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Questions Answered by Kristina M. Bergsten
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for New Jersey on
Q: Our neighbor's dog comes on our property daily, off leash, and poops in our yard.

We have asked them multiple times to keep the dog in their yard, but they have not done anything. They let him out in the yard with no supervision, and he uses our yard as his toilet. Do we have any recourse?

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 28, 2020

Call animal control for Dog off leash or Failure to control.

1 Answer | Asked in Wrongful Death and Animal / Dog Law for Florida on
Q: Can I sue the vet for malpractice?

The first vet said my cat had an infection. I had to take him back about 5 times. He just gave him more antibiotics. It getting worse. Several spots were on him. The vet told me he couldn't do any more for my baby. Another vet referred me to a reputable vet. I took him. She said I should have... View More

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

Yes, check out Joey’s Legacy on Facebook for resources in Florida.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for Florida on
Q: Purchased puppy who got very sick. FL breeder does not want to help with the bills.

I purchased a puppy who became very sick. I am heartbroken and almost lost him. The breeder is in Florida and does not want to help pay for the vet bills or reimburse me for the price of the puppy. In the state of Florida can I sue them in small claims court for the price of the puppy and all of... View More

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

Yes you can sue. You might want to check Florida’s consumer protection and breeder laws to see if there is anything specific that helps you in the lawsuit. Try reaching out to a Florida consumer protection or civil attorney.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for Illinois on
Q: If someone agreed to watch my dogs and then gave my dogs away could I sue them?

We paid a friend to watch our dogs while we left to go to Maryland for the holidays ,but after we left he told us he got his dog from some lady who left it outside in the cold,and now he's not responding to our text or calls

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

Yes you can sue. You might also be able to report these people to animal control for animal cruelty.

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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 Animal / Dog Law for New Jersey on
Q: can your dog be seized for simply barking or lunging at someone if nobody got hurt?
Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 27, 2020

Probably not. You will need to check your state statutes for whether or not lunging is a criminal offense. It is here in Colorado.

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Maryland on
Q: A bf and gf live together. Gf adopted cat and gave to bf as a surprise Xmas present. Now break up. Who keeps the cat?

Bf cleans litterbox most often, buys the food often, and feeds the cat most often. In Maryland. Gf moving to out of country.

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

If there is proof of the gift (card, text message, Facebook post), then the answer is boyfriend. If there is no proof of the gift, then the answer is girlfriend.

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for North Carolina on
Q: If someone tries to take their dog back after they said they needed to give him away, legally can they take them back?

My friend was giving his dog away, he is going through a lot of emotional stuff. His home when I took the dog was disgusting. I took this dog to get his shots, checkup and have bathed this dog myself as well as going to PetSmart. He has acclimated to my home and is in training. Now this friend... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 26, 2020

If he gave you the dog then it’s yours. Hopefully you have text messages or something of this gift, otherwise it might be possible he could take the dog back. But he’d have to sue you in court and win and it sounds like he doesn’t really have the bandwidth to do that.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Utah on
Q: My dog was supposed to be in quarantine for 10 days and I think that the animal shelter put him down without my consent
Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 26, 2020

That is terrible! You can file a civil lawsuit. I would recommended talking to a local civil attorney about this. You can also try going to the media to raise awareness

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law on
Q: My question is that can we put a case on someone who is not putting his dog inside his house?
Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 26, 2020

It depends on the animal cruelty laws of where you live (no location was posted - but they are easy enough for you to google), and whether or not this person is giving food and water.

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 California on
Q: Is keeping your dog inside and never letting it outside an act of animal cruelty? (Dog has became aggressive)

My neighbor has their dog inside and never lets it go outside and whenever we go near their house their dog is barking aggressively. And I am concerned for the poor dog never gets to go on walks or okay outside for a bit.

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 24, 2020

Unfortunately, probably not. It depends on if sanitary conditions are a part of the local laws

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: I gave my dog away I regret it hrs later I ask her to please return it that I was willing to do anything but she don't

I offer to buy another dog and take to her or to do anything she wanted me to. I explained that I had problems and I had made a mistake that now is destroying our family. I hadn't passed not even 24 hrs went I begged her. Is there anything I can do to get my dog back please help

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 24, 2020

Unfortunately, probably not. You could try to sue in replevin, but if there is evidence you willingly gave the dog away, it is not likely that you will win.

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Michigan on
Q: I live in a duplex and my dog accidentally killed my neighbors kitten in between our house doors in a “common space”

The common space is technically inside our property.

The dog picked up the kitten and dropped it immediately when she realized she hurt it.

Punctured its belly.

My neighbor called the police and said the dog has bitten her before and that is untrue.

I live in... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 24, 2020

The answers to your questions depend on what your lease says constitutes an evictable action and your landlord. This can be independent of the criminal process. I would highly recommend you to speak to an animal lawyer or criminal defense lawyer in your area.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Small Claims for Georgia on
Q: How should I go about getting money owed to me? I have contacted the person but they have not responded.

My sister purchased a puppy, unfortunately within a week the puppy was injured. To be clear the puppy was injured at her home in her care. My husband and I visited her home to which we found the puppy limping. Long story short we made an agreement that we would take the puppy off her hands if she... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 24, 2020

You will have to sue her in small claims court.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Our HOA, says no dog breeding for commercial purposes. A neighbor just started breeding dogs and selling, told HOA she

is a dog hobbyist. Turned garage into a puppy dorm with heat & ac. Installed shed with heat & ac as kennel. What are community rights.

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 23, 2020

If the HOA isn't going to do anything (which I'm surprised they're not - you might want to take the "squeaky wheel" approach), then the local municipality or county might have ordinances about breeding that she is in violation.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: My landlord says that he can charge a pet deposit and monthly fees for my emotional support animal. Is this true in Il?
Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 23, 2020

No. It is not. It’s covered by the FHA which is a federal law.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Ohio on
Q: I have two dogs that my friends are refusing to give back to me they agreed to keep them till I found a place to live
Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 23, 2020

You’ll have to sue in replevin if the police won’t help you get your dog back.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for North Carolina on
Q: If a person steals my dog, can the police make me pay the thief for flea dip fees they incurred while having my dog?

My nephew asked a friend to watch his dog while he looks for a new place. He has been sending money for the care of the dog. While away for a weekend the mother of the friend went into his home and took the dog. They are refusing to give it back. The dog is registered and microchipped. We have gone... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 23, 2020

You might want to see if you can contact the chief of police to bring this situation to his/her attention. Otherwise, you’ll have to sue in replevin to get your dog back.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Tennessee on
Q: Is there a charge for someone threatening to shoot and kill your dogs? When they are fenced and away from property line

I own a boarding and breeding business so these dogs are a livelihood not merely pets.

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 23, 2020

This could constitute animal cruelty, it depends on your jurisdiction. Try reporting it to the police and see if they will help.

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