Neighbor abusing snail/gave it back/now DEMANDS return

[dena]

This is a big SOS for a wonderful female Apple Snail

This huge pomacea bridgsii was in a 2.5 gal tank and could hardly turn around, let alone eat. This animal is almost six inches wide and kept trying to climb up into the canopy wanting to lay eggs she doesn't even have.

She brought the snail over to me to care for, but now is DEMANDING THE SNAIL BACK, JUST BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO HAVE IT.

WHAT WOULD ALL OF YOU DO??? So far I have refused to return the snail. I am a PETA member and I am not ashamed. I did not "steal" the snail. She gave it back to me. Then demanded it back a week later.
HELP!!!
Dena

Dena in Dayton, OH

[Jennifer1978]

she gave it back to you thats her first mistake cause you can demand a return all you want of a item that you have given but once its given its gone it is now your legal property so dont give it back your in the right cause it was given to you and your also in the right cause the person obviously didnt know how to care for it so yep keep it!

[snailboom]

Maybe you should explain in a nice way what a snail so large actually needs (and it's probably not a brig being so big), the patience required to cycle a tank with adequate space, the care involved in long term maintenance like food, ph, etc for a healthy shell. Make her think about it and believe it's not worth the trouble. Is she really going to want it in 2 months after she's cycled a new tank with a new filter and all that? Most likely she was giving it inadequate care if the snail was climbing out of the tank all the time.

[dena]

Thank you Jennifer1978 for your support!

I have been sick with worry about the snail and I will stand my ground no matter how abusive this woman becomes to me.

I also have the original receipt for the snail dated December 28, 2004 from the pet shop. I hope this would even give me legal entitlement.

Dena in Dayton

[dena]

Thank you Snailboom for your support!

I found the snail in a FILTHY, SMELLY tank and tried graciously, kindly and nicely to tell and show her about Apple Snail care. I even cleaned the tank for her before she brought the "mean snail" to my door wrapped in a towel.

She hasn't changed her equipment, filter or anything. She just wants it back like it's a possession, not a living being that needs careful care.

Dena

[Donya]

6"? Whoa that's no bridgesii. Sounds like an insularum. This is what I would do: if she is unwilling to change living conditions for the snail and threatens law stuff, call the humain society or get other PETA people on your side.

If you have the receipt, does that mean that you purchased the snail and gave it to her first? I am confused on that part. If you paid for it then it's your animal.

[dena]

I have the receipt for all three snails purchased on 12/28/04.

The snail she picked out for her own gift, because she thought they were so neat grew very quickly as did the two others, Buckeye and Aura who I kept. They started breeding almost immediately after I got them home.

All three very large snails are in a twenty gallon tank now by themselves and they are having no trouble getting along.

Yes, the snail was originally mine. She promised to take care of her snail which she named MacIntosh (after the apple of course). It will be two weeks Saturday since she returned the snail to me. She is demanding the snail back, but I am the original receipt holder

They really are that big, maybe they are what you say, insularum, Donya

[Jennifer1978]

well you have the origonal recipt she is out of luck even if you did give it to her origonaly she gave it back and also she has no way to prove the snail was ever hers except from what she says you have the recipt the police cannot dispute that and by law if she gave it back to you and you have had it for 2 weeks then you are the owner its called abandonment and you cannot reclaim an animal one you have given it up like that. or at least thats the way it is with cats and dogs so basicly you can call the police on her for harassment so dont sweat it and tell her that if she keeps giving you threats and such

[Donya]

If you paid for it and she never paid for it by giving money to you, then there shouldn't be any question over who gets it. You paid for it, she gave it back, its yours. If you have the tank space, I would just keep it and hope the whole thing blows over and doesn't amount to much. If she wants another gigantic snail, she can go buy one herself from the store.

Once you pass the 3.5" size range then the snail either has to be insularum, haustrum (forgot to mention that one in the previous post), or they mythical maculata that so far hasn't been verified yet. Insularum is more common than haustrum, so insuls are probably what you have. Any chance you could post a pic?

[bethany]

While I have some issues with the notion that animals (of any kind) are nothing more than mere possesions, true *property*, chattel, it works to your advantage right now. You bought the snail, you have the receiept. She GAVE it back to you, it then became YOUR property. Had you gone over and snail-napped it, that's a different story. But you didn't.

Any reaction from you or arguement with her simply fuels her fires. I would simply ignore her. I REALLY don't think the police are gonna get in the middle of a snail custody battle. Any retalitory action from her simply detracts from her credibility which already sounds shaky.

Bethnay

[dena]

The support I am receiving is gracious and inspiring.

Donya, when I had my first apple snails, I paid close attention to your research and it helped me a lot to make these babies happy and healthy.
I will try to get a picture taken of this huge, gigantic female snail asap.

Jennifer1978 you are so right about my not answering the door or pleading and begging for the woman to see reason. There is no reason why I cannot keep this big baby with the others. She has already settled in, Donya and she likes the Koi Food and the plants and the algae discs.
She is eating like a lumberjack and likes to hang out under the waterfall of the big filter.

Bethany, I am a PETA member and I know we do not "own" these or any other creatures. I am also Vegan. My cats were also strays; one was rescued from a brutal breeder because he has deformities. My Vet and I did this together. In Genesis in the Hebrew every living creature is described as "nefesh Hiyaw" (a living soul), though I wonder about the two leggeds in the world today. I thank you for your words hoping you understand my intentions in the cause of this wonderful and huge snail being. All three snails were removed from an abusive "pet warehouse" situation. All of them had damaged shells; thanks to the products I have learned about thru TerryBryant and others I have learned to care for them like my own flesh and blood.

Dena

I will try to post a photograph soon so Donya can identify her and Buckeye and Aura as well, and their six children.

[domesticflowergirl]

You are such a Wonderful Snail "Mommy" and sounds as tho your "Children" are very Blessed to have you...this Snail belongs within the "Home" of someone like yourself who will continue to give it the Love etc it needs & so deserves

DFG

[SnailTrail]

If she keeps bugging you for the snail tell her the snail will die in her set-up and her and her kids (if she has any) might get diseases. Or say you've seen worms climbing out of it.

That might put her off from ever buying another snail again I hope cos she obviously is irresponsible if she wants to take the snail from your roomy tank and put it back into the tiny puddle she calls a tank.

Good for you Dena! I would have done the same.

Janet

[dena]

StarBuck is still safe despite verbal abuse and threats from the neighbor. Keep those prayers coming.

Dena

[luvfishies]

Prayers being sent.

You stick to your guns!!!! Don't let that snailabuser have her back!