Certainly does seem like a scam of some kind -

in the first place, if the humane society DID have 'her' dog - why would they charge so much to return the dog?

the only thing I could think of is that the owner left the dog long enough at the HS that they had the dog 'fixed' and want to be re-imbursed for the cost of neutering and care. plus a fine for letting the animal run loose anyway....

Of course, if she had tags on the dog or had a microchip on him, that would not be a problem, would it?

our local county shelter, like most, is overrun and under funded -

But unless a dog was picked up on a nusance 'dog loose' call, they don't charge anything if someone brings in your dog and you come pick it up right away.

if I 'found' a dog, and took him in - they would scan him for a chip, call the owner, and if the owner came right away - they would not charge anything ( they would insist on proof of current shots - like rabies and registration) and they would make sure the dog was current on shots before releasing him to the owners. THAT might incur a fine and the cost of vaccinations.

I just don't 'get' these kind of people.

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I can relate to being 'poor'. I've been unemployed or under employed for a LONG time. paying for Cobra insurance for me and my son caused me to run up my credit cards, and when our beloved Tristan ( a golden/chessie rescue) got Lymphoma, I fought. I had NO money for cancer treatment, but I didn't let that stop me. I had a garage sale, I did fundraisers, I applied to pet charities for assistance, I stretched my credit further. some people though i was crazy to go so far for a dog.

People here know why - Tristan wasn't a 'dog' - he was my baby - I Loved him!

Tristan passed away in January.

We're 'dog people'. once before, we tried to be 'practical' and not have a dog - they are expensive - vets, food, shots, toys, grooming, etc. so what? we would rather have a dog than 165 satellite movie channels ( a dog is better entertainment anyway) and we'd rather take the dog camping on a weekend (cheap) than go to an expensive theme park for a vacation. The 'cost' of owning a pet is relative! So you make choices. "$200 to get your best friend back is a bargan! ( around here, thats a little more than 2 months of cable with movie channels, How many video games can your kids give up to chip in? how many lunches made at home instead of eating out? you make CHOICES )

I watched 'cost' when we got another dog - but even a 'free' or 'rescued' dog needs basic shots and neutering!

and hey - I never intended to be a cat owner - but what was I supposed to do when this stray kitty showed up and it was below zero out - let him freeze to death? or take him to the shelter? they've got so many cats, there's no way he'd have survived!
Heck, I even found a 'bargain' for him! I sign him over to a local rescue as a found stray ( which he was) and fill out adoption papers at the same time. Pay the adoption fee of $88, and they will have him fixed, get his shots, check for worms, feline HIV and lukemia blood test, and a microchip! as soon as he's out of the vets (outpatient) he's mine again!

I'm poor, but if I was so poor that I couldn't come up with $200 to spring my best friend, I certainly wouldn't be looking to replace him with another dog!!
what a nut case!

Laura