UPDATE: 8:11 P.M. Jim Benson told 13 Action News he is meeting with North Las Vegas Police to talk about his case on Wednesday.
ORIGINAL STORY:
A Las Vegas man is trying to reclaim his dead friend's dog after he claims a hospital nurse took the dog and will not give it back.
The dog's name is Gizmo and the five-year-old Yorkie has triggered a big fight.
Jim Benson says he is the rightful owner because the previous owner -- his friend Doug -- transferred ownership via Gizmo's microchip to him through PetLink.net. The website is a pet registry and pet recovery service online.
“Gizmo became mine on December 2, 2018,” says Benson.
Benson says Doug was in failing health and his dying wish was for him to find the dog a good owner.
"It was prearranged that if something happened that I was the ultimate decision-maker,” says Benson. Last Thursday, Benson says his friend Doug died at the hospital during a surgery.
"He gave the dog to the nurse that currently has him while he was going to have the procedure done. He had no idea he was going to die,” says Benson.
He claims the nurse stole Gizmo and took him home.
"Taking a dog out of a dead man's hands and claiming he gave it to her is morally disgusting and horribly wrong."
Benson provided 13 Action News paperwork and a microchip number showing he's the rightful owner of Gizmo. We reached out to the nurse and asked her if she could show any proof of ownership and she refused to provide any documentation.
13 Action News asked North Las Vegas Police about this issue, a spokesperson says pets are considered property.
To show proof of ownership, you can provide paperwork i.e., a bill of sale, vet bills or microchip information.
The Animal Foundation in Las Vegas also agrees a microchip is a valid proof of ownership. They keep track of missing animals by scanning the chip which reveals the owner's name.
Benson says he is getting frustrated and simply wants Gizmo back to keep his promise.
"It was his service dog. He loved the dog. The dog was his life. He didn't have any family,” says Benson.
