AITA for refusing to let my neighbor take back the dog they abandoned?

A Redditor shares how they took in a neglected Golden Retriever after their neighbors moved away, leaving the dog behind for six months. After bonding with the dog and giving him a new home, the neighbors have unexpectedly returned, demanding the dog back.

Despite accusations from the neighbors that the Redditor “stole” their dog, they’re standing firm in their decision to keep him. Read the full story below.

 

‘ AITA for refusing to let my neighbor take back the dog they abandoned?’

I (28F) live in a pretty quiet neighborhood and have always loved animals. About six months ago, my next-door neighbors, “Mark” and “Julie,” moved out of their house and completely abandoned their dog, “Buddy” (a 4-year-old Golden Retriever).

They didn’t say a word about it—just left him tied up in the backyard with a bag of food and water. When I realized what had happened, I was furious. Who leaves a dog behind like that? I immediately took Buddy in and made sure he was safe and fed.

Over the next few days, I tried contacting Mark and Julie to find out what was going on. They ignored all my calls and texts, so I figured they didn’t care and had intentionally left Buddy behind. I ended up deciding to keep him.

Buddy is the sweetest dog I’ve ever met, and he quickly became a huge part of my life. I took him to the vet, got him vaccinated, and made sure he was healthy. It’s been six months, and he’s like family to me now. He’s happy, healthy, and honestly living his best life.

Then, last week, Mark randomly showed up at my door, saying they “wanted Buddy back.” Apparently, they had some personal issues and had to leave town quickly, but now that things had settled, they were ready to bring him home. I was shocked.

I told Mark there was no way I was giving Buddy back after they abandoned him for six months without any contact. Mark got really defensive, saying that Buddy was their dog, and I had “stolen” him.

He accused me of taking advantage of their situation and guilt-tripped me by saying that he and Julie had just been going through a tough time and needed a fresh start. He claimed that Buddy was “better off with them” since he’s their dog, and they had raised him for years.

I told him straight up that Buddy was staying with me. If they cared so much about him, they wouldn’t have left him behind like he was nothing. I reminded him that I had spent time and money taking care of Buddy when they couldn’t be bothered to even let me know what was going on.

I told him that Buddy has a new home now and that I wasn’t about to uproot him just because they suddenly decided they wanted to play the responsible pet owners again. Now, Mark and Julie are furious.

They’ve been going around the neighborhood, telling people I “stole” their dog and that I’m a terrible person for not giving him back. FYI they’re living at a hotel and will leave sometime this week. I feel like I’m doing the right thing by keeping Buddy, but AITAH?

Take a look at the comments from fellow users:

KrofftSurvivor −  NTA –  Tell anyone who comes to you with this nonsense that the dog would have died, chained up in the backyard if you hadn’t rescued it and that you are now planning to report them to animal welfare, as they’ve acknowledged that they left the dog there unattended, having given no notice to anyone – intentionally.

You don’t have to actually report them, but everyone else needs to know that they literally left the dog to die, and that there are consequences for that.

FauveSxMcW −  NTA Buddy would have been dead or rehomed at a shelter but for you. He’s not been their dog for quite some time. Did you get him microchipped?

Back-to-HAT −  Sorry but one bag of food and a bowl of water wouldn’t have lasted six month. I agree, they abandoned him and obviously you saved him. I don’t care what excuse they had for leaving him behind. You could have called animal control.

They would have picked him up and god willing, he would have found a new family. I’d contact animal control or the police to ask what the statute is for your area. I’m sure there is something that covers the situation.

Then tell the assholes that you are going to press charges for harassment and slander, unless he has been texting the claim of theft which is libel. I might go as far as a short write up of the law & how you saved him for the neighbors.

He is in the very least committing slander, which has to include the act has caused you harm, here being your reputation with neighbors.
I want to kick this guy where it would really hurt. He doesn’t deserve a dog!

ExistenceRaisin −  NTA. They abandoned Buddy, for six whole months, and they ignored your attempts to communicate with them. They left him tied up, and didn’t come back, for six months. You didn’t steal Buddy, you literally saved his life

_s1m0n_s3z −  NTA. They abandoned that dog to die. However, they likely *could* assert ownership. The law might well still consider Buddy their property.

Unless they can afford to sue (unlikely) it’ll probably come down to whatever the cop who comes to your door decides. If he likes your story better, Buddy’s your dog. If they call the cops.

LauraMartin288 −  NTA. After six months, they show up out of nowhere wanting him back? Nah, that’s not how it works. They had their chance to be decent pet owners, and they blew it. You’ve given Buddy a loving home, and he’s clearly happy with you. It’s on them for not keeping in touch or taking care of him.

lordmwahaha −  NTA and if you hadn’t “stolen” Buddy, he would be dead. His previous owners would have ended his life without your intervention. He is absolutely *not* “better off with them”. He would literally be dead if it was up to them.. People like them make me sick.

adonishappy −  NTA, but… you should have contacted the police right away and tell them why you were going to take the dog home. They would have agreed with you and would have made an animal cruelty charge on them, that way you would have saved yourself a lot of drama.

sjyffl −  What would have happened to Buddy if you hadn’t taken him in? He would have been abandoned and starved, or animal control would have taken him. You saved his life and paid for vet care. He’s yours now. Just show them the proof of care and timeline. You’ve got receipts.

Even_Video7549 −  do you still have all of the texts of you trying to get in touch with them? if so get them posting on line for the world to see they’re not capable of looking after and caring for a dog. NTA

Do you think the Redditor is right to keep Buddy, given the circumstances, or should they give him back to his original owners? How would you handle a similar situation with an abandoned pet? Share your thoughts below!