Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
Alabama Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Social Security and Business Law for Alabama on
Q: I’m on disability can I run a nonprofit animal rescue without it affecting my social security?
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 7, 2023

If you receive Social Security disability benefits, engaging in activities like running a nonprofit can affect your benefits if it is considered "substantial gainful activity" (SGA). The Social Security Administration (SSA) allows beneficiaries to work while receiving disability benefits... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for Alabama on
Q: My neighbor's unleashed dogs attacked my cat on my property. Is my neighbor responsible for the vet bills incurred?

My cat ultimately died but not before I incured over $3200 in vet bills.

Don Oliver Keene
Don Oliver Keene
answered on Jun 14, 2023

Yes, but you will likely have to sue them in court to get them to pay for it. This sounds like you likely have a negligence claim against your neighbor because they caused you economic damage (the $3200 vet bills). The other thing that helps you here is that the dog attacked your cat on your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: Can I go to jail if I break up with my boyfriend and take my dog that he gave me with me

Can I go to jail if I take my dog with me whenever I move out for my boyfriend's house he gave me the dog but it's not his dog is mine what kind of proof do I need that she belongs to me and is there anything that he can do to me if I take my dog with me he don't take care of her and... View More

Erik Špila
Erik Špila
answered on Aug 23, 2022

Dear Mrs,

the proof of dog ownership should be available at your local vet station where dog should have been registered on his first medical examination. Also some cities hold their own records about dog owners, so contacting local city hall can also possibly help you. If you are the owner...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: I am buying a tibetan mastiff with an invisible fence on my 30 acre property if it bites a trespassing dog am I liable

My neighbors dogs routinely trespass and while I'm getting a docile breed I'm worried something may happen because dogs can be territorial and want to know if I need to build a real fence to protect myself from liability

Hunter Garnett
Hunter Garnett
answered on Feb 20, 2022

Generally, no. A dog owner is not liable if the dog attacks another dog that comes on the dog owner's property without the property owner/dog owner's permission.

If you were sued for damages and lost the case, the damages would be limited to the vet bills for the injured dog or...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: I have a dog I posted signs on my front porch Beware of dog a lady ignores the signs walks up on porch my dog bite her

Who responseable my dog is on a lesh she came on my property

Nelson Craig Johnson
Nelson Craig Johnson
answered on Sep 9, 2021

In Alabama there are typically three instances where an owner can be responsible for a dog biting someone. 1) if the dog has known dangerous or vicious propensities. 2) If the dog is a breed that is listed on a dangerous breed list. For the State of Alabama that is only Pit Bulls. Counties or... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Real Estate Law, Animal / Dog Law and Civil Litigation for Alabama on
Q: Myself and 8 others own an undivided lot lot with boathouses and lake access. a new is using the lot. Can he w/o permi?

The new neighbor lives adjacent to our undivided lot and got the idea if he kept it up then they could use it for extra room when having get togethers. I am concerned about injuries and them claiming the lot for themselves since they kept it up and used it for all those years. Am I correct in... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Jun 23, 2021

I believe you have answered you question: contact an attorney in your area, discuss your situation and/or give him the above post, and ask what to do/what does he recommend.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: Question about Pet custody.

In 2013 my husband and I purchased a family dog and of course let his daughter pick out and name the dog. Now she 17 and no longer comes to visit. Her Mother his ex wife is now suing us for custody of max the dog. she has no monetary ownership nor has the dog ever lived with her. they had been... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Dec 2, 2020

Probably not. She has no ownership interest. That said, people can sue for anything. The clerks at court do not have the authority (or time) to screen cases to see whether they are valid or not. The real question is whether the person filing the suit will win. Based on what you said, it sounds like... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: Can I shoot a dog for killingy cat on my property

Dog has killed other neiborhs animals but no proof

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 27, 2020

No. Call animal control to report the attack.

1 Answer | Asked in Wrongful Death, Animal / Dog Law and Civil Litigation for Alabama on
Q: I think a vet clinic is responsible for the death of my cat, any advice?
Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 25, 2020

You’ll have to either sue or file a complaint with your local licensing board.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: Found puppies in TN

Could I take them to a vet and get a health record? With them being found, they did not know anything about them. If taking to a vet will work, would it need to be in TN or would my AL vet work?

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 20, 2020

You AL vet is fine.

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law, Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: Someone found puppies in the woods in TN & I live in AL. Can I take these puppies across state lines?

I agreed to come get the puppies so they were safe. He gave me his address and told me to come get them. Now someone else is wanting them so they are threatening me with court and police. Is there anything they can do since I have proof he told me to come get them and gave me his address?

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 18, 2020

If you have agreement with the owner of the puppies that the puppies are yours, then they are yours. You can travel across state lines but make sure you have the proper health documents, too.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: My dog has gotten my dad's deceased girlfriend's dog pregnant again. Do I get custody of the puppies by default?

So last month my dad's girlfriend passed away. However my dog and her dog are mates and are about to have another litter of puppies. The girlfriend's two children were left her belongings and her stepbrother is the executor of the will. Legally am I entitled to the litter even though my... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 10, 2020

Generally, in breeding contract situations where all breeders are actively involved, siring the puppies would give you an ownership interest if that was contracted for. Usually, though, a "stud fee" is paid for the male dog's "performance" so to speak. It sounds like this... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Wrongful Death for Alabama on
Q: My dog was ran over (I witnessed it) by a truck going 50 mph down a dead end road in the country. What could I do?

The speed limit on my road is 15 mph! The person who ran him over NEVER stopped or turned around after obviously running a dog over. My dog was ran over right beside our mailbox, basically in my YARD. the truck that ran him over should have been on the right side of the road but my dog was on the... View More

Christopher Belk Estes
Christopher Belk Estes
answered on Jun 10, 2020

Oh my gosh. That is terrible and I am so sorry for your loss. You should report this to the Police and the District Attorneys Office and see if you can get them to pursue animal cruelty charges against this person. As for a civil case, unfortunately animals are treated as property and valued as... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: My sister was in a drug recovery center when the manager pit bull bit her in the face causing major damage. What should

What should she start off asking for damages. Her eye and lip was really damaged

J. Brent Burney
PREMIUM
J. Brent Burney
answered on Apr 25, 2019

Dog attack and dog bite cases can be difficult cases primarily due to insurance coverage issues. The first thing your sister should do is to put the dog owner and drug recovery center an official notice of her claim for damages. To fully protect her rights she should consult a personal injury... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Products Liability and Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: Have dog 5 years. Family agreed to watch our dog until we got back on our feet-6 months, he chipped him & won't return

We moved in with an uncle when he asked us to help him take care of his dying partner (bone cancer) shortly after his passing he kicked us out and said he would keep our dog until we were in a good place. We found out he had him chipped and now he will not give him back to us. We've had our... View More

Mr. James Parrish Coleman
Mr. James Parrish Coleman
answered on Jul 8, 2018

A dog is property. You can sue him. You are going to have to show that he agreed to keep the dog temporarily and that you didn't give the dog to him. GOod luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Libel & Slander for Alabama on
Q: My dog got ran over.Lady came back an hour later wanting reimbursement for car damage.Cant find my dog.What can I do?

The lady lives at the end of my road. Every time she comes by she is speeding way over the 25mh speed limit. I still haven't found my dog to know if hes hurt or dead. This lady came back am hour after running my dog over wanting money. I think if my dog is hurt or dead she should pay me for... View More

Jeremy Cohen
Jeremy Cohen
answered on Feb 5, 2018

Hello,

Helpful information can be found on the county website, division of animal control. The website states: Animals are not permitted to run at large in Marshall County pursuant to state law. (Code of Alabama, Section 3-1-5).

They also may be able to assist you in locating your...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Personal Injury, Animal / Dog Law and Small Claims for Alabama on
Q: Do we have claim to our cat, even though her adoption papers are in the name of our roommate?

My friend and I, along with our roommate, adopted a cat. The adoption papers are in the roommate's name, but we equally split the cost of the adoption fee, vet bills, and our apartment pet fee. Our roommate is now moving out and says she is going to take the cat. Can she legally do this? Or... View More

Mr. James Parrish Coleman
Mr. James Parrish Coleman
answered on Nov 15, 2017

The cat is property. Cats are not actually "adopted" under Alabama law. The documents which transferred ownership of the cat probably show that she owns the cat. UNless you can show that you own the cat, you are probably out of luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: A Ferrell tom cat got into my garage and killed one of my own cats.

I have a have-a-heart trap that I could try to catch him with. If successful can I release it anywhere away from my neighborhood or in some wooded area?

Samuel G McKerall
Samuel G McKerall
answered on Apr 24, 2017

Interesting question. I know of no reason why you couldn't do that, except that your use of the word "anywhere" is a concern. It would not be wise to do it just anywhere. For example, releasing it in a residential area or near a school would be a bad idea. The best location would... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for Alabama on
Q: My dog and another dog were in a fight a couple of weeks ago, I was bitten by the other dog. Is she liable?

Can I still report it?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Feb 2, 2017

Depends on how it happened, but usually no unless the other dog came on to your property, was let run free etc. Contact a member of the Ala. Assn for Justice--they give free consultations.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for Alabama on
Q: My neighbors pit bull chased me and bit my leg while I was walking my dog on her leash down a public street. Can I sue?

Around 9:45 pm on Jan 21,2017, I was walking my dog on her leash down a public side street in my town when a large black or blue blur came running up to me and my dog. I pulled my dog close to me and started to jog away from the dog. The dog then ran around us barking so I turned around to walk... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jan 23, 2017

Call the local dog warden or whoever enforces leash laws; they'll get a rabies record. Contact a member of the Alabama Assn for Justice--they give free consultations.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.