Ohio: Rehomed A Dog From The “first Owner”, Now Breeder Says The Owner Breached Their Contract And Breeder Is Demanding I Return The Dog. Do They Have A Claim Against Me?

Location: Ohio. About 7 weeks ago I took in a 2 year old purebred dog from someone I’ll call “A”. A posted in a local group that they needed to rehome due to a sudden move + health stuff, and I’ve owned this breed before so I met up, the dog seemed well cared for, and I agreed to take him. I paid A a small rehoming fee (not a huge amount, basically to cover supplies they said they just bought) and they handed over the dog, vet paperwork, and a folder with the breeder’s info. At the time A told me the breeder was “aware” they were rehoming. I did not sign anything with the breeder. The only paper I signed was a simple rehoming receipt between me and A with the date and the dog’s description, and we have texts about the transfer. Since then, I’ve paid for a vet visit in my name, got an Ohio county dog license in my name, and I have receipts for food, crate, etc. The dog is now settled and doing great.

Last week I got an email from the breeder (I’m guessing A gave them my info or the breeder found me through the microchip, I’m not sure). The breeder says A violated their purchase contract, and that contract allegedly states the dog must be returned to the breeder and cannot be rehomed without breeder approval. The breeder attached a 1 page contract with A’s name and signature on it. It does say something like “If at any time Buyer can no longer keep the dog, dog must be returned to Breeder” and “Buyer may not sell or transfer ownership.” The breeder is demanding that I return the dog to them within 72 hours or they will “pursue legal action.” They said they will sue me for “wrongful possession” and that they have “ownership rights” under the contract. They also accused me of “knowingly participating” in a breach. I honestly did not know this contract existed at the time, and I definitely never agreed to it. I asked A about it and A basically said “I didn’t think they’d enforce it” and then stopped replying.

My questions: Does the breeder have any legal right to force me to return the dog, when the contract is between breeder and A and I’m not a party to it? If A breached their contract, is that strictly between them and the breeder, or can the breeder come after me (replevin, conversion, whatever) to take the dog back? Does it matter that I have vet records/licensing in my name now, and I didn’t steal the dog, I received him in what I thought was a legitimate rehome? Also, should I respond to the breeder at all, or only through an attorney? I’m not trying to be difficult, I’m trying to understand what my actual legal risk is here in Ohio and what steps I should take to protect myself and the dog. Any general guidance on what documents matter most would help too (texts, receipt, vet records, etc).