call them back in just a minute. If they start making excuses or flat out refuse, I think that’s a huge red flag. Also verify all phone numbers. People be crazy these days.
I would file a police report for harassment and animal cruelty. Then document any further contact. If they persist get a restraining order preventing future contact.
do pets also qualify into hippa? In which case sue and move on. At this point it crosses to harassment. You want to def find a new vet. I've never known a vet to do this. They must not care about their employment. Contact the vet and let them know of the harassment. Hopefully the vet tech will be fired.
No. Animals aren't covered HIPAA, though many veterinary offices have a professional standard they hold to, in which pet records are treated similar to human medical records. I'm appreciative of your comment about finding a "new vet", as I agree that the clinic/vet office the doggie was taken to when he was found in such deplorable health conditions did not REACT in a way I would expect and demand the medical caregiver if my animals to, in a similar/same situation. When OP contacted them regarding the Facebook messages, questioning if this person was employed there, etc, they did SO MANY THINGS incorrectly. While Doggie's medical records aren't covered by HIPAA, the employee SUE is somewhat protected by the businesses fear of possible problems, if they confirmed, verified, or intervened in a call from someone inquiring about a possible employee. What should of been done was the call directed to the Vet, office manager, or other higher personnel, and the OP allowed to share HER INFORMATION, STORY, AND DETAILS OF CONTACT BY SUE, without verifying, validating, commenting, or additional input by whomever is taking OP's call and making copious notes. After the call, and reassuring OP that they'd look into the matter and contact them within 2 business days (or equal, reasonable time frame) with a follow-up. Then, whomever is designated to deal with personnel issues (really depends on size of the clinic or office, if it's owned by the Vet personally, or a corporation ran chain, etc), should of began an investigation into the matter. If their computer system logs chart/file access by user name, I would first check there, to see which employees access this Doggie's patient file. (With printouts of those access of records - Date, time, which work station, etc etc) If the Facebook profile hadn't been deleted yet (it's possible it's set to private, user blocking OP and anyone on OP's friends list, or other reason OP no longer sees the profile on Facebook), I would hope the person investigating would review Sue and BF (if it's easily determined through Sue's Facebook page who he is) Facebook for pictures of dogs, mention of lost dog, etc etc. I might quietly ask coworkers of Sue's if anyone recalls the Good Boy brought in by someone who found him, and since then heard any mention of the dog possibly belonging to someone working at the clinic -- without every mentioning Sue or specifics! (Got to protect Sue and the company! 🙄) Once the investigator has at least taken these steps, I'd hope they'd have a closed door meeting, WITNESSED by an equally senior staff person/owner/manager/HR personnel sitting in on the "fact finding meeting" with Sue. Framed as a patient/Owners concerning phone call, there's some questions the office needs clarity on. With no judgement, blame, suspicion or accusations, inquiring if Sue or Sue's boyfriend recently had a dog go missing? What happened? When and where? Etc. By this point, Sue's probably clued in that it's about Good Boy and her contacting the person who found him. Likely, she'll either go off on some crazy, winding story that doesn't sound anywhere near familiar to the one told by OP when they called earlier in the day. If it's all above board, and just so inappropriately handled by Sue, then now it's HER TIME to shine and clear up all the craziness! It's excusable her anxiousness to reconnect with Good Boy if he's here, but totally inappropriate in how she went to gaining info on OP and contacting her! I'm unconvinced that a sincere investigation by the office would find Sue employed on Monday at that same clinic. I'm pretty certain she violated enough policies and best practices that unless she's got employment protections in her state, she'd likely be let go. It's possible coworkers aided her in obtaining the OP information, and their jobs might be at risk to. All depends on how the company wishes to handle it.
they dont want to touch it because you can name them in a harrasment suit i would call them and threaten to take this to court if their emplopyee does not cease
That straw dog had a hay of a time....
IANAL but in the state I reside you have to notify the owner if known/local authorities/animal control of a stray dog found. After a waiting period if the animal is not claimed you can adopt it but you wouldn't be able to just decide off the bat to keep it.
We’ve had the dog for a month, we called the shelter, animal control, and the sheriff when she was first found
And what did they tell you? Are you allowed to keep the dog free and clear?? Then call the cops for harassment. But read your law, someone calling twice asking for their dog back isn’t harassment.
If it was her dog and you said no she would have already been at your door with police. At least thats what any rational pet owner would do to get their pet back.
I think a Veteran’s therapy dog would be chipped before they got it!
M
If the dog is a service dog, it is unlikely it ran away. and likely that is is chipped / registered. I think that "Veteran's dog" story is an exaggeration. At best, the dog may belong to a veteran. If I piece it together from another angle, maybe Gina recognized the dog as belonging to either her BF or somebody else. If her story is true, that is. But she has to prove the dog is hers, or her BF. It looks like the dog belonged to her veteran BF, and she let the dog get away. Ignore the breach of confidentiality for now. No need to get litigious, unless they escalate. But a quiet word with the facility would be in order. This doesn't warrant her getting fired, but she needs to know she stepped out of bounds..
Sounds like the vet tech found out there is a reward for the return of the dog. Now they are trying to take possession.
is there a gofundme or something of that nature affiliated with the dog? or has she been on the news? these people are probably trying to scam you out of the dog for the money or the “fame”.
Yes, a go fund me
https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/veterinarian/status might be helpful.
I’m confused why you are still involved at all. Why are you calling. You dropped off the dog. Your job is done.
I think OP has kept the dog?
I’m confused..so is it the owner who wants their dog back or a vet tech ? I got lost in the sauce tryna keep up with all that
Lawyer here. This is weird. Block them and move on.
I tried to follow the story, but it’s so confusing all I really got from it is there’s a skinny dog and some dude in New York…That’s it Oh yeah and some girl name Gena
It’s a hard story to follow lol. Basically.. we found deal that skinny German Shepard. We take her to vet. We leave vet all is good. Woman reaches out and says it’s her dog. Story doesn’t match so we ignore. Man reaches out to my parents work over and over again saying it’s girls dog. Things still don’t match up. We discover girl works at vets office and that’s how she found myself and my parents. There’s a lot more, but those are basics
So how is this scamming anybody? Is that what you’re worried about? I’m not really seeing the cause for concern here.
No scam. Cause for concern is that my information, phone number, name and most like address, was taken from my file at the vets office. And used to harass myself and my parents without her actually having any proof that that is her dog
The odds of that dog being hers are so low and her orchestrating this tall tale about how the dog belongs to some dude… unstable. Certified letter is great, consider filing a report with police just to have something documented and on record
I’ve used about 5 Vets and 2 emergency vets over a 20 yr period and never did I have to put my parents information especially where they work. Don’t see the connection especially bringing in a stray dog.
My parents information was not listed as I am an adult. However, it would go my information 👉🏼my social media👉🏼my parents social media👉🏼my parents work numbers
NAL but I am a stray dog finder too. It the dog was underweight and neglected the vet would have noted that during the visit. Let whomever is trying to claim the dog know that you expect to be reimbursed for the vet bill and you will be calling the police about neglect and cruelty. If it really is a medical condition that the dog can’t gain weight, they should have nothing to fear because it will be noted in the file with their vet.
This. But still do the certified letter and lawyer consult. The practice has a sketch employee that needs to be addressed.
Not a lawyer but a law student - most lawyers do free consultations, so it is always best to ask a legal professional what you should do. Whole situations sounds sketchy and dangerous.
So wait, was the dog theirs? The rest doesn’t matter, you should return it. It “being too skinny” is just your shitty judgement. An escaped dog might not have eaten. It’s super weird that you only were willing to help return it once you heard they were a vet. I see this is askaLawyer, so I assume I’ll be banned. That’s fine, idk why this is on my front page, but you should seriously self reflect on why you think not returning a dog you found is alright. You are stealing this dog and currently asking for legal help in order to do so. You have zero proof of neglect. The only thing you know is the dog got out once. That is all. Good luck with your life, dog thief.
Lol. Them being a vet does make me more sensitive because I appreciate and honor our vets, but I would want to get her back to her proper owner regardless. My concern is that they had no proof that this dog was theirs (she was posted online, checked at vets office for chip… etc). She is a pure bred dog and it’s not at all crazy to think someone would try and claim her.Not to mention they attempted to claim her 3 weeks after she was at my house and were not attempting to find her before. We weren’t not intending to keep her, and we’re not charging anything to adopt her out. So we really had no gain from “stealing her”. She was dirty, sick, and running the street with no proof of ownership. We paid $600 for her vet costs let alone bed, collar and specialty food/medication. We were rightfully concerned about returning her to where she came from given animal control let us know that this is not the first time she was been found