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Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: Can my landlord make me give up my service dog?

They were aware before I moved in

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Feb 2, 2024

In Ohio, landlords are required to make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities under the Fair Housing Act. If your service dog assists with a disability, such as a physical or mental impairment, your landlord cannot legally require you to give up the dog. Additionally, if your... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Can I sue my boyfriend or his renters insurance for dog bites if I was living with him at the time?

The dog bit me at least 8 times.. he would usually pull the dog off of me. But not every time.. I have been to the ER several times. He never corrected the behavior. I have witnesses. I'm terrified whenever I hear a dog bark now. I would have moved out sooner but had to save money. Now that I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 29, 2024

Under California law, you may have grounds to pursue legal action for the dog bites you've suffered. California is a strict liability state regarding dog bites, meaning the dog's owner can be held liable for injuries caused by their dog, regardless of the dog's previous behavior or... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Can I sue my boyfriend or his renters insurance for dog bites if I was living with him at the time?

The dog bit me at least 8 times.. he would usually pull the dog off of me. But not every time.. I have been to the ER several times. He never corrected the behavior. I have witnesses. I'm terrified whenever I hear a dog bark now. I would have moved out sooner but had to save money. Now that I... View More

Eliza Jasinska
Eliza Jasinska
answered on Feb 17, 2024

You may sue the boyfriend for the injuries you have received but recovery will depend on the coverage that he has in the policy. The information provided presents opinions and examples and does not substitute for, nor does it constitute professional legal advice from an attorney. It is general and... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Can I sue my boyfriend or his renters insurance for dog bites if I was living with him at the time?

The dog bit me at least 8 times.. he would usually pull the dog off of me. But not every time.. I have been to the ER several times. He never corrected the behavior. I have witnesses. I'm terrified whenever I hear a dog bark now. I would have moved out sooner but had to save money. Now that I... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jan 29, 2024

You can sue your boyfriend. You cannot sue his renters insurance. That insurance would only - potentially - pay the sums for which he is liable. However, his renters insurance will likely have an exclusion for people who reside in the apartment, so it is unlikely that you will recovery anything... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Can I sue my boyfriend or his renters insurance for dog bites if I was living with him at the time?

The dog bit me at least 8 times.. he would usually pull the dog off of me. But not every time.. I have been to the ER several times. He never corrected the behavior. I have witnesses. I'm terrified whenever I hear a dog bark now. I would have moved out sooner but had to save money. Now that I... View More

Edgar Poghosyan
Edgar Poghosyan
answered on Feb 5, 2024

Under California law, a dog owner can be held liable for injuries caused by their dog under the theory of strict liability. Civil Code imposes liability on a dog owner for damages suffered by any person who is bitten while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Oregon on
Q: i live in oregon, with other people and the owners dog is vicious and attacks my dog, i dont know what to do

this dog has bitten a kid in the past and is vicious all the time

Jina Ly Clark
Jina Ly Clark
answered on Jan 28, 2024

Make a complaint to your local animal control. Find out if the dog owner is a homeowner or has renter's insurance. You are entitled to be reimbursed for any vet bills the vicious dog causes to your dog. If a human is attacked, the human is entitled to non-economic damages for pain,... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Wrongful Death for Texas on
Q: Can you sue animal control for seizing your animals while you are in jail and have them euthanized
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 25, 2024

It depends upon the particular facts of your situation. It is important to consider what arrangements you made for your animals to be properly cared for while you were in jail and why the animals were seized by animal control.

If the animals were being properly cared for and animal...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: What can I do if my dog ran out my yard and the mailman ran him over and didn’t stop and it was all caught on camera?

Will they pay his medical bills? Can I do any?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 22, 2024

Unless you can show that the mailman was negligent, it is unlikely that USPS will pay for the vet bills. In most urban areas in Texas, pet owners are subject to local ordinances that require that they control their pets by keeping them in fenced areas or on a leash. The failure to comply with... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Federal Crimes and Criminal Law for Iowa on
Q: Is it legal to buy a fake ID and customise it for my dog as a joke? i think its funny but can i carry it in my wallet?

I know falsifying government documents is illegal but it's going to be like a picture of a dog weighing 9 pounds height 8 inches and all that. Dogs can't drive and obviously, a dog who was born in 2023 can't buy alcohol. So would it still be illegal if it is a joke? (the joke being... View More

Stephen Douglas Lombardi
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Jan 20, 2024

Let me see if I understand your question. You want to know if it is legal to lie to a state or federal agency by filling out an application by lying about who the applicant is, providing false answers to those questions and providing a false signature. Is that right?

And you’ve admitted...
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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Federal Crimes and Criminal Law for Iowa on
Q: Is it legal to buy a fake ID and customise it for my dog as a joke? i think its funny but can i carry it in my wallet?

I know falsifying government documents is illegal but it's going to be like a picture of a dog weighing 9 pounds height 8 inches and all that. Dogs can't drive and obviously, a dog who was born in 2023 can't buy alcohol. So would it still be illegal if it is a joke? (the joke being... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 21, 2024

Creating or possessing a fake ID, even for humorous purposes, is generally considered illegal in most jurisdictions, including Iowa. While the intention may be for a joke, the creation, purchase, or possession of fake identification documents can carry legal consequences, as it undermines the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for Arizona on
Q: Is it actually unlawful to take someone's dog home with you when you pick them up off the streets? I live in Arizona

Long story short I found a puppy wandering around a neighborhood no collar, I took it to get scanned but no chip. I basically hung out with this dog all day and eventually ended up talking to some neighbors. One of the neighbors told me they think the dog lives at the Corner House. So I ended up... View More

Christopher Millar
Christopher Millar
answered on Jan 19, 2024

Hello,

Arizona Theft requires "intent to deprive" a person of the property. Here, you did not commit theft because you were attempting to locate the owner to give them their property back. I believe you've done a good deed that would not be considered "theft." I...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for New York on
Q: Our son is 28. He moved out. He is the legal owner of our family dog. But now will not allow us to even see the dog.

We always had a very good relationship with our son. We were the primary care taker of the family dog for 10 years while our son lived with us. Our son moved out and is living with a person who hates her parents. All of a sudden now our son hates us. We understand he does not have to see us but... View More

Benjamin Z. Katz
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answered on Jan 13, 2024

If you are acknowledging your son is the legal owner and you do not wish to have permanent and sole possession of the dog, it would be difficult to convince a court to give you visitation rights. However, your burden would be to prove why it is in the dog's best interest for you to have... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Criminal Law and Personal Injury for California on
Q: will i get in trouble if i shoot a dog attacking me while walking with a bb gun in california at the age of 17?

would i get arrested or in serious legal trouble. I recently just got attacked by a dog as well as my dog and if i had a bb gun and shot the bb gun at the attacking dog and killed it would i be in serious trouble?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 11, 2024

In California, using a BB gun in self-defense against a dog attack can lead to complex legal situations, especially for a minor. The law typically allows for self-defense against an imminent threat, but the use of a BB gun, particularly if it results in the death of the dog, could raise legal... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Personal Injury and Landlord - Tenant for Florida on
Q: Can my husband be fired from his job if we sue his employer for a dog attack on her property?

I was attacked by a pitbull in the mobile home park I live in and my husband works for. If we attempt to make a claim, can his employer fire him? Can we be evicted? I've already been threatened by the landlord/employer. Due to the park managers negligence and lying claiming the dog was a... View More

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on Jan 9, 2024

Anyone can sue for anything but they won’t win in your fact pattern. A person fired from a job can sue based on a theory of “retaliatory discharge”. Additionally, a tenant can defend against an eviction based upon the defense of “retaliatory eviction.”

If you want to be sure that...
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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Personal Injury and Landlord - Tenant for Florida on
Q: Can my husband be fired from his job if we sue his employer for a dog attack on her property?

I was attacked by a pitbull in the mobile home park I live in and my husband works for. If we attempt to make a claim, can his employer fire him? Can we be evicted? I've already been threatened by the landlord/employer. Due to the park managers negligence and lying claiming the dog was a... View More

Roberto M. Vazquez
Roberto M. Vazquez
answered on Jan 9, 2024

I handle landlord/tenant and dog bite claims statewide.

As for the landlord/tenant aspect of your question, your lease should protect you. If you have a one-year lease and are in compliance with all of its terms, then the landlord has no justification in trying to evict you. Florida Statue...
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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Landlord - Tenant and Personal Injury for Florida on
Q: Can u landlord evict u for suing them over a dog attack they r liable for. Is there anything legally I can do to avoid

I was attacked by a pitbull in the mobile home park I live in and my husband works for. The landlord is liable and she has already threatened me. I want to sue for the lifelong injuries I've sustained and the horrendous pain I'm constantly in. I don't want to be evicted for something... View More

Gregory C. Maaswinkel
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Gregory C. Maaswinkel
answered on Jan 9, 2024

Short answer is No. The relationship between you and your landlord are governed by both Florida Law and the terms of your lease. You may also have a claim against the landlord and the owner of the dog (if it is someone other than the landlord) that attacked you for medical expenses, lost wages,... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Landlord - Tenant and Personal Injury for Florida on
Q: Can u landlord evict u for suing them over a dog attack they r liable for. Is there anything legally I can do to avoid

I was attacked by a pitbull in the mobile home park I live in and my husband works for. The landlord is liable and she has already threatened me. I want to sue for the lifelong injuries I've sustained and the horrendous pain I'm constantly in. I don't want to be evicted for something... View More

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on Jan 8, 2024

No, your landlord cannot threaten you with eviction because you have the right to sue him for your damages. If he did start an eviction case, you could defend with the “retaliatory eviction defense” under Florida law. You should retain counsel here in Central Florida for contingency fee... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: Yes I was wondering is there a list that your name gets on that no matter what it's about you can't get an attorney?

I have tried and told my story so many times now that it breaks me into remembering everything I have gone through and I don't even know that I can do it again I'll pay someone I don't need someone to work for free I just need help I'm so tired of being walked on and abused... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 8, 2024

I have practiced law for more than 30 years and am unaware of any such list.

If you are experiencing grief or anxiety over the death of your service dog and/or are experiencing PTSD, you may need the help of a qualified mental health professional. While seeking such help decades ago may...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: What if im letting my dog out and one charges my dog?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 8, 2024

If another dog charges at your dog while you are letting yours out, the situation can quickly become complicated, both practically and legally. Firstly, your immediate concern should be the safety of both dogs and any people nearby. If possible, try to separate the dogs without putting yourself at... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: if a person has her pitbul do his business in my planter , can she threaten me by having her dog attack me

....if I went out to tell the dog's owner to get the dog out of my planter

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 7, 2024

Under California law, it is illegal for anyone to threaten physical harm or violence against another person. If the dog owner threatens to have her dog attack you, this could be considered a criminal threat, which is a serious matter. The law protects individuals from being subjected to threats or... View More

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