WIBTAH if I I kept him

[u/Delicious-Intern6618]

I’m struggling with this one. We were leaving town after a wedding, we’d left the hotel late and grabbed a bowl of bacon on the way out. As we were driving down the frontage road, about to merge onto the highway I saw a fluffy dog running TOWARDS oncoming traffic. I pulled off and used my bacon to get him closer… I just reacted. He was matted pretty bad and a bit skinny, but very friendly. No collar, and the only person kind of close said they had no idea who the little guy was. I had an 8 hour drive ahead of me, thought he had been out there for a long time given his state so I wrapped him up and took him with me and my other two dogs.

Once I got home I went straight to the vet, and had them check for a chip. He had none. We agreed I’d take care of the matting then have him fully check out (that’s coming tomorrow his coat was in baaaad shape) Made a post in the area I found him, then called my local shelter. They couldn’t take him in but I was told to keep looking for his owner and to make sure I got verifiable proof if someone came forward.

I did find his family, and they are pissed I took him all the way home. Arrangements have been made for someone to pick him up, and I’ve gotten some proof that he’s theirs. But no recent vet records, only one from years ago…and the longer I’ve had him the worse I realize his condition is. The matting could not have happened within the “day” or so he got out. He’s got critters living on him that would have needed months to get to point they’re in.. I’m torn. I can’t really have another pet, but what if I don’t have a choice? EDIT: What I mean is, what if no one comes to pick him up? And another big issue for me is just the state he is in vs what they’re saying happened. I would not just refuse to give him back-just struggling if I should involve the authorities or Animal Welfare.

[u/sciteachhs]

Your NTA for wanting to help an animal, YTA for not looking into shelters or other rescues or people to help in that area. I live in a tourist area where many people visit from at least 3 hours away, this is an all too frequent occurrence near me where well-meaning people visiting take dogs or cats that belong to people, and then justify it by assuming the dog or cat “was dumped” You should have considered the possibility the dog had a local owner before you drove it 8 hours away. In many states a dog is a possession and this would be stealing…

[u/Delicious-Intern6618 → u/sciteachhs]

I can’t argue with that. My first thought was not that he could be local, I’ve never been in a situation like this before. And I honestly thought my local shelter would be better equipped to take him, I’ve volunteered there and I knew the area I was in had a very high number of strays as well as kill shelters