Woman Saves Aunt’s ‘Neglected’ Dog from Being Dumped at a Shelter, but Now She Demands Him Back
A woman has sparked a wave of support on Reddit after sharing her emotional and complex battle over custody of a small dog she says was neglected for years — and nearly abandoned — by her aunt.
Posting anonymously, she explained that she had long served as an unpaid dogsitter for her Aunt “K,” who owned a chihuahua mix named Vik. Over time, she began to notice serious issues with the dog’s care.
“For years, Vik didn’t get proper meals, toys, or even regular vet checkups,” she wrote. According to her, the dog’s wellbeing had been largely ignored — until a crisis in August 2024 forced her hand.
That month, K lost her temporary housing and allegedly planned to surrender Vik to a shelter. “I had to drive two hours in the middle of the night to pick him up before she dumped him at the pound,” the woman recalled. At that point, she gave her aunt a clear ultimatum: if she took the dog in, she wouldn’t give him back.
“She agreed over text,” the woman said.
Since then, Vik’s life has changed dramatically. Now described as a “happy, healthy old chihuahua mix,” he lives in a stable home, complete with toys, a bed, a new canine sibling, and regular vet care.
But the family tension didn’t end there.
Although her aunt still doesn’t have stable housing and is currently locked in a legal battle with the woman’s mother over guardianship of their elderly grandmother, she has recently begun demanding the dog’s return.
“K has started harassing me by text, threatening to call the police and accuse me of stealing her dog,” the woman said. However, she says she’s taken legal steps to secure ownership. Because Vik had no microchip or registration when she took him in, she registered him as a stray with her local council.
“She never legally owned him,” the woman argued.
Despite this, the conflict is taking a toll. “I’m scared she may try to take him by force. I don’t know what rights she might still have,” she admitted. Attempts to compromise have gone nowhere. According to the post, her aunt refuses to discuss visitation and claims her cousin is heartbroken over the situation.
“She says I’m stealing my cousin’s dog,” the woman added. Still, she remains firm in her decision.
“I don’t want to put Vik back in that awful place. I am keeping him.”
She ended the post with a plea for advice, asking, “Am I the a**hole?”
Reddit users overwhelmingly supported her decision. “NTA,” one user wrote. “Send her a cease and desist. If she doesn’t stop, file a harassment report with the police.”
Others advised her to keep meticulous records. “Do not block her. Save every message and call log — you may need them as evidence,” another said.
Though she described herself as someone who typically avoids family drama and focuses on caregiving, she made it clear that Vik’s wellbeing is her top priority — no matter the fallout.
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