Max did not go to owner, but to FORMER owner who hasn't owned him in months

I spent a few hours last night calculating how event of things happened and how this dog was passed around so much when I got word of where he was. Due to my promise I will not give any names of any of these people as all spoke to me and gave me their side. His name is Max. He's a 2 1/2 year old min pin. He did not go to the current owner, he was given to a FORMER owner. We will call this first person (the former owner) Sarah. Sarah saw his post that Kathy made. You see Sarah owned Max months and months ago, and was fearful for his life. So Sarah called Kathy and even told Kathy she had given him away months ago due to personal reasons in her life. Kathy still gave him to Sarah. Kathy then tried to force Sarah to make a post saying she was the owner and got the dog back. Threats of police action were made by Kathy if the post was not made. Sarah couldn't keep Max, so Max was then given to a second woman.(we will call her Angela). Part Two- Angela also could not keep Max, but wanted to help so Angela posted Max on animal sites for free. Part Three- Then yet another woman,(we will call her Julie) got Max from Angela. I was then contacted by Angela who gave me names of where he's been. I contacted each and every one of them who gave me their story, and then went to get Max. Where is Max now? He's with me and his owners will be sought out! Here are just two of the questions that need to be asked: 1) What would have happened had "Sarah" not come forward? 2) Why would an ACO knowingly return the dog to a FORMER owner instead of seeking out the CURRENT owner?