Attempts To Find Family That Adopted Dog Blocked By Ruling

DENVER (CBS4) - A dog owner whose pet was accidentally adopted out to a new family has hit a roadblock in his search for the family that adopted his dog. On Thursday, a judge ruled the information about the family is protected.

"I plan on pursuing this until I have no other options left," said Korey Wetherell.

Wetherell just wants his dog, Chewbacca, back. In March, Wetherell left him in the hands of his roommates while he was out of town, and Chewbacca ran off. The dog ended up at the Denver Animal Shelter.

Wetherell said he posted a missing dog ad on Craigslist, and soon learned Chewbacca was at the Denver Animal Shelter. He called the shelter and said he'd pick up his pet at the end of the week. But he wasn't able to return in time. When a friend went to pick up the dog, Chewbacca had already been adopted to a new family.

The shelter said the 5-day window for owners to retrieve their lost pet had passed, so Chewbacca went to a new home. Wetherell has been trying to get him back ever since.

"Something that should take two weeks is turning into a monthly process and it's not fair to me or my dog," said Wetherell.

Despite efforts by the shelter Chewbacca's new owners won't give back the dog and the adoption can't be forcibly undone..

"I do feel like they're partially at fault and I don't understand how nothing could be done," said Wetherell.

Pleas for Chewbacca's return have spread on social media, calling for the new owners to return the dog.

Even though Chewbacca's new family information is protected by law, Wetherell is working to file a lawsuit so his best friend can return home.

"I'm not going to give up on this. As much as those people love that dog they have kids and I know they would fight for their kids so they need to think of it as, 'I'm fighting for my dog' which is basically the same idea," said Wetherell.

Wetherell has plans to post pictures and flyers with Chewbacca's picture in area around the city in hopes someone will recognize him or know who has his dog-- then convince them to return Chewbacca.

LINK: Bring Chewbacca Home