Family files suit for return of dog they say was wrongfully adopted
The dispute over an adopted dog is headed to court after a Cary lawyer, moved by the case, offered to work for free for one of the families.
Posted — UpdatedLike many shelters, Cumberland County gives owners three business days to claim a pet from the shelter. A county ordinance requires that timeline be extended another 72 hours "if the owner is known."
About 10 minutes before the initial deadline, shelter staff learned that the Davises were looking for Bobo, but they still adopted him out to the Eatons that same day.
Terranova said he tried first to resolve the issue without filing suit. He reached out to the Eatons, Animal Control Director Dr. John Lauby and the county attorney. When they didn't respond, he filed suit.
Bobo's original owners, Zeida and Lorelai Davis and their mom, Niki, are simply heartbroken.
"I don't understand them keeping him," Niki Davis said.
Terranova said it was the devastation of the two girls that bothered him most.
Lauby defended his employees. In a statement to WRAL News Thursday, he said:
“Cumberland County Animal Control followed its procedures in dealing with the stray dog dropped off at the Animal Shelter with no identifying tags or microchip. The impounded animal was not claimed by its owner after the required three-day holding period and no owner’s name or address was provided to the department. The dog then became available for adoption and we followed our procedures for that process.
“It is upsetting to lose a pet and we sympathize with the Davis family. We encourage pet owners to have their animals microchipped. All pet owners should make sure their pets are wearing proper vaccination and identifying tags. Should your pet go missing, contact or visit Animal Control immediately.”
Niki Davis said the lawsuit, while an extreme measure, is her way of doing everything she can for Bobo and her girls, who she says ask about him all the time.
Robin Eaton declined to comment Thursday on the lawsuit. She previously said keeping Bobo was "in the dog's best interest."
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