Kate Richmond successfully appeals on behalf of a charity against an order to return to a dog to its owner.

Kate represented the respondent charity in a claim for return of a puppy to its owner after the owner left the puppy with the charity for 10 months. There were animal welfare issues which the judge was not able to consider under the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977.

At first instance the judge found that the Claimant was the legal owner of the puppy and ordered that he be returned. The charity successfully appealed against the return order and at a rehearing the judge ordered damages limited to the rehoming costs of the puppy.