[McheleM]

Can someone contact me about the ins and outs of rescues and the laws regarding ownership of dogs?

My moms friends husband was in a car accident and rolled his car 4 times Sunday morning. His neck is broke in 2 places. She offered me her 1 1/2 yr old yorkie because she is unable to take care of her and will be unable to even more now. My mom and I drove out to get her Sunday evening, but she was nowhere to be found. Fast forward to yesterday afternoon and my mom tells me she found out the little girl is in a no kill shelter in a town close to where the lady lives.

I called to find out what I needed to do to get her and whoever answered the phone told me the "dog was released to me by an individual, and she is now my property.". I explained that the person who brought her in didn't have the right to release her, and that we would like to get her back. She then told me "shes my property now and if you'd like her, you can fill out an application and if you're approved, pay the adoption fee and come get her. She'll be spayed next week, so she won't be ready until then. She's already in our system, and there's nothing you or the original owner can do".

Is this normal protocol?

So, I can go get anyone's dog, release it to a shelter or pound and the owner isn't allowed to get the dog back? It becomes shelter property?