dividend/short question

Curious, Who collects the dividend on a share of a stock thats short? I was just looking at shares short on one of my stocks. 7.8 million shares of it are short,who's collecting the divvy on those? I've never even thought of it before until tonight. I figured one of our resident sages would probably know this of the top of their head. TIA

JOHN

I would think whoever owns the real shares.

Whoever is the owner at the ex-dividend date will collect the dividend. The ex-dividend date comes before the date of record and the date payable.

sooooooooo, the person who owns the shares short collects the dividend? I ask because those are "borrowed" shares,right? Something doesn't seem right with that. If so ,would make my divvy capture test a littlr different. If I can short something and collect the divvy? I guess thats bottom line question i'm asking.
J

"With the market as it, many of you have decided to include shorting in your investment strategy. It's quite possible that one of the companies that you shorted was one that pays a cash dividend. Since you are likely borrowing the shares that you initially sold to create your short position, you are required to reimburse the lender of the stock for the dividends that he missed. Your broker probably notified you of that fact, and reduced your cash position in your account by the amount of the dividend."

Ref: The Motley Fool

Thats the answer i was looking for DD. I didn't think to ask TMF,duh. I figured you'd be the guy to answer it,thx again.

J

PS makes me wonder how I would know if any of my shares have been shorted and owed any dividends. I know i sure as hell haven't received any. Has anyone here? I'm gonna shoot that one out on some of the stock boards I visit. Interesting query.