Charging for picking up a dog

adam88

Mods- not sure if this is the right forum. Feel free to move.

Basically, my father has a dog, the dog keeps getting out and we accept full responsibility for this. Yesterday the dog went missing and a local rang a local dog charity to pick up the dog, this morning they posted it on Facebook and we knew it was our dog. My father went over to collect the dog and the dog would not be released until a fee of 50 euros was handed over. The person who runs this charity said the dog did not have a chip despite we having proof it was chipped.

This charity is in no way connect to the county council and as far as they are concerned have no right to collect dogs and charge for the service. I rang this man and asked him to give the money back to my father and the abuse I received was uncalled for. When asked what would happen if he didn’t pay the money he said he’d have kept the dog. Surely this isn’t right, the guards say it’s a civil matter.

I’d be more than willing to pay a donation but when the local pound only charge 15 euros a night I think his charge of 50 euro is very wrong.

Any advice on how to approach this

Dial Hard

Write the 50 quid off as a harsh lesson learned and tell your dad to secure his garden properly. There's absolutely no reason or excuse for the dog repeatedly escaping and you won't continue to be so lucky. If he gets hit by a car the next time you'll have a dead dog and a bill for the damage to the car on your hands instead of a measly fifty quid.

harr

adam88 wrote: »

Mods- not sure if this is the right forum. Feel free to move.

Basically, my father has a dog, the dog keeps getting out and we accept full responsibility for this. Yesterday the dog went missing and a local rang a local dog charity to pick up the dog, this morning they posted it on Facebook and we knew it was our dog. My father went over to collect the dog and the dog would not be released until a fee of 50 euros was handed over. The person who runs this charity said the dog did not have a chip despite we having proof it was chipped.

This charity is in no way connect to the county council and as far as they are concerned have no right to collect dogs and charge for the service. I rang this man and asked him to give the money back to my father and the abuse I received was uncalled for. When asked what would happen if he didn’t pay the money he said he’d have kept the dog. Surely this isn’t right, the guards say it’s a civil matter.

I’d be more than willing to pay a donation but when the local pound only charge 15 euros a night I think his charge of 50 euro is very wrong.

Any advice on how to approach this

It’s a pity the money was handed over as it probably turns it into a civil matter now.
Surely if he refused to pay and the dog wasn’t returned you could have then rang guards and said you dog was stolen.
What’s stopping this so called charity going around picking up dogs. Are they a registered charity?
Sounds like a scam to be honest.

Mod
That would be making a false report thus wasting AGS time.
Please stay off this thread

Discodog

Some rescues work closely with the dog pounds & some are even registered as pounds.

The law is very clear. If one finds a stray dog with no identification tag, all the finder has to do is notify the Guards or the dog warden.

They can then keep the dog unless someone can prove ownership.

You would be paying a lot more if the dog had, for example, caused a road traffic accident.

fred funk }{

This is nuts. This was your dads dog (property) and they had no right to demand a payment for return of the dog. So if I see an escaped dog running down the road, I can bring it home and demand a fee before giving it back? Don't think so.

fred funk }{

fred funk }{ wrote: »

This is nuts. This was your dads dog (property) and they had no right to demand a payment for return of the dog. So if I see an escaped dog running down the road, I can bring it home and demand a fee before giving it back? Don't think so.

Or, you could just leave it to die, bite someone or cause an accident. This is an avoidable cost.

Many Charities rely on fundraising to survive, I see no issue with charging for the collection/safe keeping of a pet if the owner can’t be arsed to look after it.

Stevieluvsye

adam88 wrote: »

Mods- not sure if this is the right forum. Feel free to move.

Basically, my father has a dog, the dog keeps getting out and we accept full responsibility for this. Yesterday the dog went missing and a local rang a local dog charity to pick up the dog, this morning they posted it on Facebook and we knew it was our dog. My father went over to collect the dog and the dog would not be released until a fee of 50 euros was handed over. The person who runs this charity said the dog did not have a chip despite we having proof it was chipped.

This charity is in no way connect to the county council and as far as they are concerned have no right to collect dogs and charge for the service. I rang this man and asked him to give the money back to my father and the abuse I received was uncalled for. When asked what would happen if he didn’t pay the money he said he’d have kept the dog. Surely this isn’t right, the guards say it’s a civil matter.

I’d be more than willing to pay a donation but when the local pound only charge 15 euros a night I think his charge of 50 euro is very wrong.

Any advice on how to approach this

OP

You aren't seeing the bigger picture here. If the dog was to bite and injure or even worse a child or adult €50 would be the least of your worries. My advise is get the garden securely fenced

ohnonotgmail

Dav010 wrote: »

Or, you could just leave it to die, bite someone or cause an accident. This is an avoidable cost.

Many Charities rely on fundraising to survive, I see no issue with charging for the collection/safe keeping of a pet if the owner can’t be arsed to look after it.

On what basis? the dog did not belong to them. The dogs owner can prove they own the dog via its chip.

Pizzle

If this was a charitable organisation, wouldn't the most appropriate thing be to ask for a donation from the owner when re-united with their dog, not charge an actual fee?

spurious

Pizzle wrote: »

If this was a charitable organisation, wouldn't the most appropriate thing be to ask for a donation from the owner when re-united with their dog, not charge an actual fee?

I suppose not everyone gets the hint if you say 'donation'.

Pizzle

spurious wrote: »

I suppose not everyone gets the hint if you say 'donation'.

Absolutely, I'm sure some people wouldn't bother paying. But if you don't release the dog unless a fee is paid, it surely becomes more business than charity.

Dammer

Is that not extortion?

Sounds very like...
"Give me money and you will get your property back"

Pizzle

Dammer wrote: »

Is that not extortion?

Sounds very like...
"Give me money and you will get your property back"

Sounds like that to me too. What would happen if they charged €500 to release?

ganmo

OP you're lucky you got the dog back.
I'm not in favour of charities like this doing the wardens work for them.

I suggest you read up on your responsibilities as a dog owner. Including the bit where you can be fined up to 2 grand for not having them under control not to talk about what could happen to your poor pooch.

elperello

No matter how good their intentions a charity has no right to deprive you of your property ie. the dog and demand a fee for return of same.

Stevieluvsye

elperello wrote: »

No matter how good their intentions a charity has no right to deprive you of your property ie. the dog and demand a fee for return of same.

Maybe so, but the charity was not obliged to take the dog in.

There could have been a very much more serious thread about this situation.

Move on everyone and thank your lucky stars OP

Rodin

Dog keeps getting out?

In what way do you "accept full responsibility" ?

Pizzle

I really think that is missing the point though. In this case it certainly sounds like the dog needs to be secured properly an adequate fencing needs to be installed. But surely they cannot voluntarily take in your dog and then hold it until a fee is paid.

Edit - my post was reply to post 16. Owner definitely needs to address securing the dog.

Seve OB

Stevieluvsye wrote: »

OP

You aren't seeing the bigger picture here. If the dog was to bite and injure or even worse a child or adult €50 would be the least of your worries. My advise is get the garden securely fenced

Probably wouldn’t matter because according to the charity the chipped dog wasn’t chipped so nobody would know who the owner is!

Not normally one to defend animal owners, but have to say this sounds like a proper scam.

elperello

Stevieluvsye wrote: »

Maybe so, but the charity was not obliged to take the dog in.

There could have been a very much more serious thread about this situation.

Move on everyone and thank your lucky stars OP

Correct, the charity was not obliged but did. They could have directed the finder to the statutory authority but chose not to.

It is true that the incident could have ended more seriously.

The OP is looking for information and clarification.

ohnonotgmail

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

On what basis? the dog did not belong to them. The dogs owner can prove they own the dog via its chip.

Can the Charity place a value on the cost of overnight boarding and caring for the animal until claimed? If this charge was placed on the member of the public who was considerate enough to hand it in, who would? Surely the owner who is at fault should be liable for this cost. I don’t own a dog, but I suspect dog wardens charge a re-claim fee as well and isn’t there a fine for stray dogs?

If you abandon a car and it gets towed, I’m sure there is a charge to release it.

Discodog

fred funk }{ wrote: »

This is nuts. This was your dads dog (property) and they had no right to demand a payment for return of the dog. So if I see an escaped dog running down the road, I can bring it home and demand a fee before giving it back? Don't think so.

You can take the dog provided you notify the Dog Warden or the Guards. I ended up with both of my previous dogs this way in that I found strays with no ID tags or microchips. One was a Greyhound in dreadful condition. I knew that the owners wouldn't go to the guards to report her loss.

The OP says the dog is chipped but that the rescue couldn't find it - no offence but I know who I believe. Owners who allow their dogs to stray or repeatly escape avoid microchips incase the dog causes an accident.

If you allow your dog to stray it may well be taken by the Dog Warden. You will have to pay & produce a valid dog license, to get it back.

Discodog

Seve OB wrote: »

Probably wouldn’t matter because according to the charity the chipped dog wasn’t chipped so nobody would know who the owner is!

Not normally one to defend animal owners, but have to say this sounds like a proper scam.

Some scam. Give your time for free rescuing & rehoming dogs for ungrateful owners.

If my dog ended up in the same situation I would be so grateful to the rescue. I would happily give them a lot more than €50. Obviously some people don't value their dogs.

adam88

Okay. I’ve read through all the comments.

Firstly chip , one person there told us they scanned it and couldn’t find the chip and second person I spoke to said the batteries were dead in the scanner, we went to the vets that chipped the dog and got the numbers and once presented with this info they didn’t press the matter any further,

I 100 percent agree the dog should be fully fenced and and I’ve spoken to the relative that owns the dog about this.

When asked what would happen had the 50 euro not been paid I was told the dog would not be released. I’d have personally thanked the individual and have gladly paid a donation for the services offered but not a charge....... the local pound was rang and they charge 15 euros a nite up to 7 nights then dog is attempted to be rehomed or ............

As per pound, only they or their agents have the power to charge such a fee. This charity is not an agent and as far as I’m aware does not have any authority to charge a fee.

adam88

Discodog wrote: »

You can take the dog provided you notify the Dog Warden or the Guards. I ended up with both of my previous dogs this way in that I found strays with no ID tags or microchips. One was a Greyhound in dreadful condition. I knew that the owners wouldn't go to the guards to report her loss.

The OP says the dog is chipped but that the rescue couldn't find it - no offence but I know who I believe. Owners who allow their dogs to stray or repeatly escape avoid microchips incase the dog causes an accident.

If you allow your dog to stray it may well be taken by the Dog Warden. You will have to pay & produce a valid dog license, to get it back.

Dog is chipped, dog has licence

Discodog

adam88 wrote: »

Okay. I’ve read through all the comments.

Firstly chip , one person there told us they scanned it and couldn’t find the chip and second person I spoke to said the batteries were dead in the scanner, we went to the vets that chipped the dog and got the numbers and once presented with this info they didn’t press the matter any further,

I 100 percent agree the dog should be fully fenced and and I’ve spoken to the relative that owns the dog about this.

When asked what would happen had the 50 euro not been paid I was told the dog would not be released. I’d have personally thanked the individual and have gladly paid a donation for the services offered but not a charge....... the local pound was rang and they charge 15 euros a nite up to 7 nights then dog is attempted to be rehomed or ............

As per pound, only they or their agents have the power to charge such a fee. This charity is not an agent and as far as I’m aware does not have any authority to charge a fee.

If the dog is chipped you can easily confirm this online. You also have a microchip certificate. Do you think that they should hand the dog over to anyone without proof ?

adam88

adam88 wrote: »

Okay. I’ve read through all the comments.

Firstly chip , one person there told us they scanned it and couldn’t find the chip and second person I spoke to said the batteries were dead in the scanner, we went to the vets that chipped the dog and got the numbers and once presented with this info they didn’t press the matter any further,

I 100 percent agree the dog should be fully fenced and and I’ve spoken to the relative that owns the dog about this.

When asked what would happen had the 50 euro not been paid I was told the dog would not be released. I’d have personally thanked the individual and have gladly paid a donation for the services offered but not a charge....... the local pound was rang and they charge 15 euros a nite up to 7 nights then dog is attempted to be rehomed or ............

As per pound, only they or their agents have the power to charge such a fee. This charity is not an agent and as far as I’m aware does not have any authority to charge a fee.

What authority does a private business need to charge for their services and facilities?

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

adam88 wrote: »

Mods- not sure if this is the right forum. Feel free to move.

Basically, my father has a dog, the dog keeps getting out and we accept full responsibility for this. Yesterday the dog went missing and a local rang a local dog charity to pick up the dog, this morning they posted it on Facebook and we knew it was our dog. My father went over to collect the dog and the dog would not be released until a fee of 50 euros was handed over. The person who runs this charity said the dog did not have a chip despite we having proof it was chipped.

This charity is in no way connect to the county council and as far as they are concerned have no right to collect dogs and charge for the service. I rang this man and asked him to give the money back to my father and the abuse I received was uncalled for. When asked what would happen if he didn’t pay the money he said he’d have kept the dog. Surely this isn’t right, the guards say it’s a civil matter.

I’d be more than willing to pay a donation but when the local pound only charge 15 euros a night I think his charge of 50 euro is very wrong.

Any advice on how to approach this

Your dad should secure the garden better if the dog repeatedly gets out. Careless dog owners are a disgrace. The 50 euro is a lesson for him.

Discodog

adam88 wrote: »

Okay. I’ve read through all the comments.

Firstly chip , one person there told us they scanned it and couldn’t find the chip and second person I spoke to said the batteries were dead in the scanner, we went to the vets that chipped the dog and got the numbers and once presented with this info they didn’t press the matter any further,

I 100 percent agree the dog should be fully fenced and and I’ve spoken to the relative that owns the dog about this.

When asked what would happen had the 50 euro not been paid I was told the dog would not be released. I’d have personally thanked the individual and have gladly paid a donation for the services offered but not a charge....... the local pound was rang and they charge 15 euros a nite up to 7 nights then dog is attempted to be rehomed or ............

As per pound, only they or their agents have the power to charge such a fee. This charity is not an agent and as far as I’m aware does not have any authority to charge a fee.

How pedantic :rolleyes:
They rescued your dog & looked after it.

Maybe next time the warden will seize it & fine you.

monkeysnapper

I wonder if the dog was fed and given water while it was rescued... and a member of staff ( public) had to see to the dog .

My opinion is 50 quid is a bit of a knock alright , if you park on yellow lines it's about 40 quid ... I know I'd rather pay the 50 to get my dog that was rescued... like a few have said without this service the dog would have been left to wonder and a good chance of being killed .

Discodog

monkeysnapper wrote: »

I wonder if the dog was fed and given water while it was rescued... and a member of staff ( public) had to see to the dog .

My opinion is 50 quid is a bit of a knock alright , if you park on yellow lines it's about 40 quid ... I know I'd rather pay the 50 to get my dog that was rescued... like a few have said without this service the dog would have been left to wonder and a good chance of being killed .

The OP implies that it was there overnight. So probably more than one feed, exercise, cage cleaned out etc.

If someone can't willingly pay €50, to a charity who rescues their dog, they shouldn't have a dog.

tayto lover

€60 to get my dog back from 5he council pound after he got out through a small hole in the fence a few weeks ago. He was in overnight as they only open 9am to 12.30pm.
Steep enough but glad to get him back safely.

begbysback

I don’t get why people are up in arms about the dog getting out here, op stated they accepted full responsibility, the question is do these guys have a legal right to demand payment for a chipped dog.

begbysback

Discodog wrote: »

The OP implies that it was there overnight. So probably more than one feed, exercise, cage cleaned out etc.

If someone can't willingly pay €50, to a charity who rescues their dog, they shouldn't have a dog.

Was it “rescued”?

killbillvol2

begbysback wrote: »

I don’t get why people are up in arms about the dog getting out here, op stated they accepted full responsibility, the question is do these guys have a legal right to demand payment for a chipped dog.

They don't actually accept any responsibility. It happens regularly.

begbysback

begbysback wrote: »

Was it “rescued”?

Was it where it should be under control of the owner? Does it know the safe cross code? Can it request help?

Rescue: save from a dangerous or difficult situation.

seamus

begbysback wrote: »

I don’t get why people are up in arms about the dog getting out here, op stated they accepted full responsibility, the question is do these guys have a legal right to demand payment for a chipped dog.

The answer is probably. They would have at the very least a right to seek reasonable compensation for their expenses in picking up the dog and taking care of it.

The dog could be held as a lien until the debt was released.

Any judge would consider €50 a reasonable fee for the charity's time and give the owner a ticking off for not keeping his dog under control.

fed_u

OP have you checked to ensure that they are registered as a charity? Speak with the local pound about them too maybe..
the fee is rather steep and how they dealt with you (claiming no chip & if you didn't pay the dog wouldn't be returned) clearly rubbed you the wrong way so paying the fee was an extra sucker punch..

amadangomor

seamus wrote: »

The answer is probably. They would have at the very least a right to seek reasonable compensation for their expenses in picking up the dog and taking care of it.

The dog could be held as a lien until the debt was released.

Any judge would consider €50 a reasonable fee for the charity's time and give the owner a ticking off for not keeping his dog under control.

The fact that the charity didn't suggest a payment but held the dog as a hostage until payment was paid is the issue.

The charity were obviously making a point but they should be above such ruthless behaviour and should have made their point by persuasion, not like this.

amadangomor

amadangomor wrote: »

The fact that the charity didn't suggest a payment but held the dog as a hostage until payment was paid is the issue.

The charity were obviously making a point but they should be above such ruthless behaviour and should have made their point by persuasion, not like this.

Charity, or private business, they are entitled to a fee for their service. The op can take it up with the person who was kind enough to hand the dog in.

fed_u

fed_u wrote: »

OP have you checked to ensure that they are registered as a charity? Speak with the local pound about them too maybe..
the fee is rather steep and how they dealt with you (claiming no chip & if you didn't pay the dog wouldn't be returned) clearly rubbed you the wrong way so paying the fee was an extra sucker punch..

Are charities precluded from charging for services? I don’t know, surely they are allowed to offset costs. I know some charitable clothes shops sell clothes.

Purple Mountain

Ring him back and tell them you want a receipt and casually ask if they are registered for VAT.

Purple Mountain

Purple Mountain wrote: »

Ring him back and tell them you want a receipt and casually ask if they are registered for VAT.

And be a contestant for a notable award.

bertsmom

Op your attitude is just horrible. Would you ever cop on and show some gratitude that your relatives dog was taken care of.
Saying you've spoken to them about the dog repeatedly getting out means sweet fcuk all.
Frankly it sounds like the dog would be far better off being rehomed with someone to look after them properly. They deserve better.
Do you think the people who assisted your dog bringing to get scanned, feeding, providing comfort etc should rely on the already failing careless owners making a donation of their own discretion? I wouldn't hold out much hope if you begrudge fifty euro to a rescue.

chandlerbing2

bertsmom wrote: »

Op your attitude is just horrible. Would you ever cop on and show some gratitude that your relatives dog was taken care of.
Saying you've spoken to them about the dog repeatedly getting out means sweet fcuk all.
Frankly it sounds like the dog would be far better off being rehomed with someone to look after them properly. They deserve better.
Do you think the people who assisted your dog bringing to get scanned, feeding, providing comfort etc should rely on the already failing careless owners making a donation of their own discretion? I wouldn't hold out much hope if you begrudge fifty euro to a rescue.

Would it be okay with you if they asked for 500 euro to get your dog back??

No they shouldn’t have demanded 50 euro from you charity or not. What if it was someone who couldn’t afford it at the time? The charities should have a device that can read the chip

If it was my dog and someone found it I would automatically give them 50 euro for finding her regardless.

The way the charity should have gone about this is hinting that they are a charity and they accept donations etc. Demanding 50 euro before you get your dog back is not right. If they tried that with me I would have ringing the cops on them. If they hinted they accept donations I would gladly give them 50 euro or more.

And yea border your property better to keep your doing in!!

elperello

This is an extract from the Control of Dogs Act 1986

13.—(1) Any person, other than a dog warden or a member of the Garda Síochána, who finds and takes possession of a stray dog shall, forthwith—

(a) return the dog to its owner, or

(b) deliver the dog to a dog warden, or

(c) detain the dog and give notice in writing containing a description of the dog, the address of the place where it was found, and the address of the place where it is detained to the member in charge at the nearest Garda Station to the place where the dog was found, or to a dog warden.

The full Act may be viewed here - http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1986/act/32/enacted/en/html

elperello

elperello wrote: »

This is an extract from the Control of Dogs Act 1986

13.—(1) Any person, other than a dog warden or a member of the Garda Síochána, who finds and takes possession of a stray dog shall, forthwith—

(a) return the dog to its owner, or

(b) deliver the dog to a dog warden, or

(c) detain the dog and give notice in writing containing a description of the dog, the address of the place where it was found, and the address of the place where it is detained to the member in charge at the nearest Garda Station to the place where the dog was found, or to a dog warden.

The full Act may be viewed here - http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1986/act/32/enacted/en/html

Does it say a private entity whose business is boarding and caring for it can’t charge for their service? Maybe it does.

GreeBo

Dav010 wrote: »

Charity, or private business, they are entitled to a fee for their service. The op can take it up with the person who was kind enough to hand the dog in.

Entitled to charge for a service, they are not entitled to perform a service that wasnt agreed to by the owner!

Can I cut your grass and then force you to pay me, even though you didnt ask me to do it, but I "rescued" your garden from dangerously long fescue?

elperello

Dav010 wrote: »

Does it say a private entity whose business is boarding and caring for it can’t charge for their service? Maybe it does.

Maybe a quick read of the Act will answer your question.
According to the OP there was no contract entered into by the OP's father.

chandlerbing2

It’s like someone handing in your phone into the cops and them demanding 50 euro for you to have phone back.

Charity should be constantly hinting they take donations when the owner was picking up the dog or ask would like to make a donation for us looking after the dog. Not demanding 50 quid to have your dog back.

frillyleaf

adam88 wrote: »

Mods- not sure if this is the right forum. Feel free to move.

Basically, my father has a dog, the dog keeps getting out and we accept full responsibility for this. Yesterday the dog went missing and a local rang a local dog charity to pick up the dog, this morning they posted it on Facebook and we knew it was our dog. My father went over to collect the dog and the dog would not be released until a fee of 50 euros was handed over. The person who runs this charity said the dog did not have a chip despite we having proof it was chipped.

This charity is in no way connect to the county council and as far as they are concerned have no right to collect dogs and charge for the service. I rang this man and asked him to give the money back to my father and the abuse I received was uncalled for. When asked what would happen if he didn’t pay the money he said he’d have kept the dog. Surely this isn’t right, the guards say it’s a civil matter.

I’d be more than willing to pay a donation but when the local pound only charge 15 euros a night I think his charge of 50 euro is very wrong.

Any advice on how to approach this

Hi OP, your fathers keeps getting out therefore is not under control. I can assume there was no clear identification on the dog which is a requirement for any dog in a public place.

The fact the dog was out - the night before Halloween - is quite careless. I would be understanding if it wasn’t a case that it keeps getting out and the garden needs to be secured.

People need to realise that stray dogs with no identification can cause a lot of problems. Road accidents, injured dog biting someone not to mention the hassle of the kind owner taking it in and keeping it for the night. The dog may need to be rechipped if it’s not being picked up on a scanner.

The charity needs to keep it separate from other dogs, provide a kennel, provide food, not to mention cleaning area thoroughly when the dog is gone. Not to mention the person’s time who found it who was kind enough to bring it there....

I do feel €50 is excessive though. They should have asked for money for a chip at the very least