D
Donna72
Guest
I hope I'm asking this in the right place. I did a search and couldn't find an answer that way. Anyway...
About 11 years ago I was a college student on winter break, and my family got a puppy. I took care of her then and she imprinted on me, so she's my dog too. But for most of the time since she has lived with them, and most of the vet records and bills are in her name even though I've paid for some recently (more on that later).
About two years ago my parents and I worked out a "joint custody" arrangement - she would spend a month with them and then a month with me, alternating. We have done this since even though nothing was in writing of course.
For lots of reasons I won't go into I have long been concerned that they didn't take care of her properly and were careless about her, and I mentioned this to my mother. Then about two months ago while at their house she got into mouse poison that my father had left out on a table. (My mother rushed her to the vet so she's ok now.) But when I got her back for my turn I told them I was not giving her back at the end of the month because I didn't trust them to keep her safe.
What are the legal ramifications here? What would happen on the off chance that they called the police on me, since they don't see leaving mouse poison on a table as negligent? Please help! I'm worried I will be forced to give my beloved dog back and she'll be unsafe once again.
I'm in Chicago, IL, btw if it matters. Thanks very much in advance.
About 11 years ago I was a college student on winter break, and my family got a puppy. I took care of her then and she imprinted on me, so she's my dog too. But for most of the time since she has lived with them, and most of the vet records and bills are in her name even though I've paid for some recently (more on that later).
About two years ago my parents and I worked out a "joint custody" arrangement - she would spend a month with them and then a month with me, alternating. We have done this since even though nothing was in writing of course.
For lots of reasons I won't go into I have long been concerned that they didn't take care of her properly and were careless about her, and I mentioned this to my mother. Then about two months ago while at their house she got into mouse poison that my father had left out on a table. (My mother rushed her to the vet so she's ok now.) But when I got her back for my turn I told them I was not giving her back at the end of the month because I didn't trust them to keep her safe.
What are the legal ramifications here? What would happen on the off chance that they called the police on me, since they don't see leaving mouse poison on a table as negligent? Please help! I'm worried I will be forced to give my beloved dog back and she'll be unsafe once again.
I'm in Chicago, IL, btw if it matters. Thanks very much in advance.