[Judy in Waco]

Originally Posted by rhiannon80

I've stolen a dog, but left a note for the owners to contact me. They never contacted me. I rehomed the dog with my great grandma. The dog I stole was always left without food and water...I'd sneak over their fence as often as possible to refill its bowls. (they were my neighbors, so I just looked over our fence to see what was going on) Plus the children were always kicking it and throwing it. It was very sad. When I took it to my great grandma, the vet said that it was very thin and full of fleas, plus had suffered a broken leg that had never been repaired! So once my grandma got her "fattened" up the vet repaired the leg (as best he could, she only had about 70% use of the leg after surgry, and it was at about 50% prior to the surgry) My grandma had "lucky" for 15 years! She just passed away 6 months ago, but lead a very healthy and happy life from her "Dogknapping" on! Also I was only 11 when I stole the dog! I got into major trouble for stealing the dog, but once they never called or came over to get their dog I wasn't in trouble anymore!

I'm glad that story had a happy ending, but I wonder if they would have let you have the dog if you had asked first? I've only run across a couple of abused dogs, and was blessed that the owners were willing to let them go with me. I suppose for some people it might be a pride thing to keep the dog (how sad) and by asking about the dog first, you become a prime suspect when the dog goes missing. Hummmm...like I said before, this is a tough one. I guess everyone has to follow his or her own conscience.