Family Refuses to Return Dog to Original Owner: Heartless or Justified?

Imagine adopting a dog from a shelter, nursing her back to health, and falling in love with her only to have the original owner demand her back after a year. That’s the predicament one family found themselves in when they posted an update on their beagle’s progress on the rescue’s Facebook page. The original owner claimed the dog had run away and that they were unable to search for her due to hospital visits. Now, the internet is divided: should the family return the dog or keep her?

Meet Gemma, the Beagle

From Obese to Healthy

Heartworm Treatment

Kids Love Gemma ❤️

Gemma’s Past ️

The Original Owner’s Plea

The Internet Divided

Legal Ownership

The Original Owner’s Excuse

The Heartworms and Training

Gemma’s History with the Original Owner

The Previous Owner’s Situation

No Reimbursement

The Family’s Love for Gemma

A Heart-Wrenching Decision: Who Deserves Gemma?

This family turned Gemma the beagle’s life around after adopting her from a shelter. They helped her lose weight, trained her, and treated her heartworms. But when they shared her progress online, the original owner came forward, pleading for her return. The internet is torn, with some saying the family should keep her, while others argue the dog should be returned. The family loves Gemma and doesn’t want to give her up, but the original owner’s situation tugs at the heartstrings. What do you think? Let’s dive into some top responses from the internet…

NTA. Previous owner neglected Gemma’s health and training. Gemma is yours.

NTA. Previous owner neglected dog, legally adopted out, belongs to OP.

Grateful dog owner accused of neglect is NTA, commenters agree

Rescued dog’s previous owner neglected him, new owner refuses return.

Dog owners neglect their pet and lose ownership. NTA.

Previous owner can cram it: NTA keeps shelter dog.

Legal ownership and emotional attachment justify keeping the dog.

Keeping the dog was the best decision for its health

Responsible actions taken to protect neglected dog.

Keeping the dog is justified, returning it would be cruel

Rescued dog’s new owners accused of being heartless by previous owner.

Disabled owner defends keeping dog from neglectful previous owner.

Show us the pooch!

Overweight dog returned after 3 months. NTA wins.

NTA defends family keeping dog from possible lying previous owner

Former owner neglects dog, current owner takes good care. NTA.

Shelter didn’t make the dog fat, NTA for keeping it.

Happy ending: commenter supports keeping the dog with new owner.

Rescued dog’s health improved, NTA for keeping it.

Dog rightfully rehomed? Commenters say NTA.

Dog owner justified in keeping their pet, but beware theft attempts.

Dog custody battle: NTA wins, stability is key

Animal abuse is never justified.

NTA. Heartwarming story of adopting a misidentified shelter dog

Previous owner neglected dog, current owner NTA for keeping Gemma

Owner rightfully keeps dog after abuse and neglect by previous family

Pet tax needed for NTA who won’t give back dog

Clever response shuts down heartless dog thief.

Dog owner neglects pet, rescuer keeps and loves it. NTA.

15 months later, NTA – Keep your dog back home

Preventative care is crucial for pets. NTA’s advice is sound

Heartwarming reunion with Gemmah ❤️

Rehabilitating and loving an abused animal makes you NTA

Dog owner neglects pup, loses it, and wants it back. NTA.

Should the family return the dog to the original owner?

Previous owner unfit to care for dog. NTA for keeping it

PSAs for pet owners: update microchips and don’t post on social media. NTA.

Previous owner loses claim to dog, NTA for keeping her.

Rescued pup finds a loving home, owner won’t let go

NTA. Heartworm prevention is cheap and essential for dog owners

Standing up for the dog’s well-being. ❤️

Previous owner unable to provide proper care, NTA to keep.

Rescued dog, not chipped or trained, NTA keeps her.

Legally your dog, block them and protect your pet

Commenter is not the a**hole in dog ownership dispute

Pet ownership requires responsibility and proper care. NTA for keeping dog.

Previous neglect, current care. NTA for wanting reimbursement.

Previous owner’s irresponsibility justifies keeping the dog.

Commenter defends family’s decision to keep dog, calls original owner TA.

Healthy dog, happy home: NTA keeps what’s rightfully theirs.

Beagle lover defends family’s decision to keep neglected dog.

Dog rightfully belongs to commenter. No a**holes here.

Owning a dog is a responsibility, not a commodity

Previous owner wants dog for wrong reasons? NTA thinks so

Keeping Gemma: Justified or Heartless? NTA stands firm.

Family keeps dog after neglectful owner loses custody. NTA.

Prior owner neglects dog, current owner NTA for keeping it

Rescued beagle finds loving home with caring owner.

Demand reimbursement for dog expenses, she’ll change her mind!

Rescued dog’s original owner neglected her, keep her safe. NTA

Keep the dog for its own well-being and happiness.

NTA commenter calls out lazy pet owner for not searching harder