Let’s say one day I let my dog out to pee and I find a dog with a collar playing with my current dog through the fence. This dog is very docile, though considered an ‘aggressive’ breed. I take him in, give him food, and check for a chip but he’s not chipped. Now let’s say this dog flinches every time I or any other male raises a hand or reaches in to pet him too quickly. Then I see a post on social media about the current owner looking for him and they’re worried someone has stolen him. Am I wrong in this hypothetical situation to ignore that post and pretend I never even saw it? This hypothetical dog is not house trained at all and it gets very cold in the winters and very hot in the summers where I live. What would you do if you were able to provide this dog with a home and what you believe to be a better life?
Honestly, if you found the owner looking for the dog, it would be best to at least reach out to them. Ignoring it could lead to more problems down the line.
That’s a tough spot to be in. I would probably contact the owner just to see what the situation is. It’s kind of a moral thing, you know?
I can see why you’d want to help him, especially if you think he’d have a better life with you. But yeah, it’s also about doing the right thing.
I think you should reach out to the owner. It could also help you understand the dog’s behavior better. Knowing his past might help him settle in.
I feel you on wanting to provide a better life for him. But don’t forget that he might have a family looking for him. Maybe foster him until you can figure things out?