[addevo]

This isn't a yorkie specific question, but I know there are alot of experts who follow this forum, and I'm hoping you can help.

I volunteer with a rescue in another state. Last Spring, a young couple applied for one of their dogs, a Chihuahua named Snowflake. Their vet references checked out, a home visit was done, and so the dog was delivered to their area via a volunteer transport. The woman signed the adoption agreement, the man paid the adoption fee via PayPal.

A few months go by, and the couple breaks up. The woman moves out. The man says that he wants to keep the dog, so she left Snowflake with him. She did not inform the rescue of this. More time passes, the man starts stalking her. So she filed a complaint with the police, they paid him a visit, and the stalking ended. But then, out of the blue, the rescue gets an email from the man, saying he doesn't want the dog. The rescue immediately responded, saying we will be happy to arrange someone to pick Snowflake up. Then another email comes, saying he's just going to dump Snowflake at a shelter. Again, the rescue replied that they'll send someone local to pick her up. Then the man stopped answering emails and wouldn't answer his phone. Then, rescue emailed him again offering to refund his adoption fee, if he would surrender the dog, but again, he's ignoring them.

We happen to live within a few miles of the adopters. So my husband called the man, thinking maybe he'd answer if he saw a local number he didn't recognize. It worked. He answered, said he was at work at the moment but said he'd call back after work to arrange a time for pickup. And of course he didn't call back. Now he's not answering calls from that number any more.

It's obvious the man is trying to manipulate his ex by using the dog. I'm sure he knows the rescue will contact the woman (which of course they have) and maybe he thinks that is a way to see her again. She seems somewhat cooperative, but is afraid to meet with him alone. My husband is happy to accompany her. We've also considered contacting local law enforcement, but I'm not sure whether they would be of any help, since she "gave" him the dog or he might be considered a co-owner of the dog.

The rescue has notified local shelters, sent them photos of Snowflake, so if he surrenders her to a shelter, the rescue will be notified. I've also been watching Craigslist to see if he posts her there. So far, nothing.

So my question is this. Have any of you affiliated with rescues ever run into a problem like this before? Any advice on what might work to persuade him to surrender the dog?