Demanding Payment for a Dog’s Return: Is This Holding a Pet Hostage?

A woman adopted a 7-year-old beagle named Lucius from an elderly woman who could no longer care for him due to financial and personal issues. After several months of caring for Lucius, the dog’s previous owner began contacting her, expressing displeasure with the changes made in the dog’s routine, including his new name, food, and vet. When the woman blocked her, the elderly lady drove to her home, demanding the dog back. In response, the woman asked for payment covering three months of pet boarding costs, knowing the previous owner couldn’t afford it.

The situation escalated when the elderly woman’s daughter began criticizing the woman on social media, accusing her of holding the dog “hostage” for money. The woman defended her actions, arguing that she legally owned the dog and had invested time and money into his care. The moral question remains whether the woman was wrong to demand payment, considering the previous owner’s emotional attachment to Lucius and the legal ownership the woman now held.

There are many ways to become a pet parent and one of the most common is adoption

That’s how this woman got her 7 year old beagle – she adopted him from the family that no longer could house it

So, here’s a wild situation that has many wondering if it’s right or wrong. You adopted a dog, a 7-year-old beagle named Lucius, from an elderly woman who couldn’t care for him anymore because her husband got sick. Everything went smooth, and you took the dog in, changed his name, changed his food, and took him to a new vet. Fast forward a few months, and the dog’s previous owner starts blowing up your phone, demanding details about how you care for the dog and even wanting him back. When you refused, she came to your house, and that’s when you dropped the bomb: you’d only return the dog if she paid for three months’ worth of pet boarding. This decision has caused a massive stir, especially with the elderly woman’s daughter, who’s now calling you out on social media.

So, the big question here: Are you the asshole for demanding money to return the dog, or are you just protecting your right as the dog’s new owner?

The Situation

You didn’t just adopt any dog. Lucius, a 7-year-old beagle, came to you from an elderly woman who had no choice but to rehome him because her husband’s health problems made it difficult to care for him. Everything seemed good at first: you gave Lucius a new name (Lucius instead of Thomas, to match your Harry Potter theme), and you took him to your preferred vet. You also changed his diet because you believed that would suit him better.

This is when the first red flag appears. The elderly woman’s daughter finds you on Instagram and starts questioning you about Lucius’ new life. At first, you share the changes, being transparent about his new name, food, and vet. But, as time passes, the old lady gets more and more upset. She starts calling you and insisting that you should be following her way of caring for him—same vet, same food, same routine.

When you block her after a series of calls, things escalate quickly. She shows up at your house demanding the dog back, claiming she made a terrible mistake rehoming him. You could have easily said no, but the persistence was too much. You decided to propose a deal—if she wanted Lucius back, she’d have to pay for three months’ worth of pet boarding fees. You know she can’t afford it, as money was a big part of why she had to give up the dog in the first place. Now, her daughter is blowing up your social media, calling you a bad person for holding the dog “hostage” over money.

Is Your Demand Unreasonable?

This situation might sound crazy, but when you really think about it, it’s understandable why you might have felt compelled to make that demand. Here’s why:

1. The Dog is Legally Yours:
   When you adopted Lucius, the transaction was made. You didn’t steal the dog or trick the elderly woman. Legally speaking, the dog is now yours, and you have every right to decide what happens with him. If the woman gave him up voluntarily, she gave up her claim to him.
2. You Are Providing for Lucius:
   Taking care of a pet isn’t free. You’ve spent money on food, vet bills, and even boarding costs for Lucius. You’ve made sure he’s happy and healthy. The old lady had to let go of him because she couldn’t afford him. So, the idea of giving him back for free seems unfair, considering the emotional and financial effort you’ve invested in Lucius’ well-being.
3. Her Persistent Interference:
   When someone gives up a pet, they have to respect the new owner’s decisions. It’s one thing to ask for updates, but it’s another to demand the same routine you had with the dog, especially when the circumstances have changed. You didn’t adopt Lucius under the agreement that you would follow her instructions to a T. The constant demands were overstepping boundaries and disrupting your peace, so it’s understandable you wanted to draw a line in the sand.
4. The Emotional Side:
   Adopting a pet is an emotional commitment, not just a financial one. Lucius is now part of your family. It’s not just about the money—it’s about the bond you’ve formed with him. The old lady had to give him up for her own reasons, but that doesn’t automatically mean she can come back and take him whenever she pleases, especially without consideration for the new emotional ties he’s developed.

The Backlash

Now, let’s talk about the backlash. The daughter is furious with you, calling you a “big AH” for holding Lucius hostage. This is a tough situation because, emotionally, the elderly lady and her daughter might feel like they are losing something precious. But they also have to acknowledge that they made the decision to rehome the dog, and there are consequences to that. It’s not like Lucius was snatched away from them—he was given up, and the circumstances were clear.

Legally vs Morally

Here’s where the line gets blurry: Legally, you have the right to keep Lucius. The dog is yours. But morally? That’s a bit more complicated.

On one hand, you could argue that it’s just business—she gave up the dog, and now she wants him back, but you’ve already invested money and time. Asking her to cover those expenses is a practical request. On the other hand, you could empathize with the emotional connection she had with Lucius. The bond between her and the dog might be strong, and that can cloud her judgment.

But, if we’re being honest, this isn’t really about morality at all—it’s about respecting boundaries. The old lady and her daughter overstepped by persistently demanding to control how you take care of Lucius, and then they showed up at your house to demand him back. You responded in a way that, while not the most generous, was a firm boundary. You didn’t take the dog from her; she gave him up. And now, she’s not respecting your decision as the new owner.

Netizens reassured her that she shouldn’t feel bad for her actions, as coming up with a scheme to get annoying folks out of her hair doesn’t make her a jerk

No, you are not the asshole. You legally own Lucius, and you’ve been taking care of him as your own. It’s understandable that you wanted to set boundaries after the constant interference. While demanding money for his return might sound harsh, it’s your right to ask for compensation, especially since the woman had no intention of paying you for his care in the first place. The emotional appeal from the elderly lady and her daughter doesn’t change the fact that you made a fair request based on the money and effort you’ve already spent.