Mom, undergoing cancer treatment, trusted a sitter with the family puppy. 7 months later, the sitter is refusing to return her over a bizarre excuse
She even said she doesn't want to remove Lucy from her 'pack'
Every dog owner knows that pit-in-the-stomach worry when they have to hand over their pet's leash to someone else. They often stress about whether their dog will feel safe and at home. This exact dilemma hit Hanna Bustos and her family after she was diagnosed with cancer. While searching for a caregiver for their one-and-a-half-year-old poodle, Lucy, the South Florida family finally found a local dog sitter. But what was supposed to be a temporary setup turned into a nightmare when the owner refused to return the dog, as reported by WPLG Local 10 (@WPLGLocal10) on September 6, 2026.
Welcoming Lucy
The family adopted Lucy as a puppy when Hanna's husband, Roger, was against adopting a dog. However, after the children told him that they'd take care of the dog and do all the chores, he finally gave in. Soon, they adopted Lucy, who instantly became a core part of the family. Everything was going as expected until the Bustos household hit a chaotic stretch. Not only did the couple have to look after their kids, but they also had to manage Hannah's health as she was diagnosed with cancer. Soon, they realized that taking care of Lucy was impossible. So they began searching for caregivers locally. After much deliberation, the couple reached an agreement with a local woman operating a dog breeding business.
The shocking twist
The couple trusted their beloved dog with the woman while they focused on their family's health and travel. There was no written agreement, but it was a temporary arrangement. When Hannah's treatment neared an end in August, the family reached out to take Lucy back. But the woman blatantly refused. "I am not giving her up. I am very sorry you are going through this, but this doesn’t change my decision," the dog sitter said, according to the Bustos. In fact, she even said she doesn't want to remove Lucy from her "pack." Hearing the caretaker claim their dog, the couple was both stunned and furious. As things stand, it's been roughly seven months since the Bustos family last saw their beloved Lucy in February. Despite that, the family continues to hold Lucy's bed, toys, and even food bowls close as they hope for her return.
Demanding legal answers
Refusing to back down, Bustos and her family have now launched a campaign to push for Lucy's return. After initial visits to law enforcement yielded no results, they turned to an attorney to handle the fight in court. "I was fighting for my life, but now I’m ready to fight for Lucy," Hannah said. For now, they are waiting for a reply from the boarder, who received a legal notice from the attorney and has until 5:00 p.m. on Monday to return the dog safely.
Meanwhile, the incident has brought attention to growing pet theft. According to AKC Reunite, dog thefts within the United States have risen by 34% over the last five years. While all types of dogs are vulnerable to theft, some are targeted more often than others. This includes French Bulldogs, Yorkshire Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and others. To keep pets safe, Tom Sharp, President and CEO of AKC Reunite, urged pet parents to microchip their pets.
'Rescue the dog ASAP'
As for the people, they feel like the situation goes beyond just the Bustos handing the dog to a boarder. @barbiesaiz2834 alleged, "She is breeding Lucy. Get the dog back ASAP! Praying for Lucy." @CATSFOREVER308 said, "If that was my dog, that dog sitter wouldn't get any peace."
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