A court issued an unusual ex parte order instructing a man to return Teddy, a beloved Shih Tzu, to a woman within 48 hours. Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court Judge Raz Navon ruled that if the man failed to comply, enforcement authorities, including the Enforcement and Collection Authority and the police, could enter his apartment and return the dog to the woman.
On Tuesday morning, the dog was returned by the man who had been holding him to attorney Nira Yadin, who represents the woman.
The court order was issued after it was proven beyond doubt that the dog is registered in the woman’s name and has a microchip, a municipal license and a vaccination booklet.
The Teddy affair began in December 2025, when the woman was between apartments. She was staying with a friend along with her dog, whom she has raised for seven years. Last month, she found a new apartment and moved her belongings from the friend’s home to the new residence. According to the statement of claim, after completing the move, she asked the friend to arrange a time to collect her dog. The friend allegedly refused and offered her money in exchange for the dog.
The woman rejected the offer, saying the dog was like her son. At first, the friend refused to allow her access to the dog. Later, according to the lawsuit, he began threatening to contact immigration authorities, even though the woman is legally residing in Israel.
The claim also states that a friend of the man threatened the woman’s life, telling her that if she did not stop trying to retrieve the dog, she could be harmed. In a message sent to her, it was written that she should “stop if she doesn’t want a knife to her throat.”
Later, according to the lawsuit, after the court issued a restraining order for threatening harassment, the friend informed the woman that the dog was no longer with him and that he had sold him. However, the lawsuit alleges that when she called him that same day, she could hear the dog barking in the background.
Attorney Nira Yadin, represented the woman in courtAttorney Nira Yadin told ynet following the issuance of the order: “Let it be known that a dog is property and chattel. The person registered as its licensed owner is the sole legal holder, and any other person in possession is unlawfully holding it and must return it to its owner.”
The man who had been holding the dog told ynet that he did not personally threaten the woman and that any threat was made by a third party who “took the law into his own hands.” He added: “I arranged to meet the plaintiff’s attorney for coffee and the dog was handed over to her. The dog was returned with all his belongings, groomed, cared for and vaccinated.”