'I spent over $180 on flea treatments': Stepdad takes daughter's puppy to a friend's house without her permission, brings him back home full of fleas and refuses to reimburse for consequences

Author image for Ayala Sorotsky
Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor
Dec 20, 2025 10:00 AM EST

There's something really sinister about taking someone else's pet without their permission for no apparent reason. It's not just taking something owned by someone else. This is not comparable with someone who takes another person's watch, for example, to just wear it out somewhere, without permission. Sure, things might happen to the watch - it might break, or be damaged - and then this person would have some explaining (and paying) to do. So just imagine the risk when it's not a watch, or any inanimate object - but a living, breathing being, that someone adopted and has responsibility over.

But, somehow, this stepdad thinks it's okay? Nope. This doesn't slide by us. When he takes his stepdaughter's puppy for a friend visit, without her permission, it's a thick red line to cross. And it's not like he had any benevolent intentions - this isn't a dog in distress, it's not a puppy in any need - he just… wanted to show off? Really, your guess is as good as ours. Because as far as we understand - he didn't give any reason for what he did.

But do you know what he didn't do? He didn't pay for any of the treatments for the fleas he brought home with him. Yes, this stepdad didn't just take the puppy out without permission, he took it to a friend who he knew had a dog with fleas. And when the puppy came home? He gifted all these fleas to the rest of the house's pets. The 18-year-old stepdaughter paid for everything. And stepdad? Not even one dime.

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  • 01
    hello. i (18f) have my own dog. he's an 8 month old golden. my stepdad took my dog to his friends house while i was out, without my permission mind you.
    via kittym4k4r0v_

  • Just… why would anyone take someone's dog without their permission? Why would you ever take a pet that's not yours, and just… take it away? Not as in stealing even - why would anyone do that?

  • 02
    golden retriever puppy lying down on the floor, looking at the camera
    via Josh Hild from Pexels

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 03
    he came back and this morning i saw a flea on his face. i instantly freaked out.
    via kittym4k4r0v_
  • 04
    turns out he an my family dog have fleas too. i have 2 cats that are my own as well and both of them now have fleas too.
    via kittym4k4r0v_
  • 05
    a flea tick on a dog's fur
    via @meepoohyaphoto

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 06
    i spent over $180 on flea treatments for both dogs and cats, new bedding for the dogs and cats, and stuff to spray the furniture and carpet with.
    via kittym4k4r0v_
  • 07
    puppy scratches his ear for fleas
    via MRBIG_PHOTOGRAPHY

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    i am really stressed about it. i had a cat i rescued that unfortunately passed away due to a flea borne illness.
    via kittym4k4r0v_
  • 09
    i am extremely angry with my stepdad and my mom said it wasn't his fault but he didn't ask my permission and knew full well that his friends dog had fleas.
    via kittym4k4r0v_
  • 10
    woman checking a dog for fleas
    via Kzenon

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 11
    for months. i confronted him about this and said i was upset i wasn't even asked about him going.
    via kittym4k4r0v_
  • 12
    i had to buy a cat battery and now a ton of flea stuff and im so low on money already.
    via kittym4k4r0v_

  • The amount of money, time, and effort she had to spend over her stepdad's mistake - which he isn't even taking accountability for - is astounding. Poor puppy mama, we feel for her.

  • 13
    golden retriever puppy lying on the grass
    via vudhikrai

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 14
    my mom says im overreacting and it isn't a big deal. am i overreacting?
    via kittym4k4r0v_
  • 15
    hyunjini NOR, your stepdad not only violated your boundaries but also put the health of your pets in jeopardy AND made you spend hundreds of dollars to fix this. at the VERY LEAST, he should reimburse you. NOR at all
    via hyunjini
  • 16
    Tricky-Feedback-1169 No. You are not. I've got a pet and flea treatment is expensive. You wouldn't be out of line asking him to pay for the treatment, you should have just taken his card to pay for it IMHO. However, this was all yesterday? I feel like the cats wouldn't have fleas yet unless they already had them.
    via Tricky-Feedback-1169
  • 17
    However, it's possible the friend had a serious infestation. I've seen serious infestations, if that was the case, your dog would probably have 20+ fleas on them. If they were there hours then maybe hundreds, but that worst case scenario. You weren't out of line to buy treatment. Fleas are such a pain it's required. But yeah, if you haven't treated yet, bathe him and vacuum. Then treat. If you already treated just flea comb. Cats flea comb.
    via Tricky-Feedback-1169
  • 18
    BBG1308 You're not overreacting for your stepdad taking your dog somewhere without your permission. That being said, your dog can be exposed to fleas every single time he leaves the house. Your dog (and cats) can even be exposed by you or your stepdad bringing a flea into the house on clothing.
    via BBG1308
  • 19
    Your decision to own three pets - including at least one that goes outdoors without being on any regular flea/tick/heartworm prevention is something you get to own. Adult fleas can live cocooned for months without needing a blood meal. Flea larvae can live dormant for up to two years. When they become active, it's not fun.
    via BBG1308
  • 20
    Flea/tick/heartworm prevention is just part of pet ownership...unless you want to save the money and take your chances. Keep in mind you "taking your chances" has now fucked up the habitat for everyone who lives there. You should be glad they're not pissed at you IMO.
    via BBG1308
  • 21
    SnooBunnies6148 How on Earth can your mother say it isn't his fault when he literally STOLE the dog from your house. Stop phrasing it as "without my permission" and replace it with stealing. I don't care if he brought it back or not, it's still theft.
    via SnooBunnies6148
  • 22
    BinkiesForLife_05 NOR. My dog picked up fleas once from god only knows where, and she was on flea preventative medication at the time too. Those things were a nightmare to be rid of. We ended up having to boil wash absolutely everything, get specialist flea medication from the vets, and spray every single surface with flea killer, not to mention shaving down the dog and rinsing her in flea shampoo (her hair was so thick that nothing was having any effect on the fleas she was carrying). Said dog
    via BinkiesForLife_05
  • 23
    SainburyL71 Fleas can be in the grass, so it might not have been the other dog. Having a good flea prevention program should prevent your pets from picking up fleas. Or the fleas should die shortly after jumping on the pet. I mean the products from the vet that prevent heart worms too, and not the kind at a pet store. P.S. you can buy those prescription products from Canada. And beware of spraying and sprinkling a bunch of flea stuff in the house. That can make pets sick from inhaling it. Saying
    via SainburyL71
  • 24
    Calgary_Calico Absolutely not overreacting. He needs to go get flea meds from the vet and pay for them himself. This was his fault. He took your dog somewhere without your permission and she got fleas as a result, he's now responsible for fixing his fuck up
    via Calgary_Calico
  • 25
    gabsthederp NOR your stepdad is a jerk and your mom is no better for defending him. Sorry this happened babe
    via gabsthederp
  • 26
    LXS-DC Tell your mom he has to repay you for the flea treatments since it isn't a big deal. if she says no, your mom can pay. one of the cats died. not a big deal. why is your stepdad taking your dog anywhere, then not being responsible for what happens.
    via LXS-DC
  • 27
    Educational-Chair-84 Tell your sorry ass mom to pay for the treatments that sorry ass step-dad incurred. This whole situation is pathetic. Almost wish you could break something of his "by accident," and then you make no effort to correct the situation trying to replace the object. Dont do that, but if you live with them, go low- contact
    via Educational-Chair-84

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family drama dogs puppy fleas family feud stepdaughter family stepdad daughter entitled people
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