Advice needed please....

c_lady89

just looking for a bit of info on my rights, any info is gonna be helpful.

ok here goes,
somebody reported me to the gspca for supposidly mistreating my dog and not feeding him...which is complete rubbish.

the inspector came to my house to take my dog away and i agreed for her to take him for an assment as i have nothing to hide. the inspectors adviser called me yesterday sayin that my dog is happy and healthy after them doing there assment so firstly i asked when can i have him back and i got a reply basically her saying because i have 3yr old daughter its not a good idea for the dog to return home..yet she said the dog was fine. in my eyes this is just a sad excuse to return the dog.

id just like to know what my rights are regarding this and where do i stand legally.

thanks again.

kennyw

Oh my god.. That is terrible..

Wat type of dog is it that you own.?

I cant give any legal advise or know where to start, but i do wish you all the best with this, and I hope you get your dog back as soon as possible and get the outcome that you deserve, which is getting your pet back.!!

ppink

What??? Are you serious?

The Gspca are not affiliated to the Ispca from what i can see

http://www.ispca.ie/Members-Galway.aspx

how did they have ot take your dog away to prove you are not feeding it....surely that is visable on the spot?

They have zero rights ot tell you you cant have the dog back as far as I know, unless maybe it is restricted breed and you are on council land and by-laws forbid it??

portgirl123

OMG, i cant believe that they can do this, dont know the legal aspect but surely they cant keep ur dog because u have kids, if this is the case sure dogs would be takin off nearly half dog owners. Not that it matters what breed is the dog? even if on the restricted list they cant keep your dog. if this was me i would be shouting from the hightest spot i could find, police, dog warden council. solicitors. i would be demanding my dog back NOW.

c_lady89

he is a 3yr old staffie.....pure ould baby!

this had caused so much stress in the house since he left & thats 2weeks monday coming. had to tell the little 1 he was going on holidays for a lil while. broke our hearts.

i cant seem to find any info online about a matter like this.
and seems nobody i no knows anything about the power they have to keep our dog.

portgirl123

Sorry just to clear my own mind. Did you see id card. Are you sure this was a bona fida inspector?

ppink

Are you on council property or your own place?

c_lady89

i have heard of that inspector from alot of people i know she is legit.

not many people seem to like her including the dog warden from his area. he is bulling over whats happened...in less words he sais she is nothing but a cu*t

Interceptor

If you didn't mistreat the dog, why did you let them take it away? I'd have told them to get knotted and to go back to whoever made the false report. Did you get any paperwork or the name of the people assessing your dog?

'cptr

c_lady89

ppink wrote: »

Are you on council property or your own place?

no im in rented accom.

c_lady89

Interceptor wrote: »

If you didn't mistreat the dog, why did you let them take it away? I'd have told them to get knotted and to go back to whoever made the false report. Did you get any paperwork or the name of the people assessing your dog?

'cptr

simply because i have nothing to hide and was happy for them to check him out.

andreac

Eh i suggest a solicitor ASAP!! You need to act fast with this situation. I cant understand why you would just hand over your dog like this??

c_lady89

andreac wrote: »

Eh i suggest a solicitor ASAP!! You need to act fast with this situation. I cant understand why you would just hand over your dog like this??

as i said before i have nothing to hide and they just said he was fine i will be ringing the lady that rang me yesterday and demanding him back or they can deal with my solicitor

Bookworm85

Hmmm,

OP this 'inspector' seems very suspicious.

I've never heard of a dog being removed for asessment before! An animal would have to be in fairly bad state before it is seized.

When you say she is legit, what do you mean? What organisation is she working for? Could she be a dog warden? If you know her name call the ISPCA and your local authority asap to confirm whether or not she belongs to them.

If she isn't affiliated with either go STRAIGHT to the gardai!

ppink

c_lady89 wrote: »

as i said before i have nothing to hide and they just said he was fine i will be ringing the lady that rang me yesterday and demanding him back or they can deal with my solicitor

the reason we are saying this is because there have been several "incidences" like this and some have resulted in dogs being kept in pounds for years while legal battles ensue. Also a lot of dodgy people picking up dogs who claim to be wardens and are not! but you know this warden so at least that is not the case with you.
If I were you I would go there and demand the dog back if not call the guards and let them sort it out on the spot.

c_lady89

Bookworm85 wrote: »

Hmmm,

OP this 'inspector' seems very suspicious.

I've never heard of a dog being removed for asessment before! An animal would have to be in fairly bad state before it is seized.

When you say she is legit, what do you mean? What organisation is she working for? Could she be a dog warden? If you know her name call the ISPCA and your local authority asap to confirm whether or not she belongs to them.

If she isn't affiliated with either go STRAIGHT to the gardai!

i have contact details for her and her supervisor and everything checks out regarding names...


well the inspector said she wasnt trained to acess the dog and there vet would have to look at him.

she is an inspector for the galway spca.

andreac

This is a very bizarre situation if you ask me and it doesnt add up at all...

I would be down there right now demanding my dog back. You need to act now and not be waiting around to get in touch with wardens etc.

CreedonsDogDayc

Maybe the quickest and easiest thing would be to pretend that your 'brother' is taking the dog as you've had a think about it and you dont have the time to dedicate to the dog as well as the baby? Most important thing is to get the dog back in your custody. And make sure you have a dog licence!
Once you have the dog back kick up a major fuss, there is NO reason for you not to have your dog because you have a child. Its ridiculous!!

sirbob

as far as i know they have no authority to keep ur dog i would go straught down an demand it bac an contact a solicitor this is another case of sumone been to big in der boats an over steping the line then they wonder why ppl dont like them in der profession its terrible ....

wish you the best of luck hope you get ur dog bac soon

Bookworm85

c_lady89 wrote: »

i have contact details for her and her supervisor and everything checks out regarding names...


well the inspector said she wasnt trained to acess the dog and there vet would have to look at him.

she is an inspector for the galway spca.

The Galway SPCA might not be affiliated with the ISPCA. Call the ISPCA now to see if they are, and if they aren't then they had no right to take your dog. Check this out now OP, dont delay any longer please. If it turns out they are nothing to do with the ISPCA contact the gardai please!

ETA: ISPCA - 044 33 25035

Bookworm85

OP, just did a bit of digging,

According to the ISPCA website they do not have an inspector for galway

http://www.ispca.ie/Inspectorate-Fast-Facts.aspx

If I were you I'd get down their now and get your dog back!

CreedonsDogDayc

if your going to go down and demand the dog back id recommend going to the guards first, explain your situation, and get a garda to go to get the dog with you

c_lady89

have just got off the phone with the inspectors supervisor.

she said due to the allegations made this matter is being taking seriously and there will be a decision made on tuesday.

supposidly there ''research'' says that the dog is protective of its enviorment...i just said to her that is every dog not just a certian breed. i said they would be hearing from my soliciotr and she said that its 100% my right to do so. but im being met with dead ends when it comes to straight answers. im just going to go to the guards and tell them the situation as im dealing with a lovely guard there about a different matter. i have bin in touch with the warden for this area before and was talking to him this morning...he said there a load of A-holes and think they can bully people.

the warden was collecting a stray dog that i took in a few months ago and seem my dog..i thought that if there was a problem he would have said something but he said he was such a friendly dog and there was not a thing wrong with him.

im going to get on to the ISPCA now an see what they have to say about this.

andreac

Afaik they cannot seize your dog without a court order, so get to a solicitor now!!!!

Bookworm85

OP get your dog now,

its 4.30 on a Friday, if you leave it any longer he'll be probably be stuck there for the rest of the weekend. Go down to the guards and get one of them to accompany you when you pick him up.

ppink

c_lady89 wrote: »

i have contact details for her and her supervisor and everything checks out regarding names...


well the inspector said she wasnt trained to acess the dog and there vet would have to look at him.

she is an inspector for the galway spca.

I dont know how she can claim that OP..either the dog is underweight or not

Tranceypoo

Bookworm85 wrote: »

Hmmm,

OP this 'inspector' seems very suspicious.

I've never heard of a dog being removed for asessment before! An animal would have to be in fairly bad state before it is seized.

When you say she is legit, what do you mean? What organisation is she working for? Could she be a dog warden? If you know her name call the ISPCA and your local authority asap to confirm whether or not she belongs to them.

If she isn't affiliated with either go STRAIGHT to the gardai!

+1 million
I know you said you have nothing to hide but I still don't understand why you would hand over your dog, did this woman have any ID on her? Do you know where your dog is being kept? Can you go to where the dog is? I would literally be banging on the door to get to my dog.
I find this completely bizarre.
Do you know who reported you? Is it anything to do with your dog being a Staffy do you think?

Edited as I've just read page 2, I was so irate I didn't realise there was a page 2!!
I know exactly who you mean there is only 1 inspector for the GSPCA, I would be very very very surprised if they have any rights or power to keep your dog, is it being held at the gspca place in Killimor? If so I would be straight down there and I tell you, there's no way I'd be leaving without my dog.
I'm literally even more amazed reading page 2!!

Tranceypoo

Just to say, DO NOT LET THEM BULLY YOU, I have had quite a few dealings with the gspca and whilst they do have dogs best interests at heart, sometimes they can be a bit 'misguided' shall we say
They are NOT affiliated with the ISPCA
They DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO KEEP YOUR DOG

There will be someone there this evening and at the weekend, go and get your dog, bring someone with you who you trust but don't leave without your dog.

I'm actually infuriated reading this post. HOW DARE THEY!!!

bitter_lemon

well i'm sure they had the dogs welfare in mind. i hardly doubt it was taken for no reason

Sigma Force

We're only getting one side of the story here but it does all sound a bit odd.
Can't even get an warden or anything round here if there are loose dogs running around so suprised they went to so much trouble to get the dog and take the dog usually an animal would have to be in a bad way and behaviour wise many dogs are protective of their environment from toy dogs to terriers to labs.

Btw vets in general are not qualified to assess a dogs behaviour unless they have trained in this area they can give an assessment of health and general behaviour but can't give you an in-depth proffesional assessment unless they have the qualifications to back it up.

c_lady89

sorry only letting ye know this now was on the phone to the Ispca.

the lady said to go to the guards and report him stonlen and to providde all the details i have of them and to make a formal complaint to the bord of gspca.


long story cut short i know exactly who reported me.....because all they want to do is cause as much trouble and stress for me as they can. making up bull to just to get at me....im goin up to the guards now to make a statement.

c_lady89

Tranceypoo wrote: »

Just to say, DO NOT LET THEM BULLY YOU, I have had quite a few dealings with the gspca and whilst they do have dogs best interests at heart, sometimes they can be a bit 'misguided' shall we say
They are NOT affiliated with the ISPCA
They DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO KEEP YOUR DOG

There will be someone there this evening and at the weekend, go and get your dog, bring someone with you who you trust but don't leave without your dog.

I'm actually infuriated reading this post. HOW DARE THEY!!!

just wondering where to go as they have not told me nor will they tell me where my dog is being kept.

which ISPCA said they cant keep that information from me.
so i will go tomorrow as its late now and it will more than likely be a long drive if he is in the sancutry.

Tranceypoo

I'd be almost sure he'd be at the sanctuary, where abouts in Galway are you? Do you know where it is in Killimor? I can give you direction if you need them, or (ironically), there are directions on their website.

Honestly, in the past I have found it hard to get the gspca to respond to any reports of dogs or horses that I have phoned them on so I'm astonished that this woman just took the dog away on the story of one person.

I would head out to the sanctuary in the morning, as I said, take someone with you who knows the whole situation, don't know about you but if it was me I would be inclined to lose the head a bit so I would need someone to keep the situation calm, also to give you some support and help you stand your ground. If they flat out refuse to give the dog to you I would phone the guards in front of them and tell them that your dog that you reported stolen is here at the gspca, you have proof you own him (bring any vets receipts, pictures, licence if you have it, anything you can think of that could be used as proof it's your dog) and they won't give it back to you and you want to report them.

Also, would it be possible to get the ISPCA to call them on this, they're not affiliated I know but a call to reiterate to them what they have told you?

boomerang

OP when the lady took the dog, did she make you sign some paperwork? If so you may have unwittingly signed over the dog to the GSPCA and may not be able to get him back in the eyes of the law.

I cannot believe what I am reading here. :eek:

Discodog

It would appear that the GSPCA did not seize, steal, or take the dog. The owner agreed to let them take it. So it all boils down to what was said & agreed. Did you get a receipt for the dog ?. Do you have any witnesses to the conversation between you & the Inspector ?. I suspect that the dog would be released immediately if a solicitor called the GSPCA.

fatmammycat

First of all you should NEVER have let your dog go, regardless of having nothing to hide or not. She could easily have looked the animal over and checked if it was underweight or in pain or had no shelter or whatever on site. ( I'm not saying this is the case, but in yard I worked years ago someone called the DSPCA complaining about the dogs and they came and rolled their eyes at the stupidity of the complaint once they saw the dogs)
Secondly, this animal is your property and they have no right to take your property for no reason. Go get your animal back ASAP before something dreadful happens. Did you sign paperwork to release the animal?

Tranceypoo

OP, just wondered if there was any outcome to this situation yet?

fatmammycat

Has there been any news on this poor dog?

c_lady89

hi guys.

had to wait till this morning to do anything as the ones that deal with this sort of stuff are not around at the weekends.
so they lady i spoke to on friday was an utter rude B****! i said my solicitor would be in touch on monday with her.

soooo....

got a call at roughly half 9 this morning from another inspector just as i was putting in credit to get back on to them.

he arranged a time to come to my house and speak with us over the matter.


long story cut short our dog is safe and sound back at HOME:)

no problem with the dog what so ever apart from the brand of food i was feeding him wasnt good for him so change that and bobs your uncle!!


thanks everyone for your help on this


cheers!!!

ppink

so he was skinny then as a result of the food? sometimes it can be hard ot find the right food for you particular dog but I would have thought they should have discussed this with you first off rather than taking the dog?

anyway glad you got it sorted

andreac

What food was the dog on and what one are you going to feed him now?

c_lady89

It was the optidog one from lidl.... didnt think anything of it picking it up for him, the man recomended to feed him workers.

seems the food i was feeding him he wasnt getting enough from it...
if i knew that i wouldnt have been feeding him it.
so off went my OH and got a bag of the workers food.

he said that he was a slight bit under weight but thats not a issure due to his age just the food i was giving him wasnt worth even buyin.

but all i have to say about that woman inspector is that she is nothing but a walking C***!

she has no people skills nor knows how to talk to a person in such a situation as when she came here.

andreac

What is the workers food?? Where did you get it? Lidl food is pure muck really, and unless i was very poor and on a very low budget i wouldnt feed supermarket food of any sort.

I suggest you go to a good pet shop and get a good quality food like Royal Canin, Burns, Red Mills, James Wellbeloved or Hills, there is plenty to choose from.

What breed is your dog again?

ppink

well you will always get odd personalities everywhere I suppose.

I dont know anything about the workers brand but if you are stuck and need advice on food this forum is usually quite good. some foods just will not suit your dog and thats it. there are so many out there now though it can be hard to pick and of course depend on your budget for the food.

portgirl123

great news that you got your dog back. Just becareful changing over brands of food, dont do it all at once or you will give your dog a bad tummy,. do it gradually over a period of 5-7 days, decreasing his old food so edventually your just feeding him the new stuff

piperh

Can i just ask was he obviously skinny?

CreedonsDogDayc

delighted he's home!

c_lady89

i wouldnt have thought he was skinny but he wasnt fat either.


seems this workers food is for working dogs and is full of eveything they need. if he recomended it it has to be good. he said thats what he feeds his two rotties.

yeah he said to gradually reduce what i was feeding him and mix in the workers till hes off it..basically weening him off the other food i was feeding him.

im still not happy with them and there actions and will be getting back on to them over it, ill let it lay for today as he is home here with us now. maybe go to the chairperson of the gspca, and see what they have to say about the way this was delt with

ISDW

c_lady89 wrote: »

i wouldnt have thought he was skinny but he wasnt fat either.


seems this workers food is for working dogs and is full of eveything they need. if he recomended it it has to be good. he said thats what he feeds his two rotties.

yeah he said to gradually reduce what i was feeding him and mix in the workers till hes off it..basically weening him off the other food i was feeding him.

im still not happy with them and there actions and will be getting back on to them over it, ill let it lay for today as he is home here with us now. maybe go to the chairperson of the gspca, and see what they have to say about the way this was delt with

Most pet food companies do a 'working' food, what is the brand?

c_lady89

just says worker complete on the bag and at the bottom says welham estate???

Shanao

Had a look at the website, doesn't look like a very good quality food- when you click on details it doesn't even tell you what's in it. Tbh, I'd stay away from it and get a good quality food like one of the ones andreac mentioned.

OP- Is there a list of ingredients on the bag? The first ingredient of a good quality dog food should be a meat meal or dried meat.