Oh wow. I'm so sorry, but I have no advice. Hopefully, someone else will.
How do the people who claim to be the original owners know this is their dog?
I think I would contact the local animal shelter or rescue and see if they know of a lawyer your friends could consult with.
Do you think the dog might have been mistreated or just got away from the original owners? If you don't suspect abuse, I think I would tend to side with the people claiming to be the original owners. That's a lot to go through. Will they settle for getting the dog back?
__________________ The fullness of our heart is expressed in our eyes, in our touch, in what we write, in what we say, in the way we walk, the way we receive, the way we need. -Mother Teresa ( RIP Gizmo 3/9/07-8/18/12)  |