This thread breaks my heart, but I'm glad you've found your way out of the situation. Hopefully you find a shelter dog to adopt soon that's just as wonderful!
Thanks. I believe I did the best thing for the safety and well being of my family. I will be adopting at some point. Not sure when, but it will be a pit pup.
Goodness, never deal with craiglist when adopting. That's what I am taking away from this, that and the woman is mentally unstable. The poor dog is losing in this situation.
I'd suggest to local animal control / shelters to keep an eye out for her to post the dog again. If that happens, then hopefully they'll move in for the adoption and she will lose.
Call the cops/animal control first. She just blackmailed you, don't threaten her back or anything. Just call them and explain the situation and have them go to her.
I'm so happy to hear you will be adopting a pit bull puppy I rescued a full grown pit from very neglectful and abusive neighbors after they abandoned her. She came to my dad carrying a puppy in her mouth, starving, unable to feed her pups. Dad gave her food & the puppy, and that evening she had brought all 6 of her puppies to the back door for help. It was heartbreaking and we kept her. She has been the best thing that's happened to me, had her about 4 years now. Extremely sweet, goofy, well-behaved and loving. Any dog can be like that of course, but pit bulls have such a horrible reputation, it kills me.
Oh this is sad, this thread breaks my heart too. I knew someone who became involved in a lot of drama because she took in a cat who was neglected, the cat's owners weren't taking care of him so she reluctantly gave the cat back. It's always so shockingly sad to me how horrible some people are with animals, like this lady who placed the ad. My heart goes out to you, gentle hugs and I am sure when the time is right you will find a loving furry companion.
Call the cops/animal control first. She just blackmailed you, don't threaten her back or anything. Just call them and explain the situation and have them go to her.
Threatening to pursue civil litigation does not constitute blackmail. Unless she demanded more money, or made specific threats to harm persons or property, there's been no crime.
Thanks, everyone. I feel I did the best thing for my family but not for the dog. Next time she "places him" it could be with someone who has a bad intent, and the dog will be injured or killed and she won't get him back. It's an awful game she is playing and his life hangs in the balance.
The letter we had her sign also stated that all communication was to stop and I haven't heard anything from her so I'm happy. I will not be looking at craigslist ever again for fear I will see him relisted and I will just lose it!
Pit bulls are one of my fave breeds. My very best friend is my pit bull, Liberty, who I rescued from a park where I found her half dead. She has been with me 8 years and is close to 12 years old and really slowing down and graying. I can no longer take her on my walks/jogs because she just can't keep up. I told her she isn't allowed to die until I go...hahahaha! She has to live forever!
They have a horrible reputation but can be awesome dogs. In fact, even as a dog trainer, I have never come across and aggressive pit bull, but I did come across a lab and a shih Tzu that wanted to kill me!
What did the ad say? I would probably watch craigslist to see if the dog gets put up again in an ad, and if so, I'd call a local humane society or animal shelter and explain and see if they'd want to deal with it (in fact, perhaps offer to donate the adoption fee if they haven't to acquire the pet and allow you to adopt). Then the lady would neverk now it was you who adopted the dog and would only have the shelter to deal with.
"Blackmail is an act, often a crime, involving unjustified threats to make a gain or cause loss to another unless a demand is met. It may be defined as coercion involving threats of physical harm, threat of criminal prosecution, or threats for the purposes of taking the person's money or property."
The dog is currently her properly and she is threatening her.
Obviously this is not a situation extreme enough to warrant an arrest or have charges filed but it is threat. I don't know what state she is in but blackmail charge varies wildly in each state and often can rely on case law rather than statutory laws.
Anyways, the previous owner sound like a nut case and the authorities (Animal Control or whoever) should be called even if she wants to give the dog back and be present at the exchange.
I rescued a full grown pit from very neglectful and abusive neighbors after they abandoned her. She came to my dad carrying a puppy in her mouth, starving, unable to feed her pups. Dad gave her food & the puppy, and that evening she had brought all 6 of her puppies to the back door for help. It was heartbreaking and we kept her. She has been the best thing that's happened to me, had her about 4 years now. Extremely sweet, goofy, well-behaved and loving. Any dog can be like that of course, but pit bulls have such a horrible reputation, it kills me.
Whatever dog you rescue will be lucky indeed.
