Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
Indiana Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Car Accidents for Indiana on
Q: My dog was hit by a car New Years Eve. He just brought the bill to us for damage to his bumper. Are we liable?

Someone let both my neighbors and our dogs out the same night. We discovered they were missing the gate open no later than 10 minutes. Dogs have seldom gotten lose in 10 years. The man who hit our dog never came to us, but another neighbor took him to the emergency vet, and they ran his chip and... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Feb 7, 2019

See if your homeowners will pay as a casualty loss. Depending on your deductible that may not be worth it. Did you report it to the police? Many policies require it.

If the other guy sues you for the bumper it's not your fault if the dogs were set loose.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: My son lives with me and bought a dog. Can he sue me if I get rid of the dog

Son does not take care of the dog which is why I want to give to a loving family

Alexander Florian Steciuch
Alexander Florian Steciuch
answered on Feb 7, 2019

Yes, he can. It is not your dog. If you believe that the dog is being abused or neglected you can report him to the appropriate local or county authorities and they can remove the dog.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: Can I press charges against the owner of some loose dogs that came on to my property and killed my rabbit in the hutch?

These dogs were stated as being lost by the owner when the attack occurred. However, just a few days later my brother saw the dogs again after the owner stated that they were home. Also, some of the neighbors of the dogs complained saying that the owners do not control their dogs and frequently let... View More

Alexander Florian Steciuch
Alexander Florian Steciuch
answered on Jan 22, 2019

Yes, you can. Owners are responsible for the actions of their animals. You should consult with an attorney in your area who handles animal law or tort claims.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: If a dog comes onto my property, attacks my dog and then flees,can I shoot the dog the next time I see it on my property

I saw the dog attack my dog and then run off when I yelled, so there is no question about what dog attacked my dog. The attacking dog belongs to my neighbor.

Alexander Florian Steciuch
Alexander Florian Steciuch
answered on Jan 14, 2019

There is no straightforward answer to this question. Shooting a dog is generally considered animal cruelty. If you are being attacked by the dog or the dog is attacking another person, you may be justified in shooting the dog. It is a defense to a criminal charge of animal cruelty to shoot the dog... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: What happens if someone steals someone else's dog?

Im pretty sure my neighbor stole one of my dogs last night, I'm working on getting proof, but I need to know if there is anything I can do about it.

Alexander Florian Steciuch
Alexander Florian Steciuch
answered on Jan 8, 2019

Contact the police ASAP and report your dog stolen. If you find out that your dog was not stolen and has simply run away, be sure to update the police and inform them that you found your dog. If you have evidence that it was your neighbor (video recording of them committing the crime, picture of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: Can I get my dog back after I haven't had him since June 2017?

I gave him to a friend of my family and told her that if she ever didn't want him anymore that I wanted him back if it was possible. In October of 2018 she asked if I wanted him back. Her boyfriend gave him to someone else before I could give her an answer. The day after Christmas I get a call... View More

Alexander Florian Steciuch
Alexander Florian Steciuch
answered on Jan 8, 2019

Once you gave up your dog to your friend, you effectively transferred ownership of the dog to someone else. You never intended to receive the dog back. Legally your friend owned the dog and could do with it whatever she liked at that point.

It is still possible for you to get the dog back...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: If a pet is left with you how long is it before that pet is legally yours?

I was asked to care for a pet temporarily but her place of living won't allow it so I have him. Things went south and I still have him. How long does it take before he's legally mine. Asking because I love this dog and if she's not going to get him back I want to keep him.

Alexander Florian Steciuch
Alexander Florian Steciuch
answered on Nov 28, 2018

There is no set time limit where an animal becomes your property. The animal can legally become yours if the animal is abandoned. At that point the animal has no owner and anyone can claim it. However, in order for personal property like an animal to be considered abandoned there must be intent on... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law, Animal / Dog Law and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Indiana on
Q: Who to best seek help from concerning someone with mental health problems who is about to loose their home

metal health issues. Has gone through all her money. Own her own home but we do not believe paying any taxes. she has a bird and dog she does not take care of. Lives with poop and pee everywhere. will not believe anything we tell her concening her finances. when they kick her out of her house... View More

Kevin E. Flynn
PREMIUM
Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Oct 30, 2018

I am sorry to hear of your situation. Your question was listed for patents (inventions). You may have meant paRents but that is not a category.

You may want to post the same question under Family law or Elder law as this is a question of intervening when a family member may not be...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: Neighbor shot my domesticated cat-says she was trying to get in his baby bunnies cage--Never came and told me this b4

She was a stray 4 years ago--and had kittens on that property which was abandoned at the time---she has always gone between my property and his but stayed in this general area--- I had domesticated her -she does not like to be penned up for long.. I had gotten her spade and 3 yrs rabies shot--and... View More

Andrew L. Bennett
PREMIUM
Andrew L. Bennett
answered on Oct 9, 2018

If the police won't write up a report about the incident or investigate by talking to him, you should call the prosecutors office to see if they would do a citizen intake.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Indiana on
Q: Can a landlord refuse to renew a lease because now they choose not to allow my dog? I have been renting for 3 years now

Recently my landlord would not fix my smoke alarms my ceilings are 12ft tall and she said to just take out the batteries so it would stop beeping. So now she states I have to get rid of my dog because he "smells" which is false. The hall smells because the carpets are old.

Alexander Florian Steciuch
Alexander Florian Steciuch
answered on Sep 25, 2018

Your landlord can refuse to renew your lease for just about any reason as long as it is not illegal. Not wanting to rent to someone with a dog is a legal reason to not renew a lease agreement.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: Stolen pet returned home on own. Who has custody?

4 months ago my kids dog was taken from my back yard. Today she ran up to our front door barking to be let in. Just like the past. She still answers to her name and has all the same markings. I made facebook posts and kept an eye out on my side of town. I asked people when they posted lost... View More

Sounds that you actually answered your own question. If the pet was stolen, the people who stole the pet did not have legal custody of the pet. It was a stolen pet, owned by your family. You family is rightful owner of the pet, and your family has custody of the pet. If you haven 't done... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Gaming for Indiana on
Q: My mom has dogs and they peed on my game systems and it fried them I was wanting to know if I could press charges on her

First, you cannot "press charges," only the local prosecutor can "press charges." You do have a civil case of "conversion" against the dogs. However, that is not going to help you very much. There is no question that you are upset; however, you have few legal... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: If someone stole my dog kept her for 5 days, then returned her w/ a throat infection & pregnant,can I take legal action

She was stolen off our back yard. They have a lot of other dogs in their home, before she was stolen she had never had intimate contact with any other male dogs. She is only a year old and beautiful so we believe they were trying to breed her since she is also an expensive breed of dog.

Alexander Florian Steciuch
Alexander Florian Steciuch
answered on Sep 10, 2018

Yes, you can sue them in civil litigation for the theft, as well as the damage suffered to your property (the dog), including vet costs, the cost of the pregnancy and possibly even the cost of raising the pups. You should consult with an attorney in your area who handles civil litigation and animal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: I found a dog that was in the middle of a highway and I took her home and fed and bathed her. I found the owner through

her neighbor and she told him I could have her. Do I need her to sign something saying she gives the dog to me? So that she does not say I took the dog?

Alexander Florian Steciuch
Alexander Florian Steciuch
answered on Aug 24, 2018

You absolutely should have the original owner sign a transfer over to you, otherwise the owner could come back later and claim ownership of the dog. Additionally many vets will refuse to treat animals if you do not have proper paperwork showing ownership.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: Neighbors aggressive unrestrained dogs attacked my cat, what can I do?

I have spoken to these neighbors twice before about these dogs and their aggressive behavior and have asked them to keep them restrained, they still keep letting them roam free. On 8/06/2018 these dogs came into my yard and attacked and injured one of my cats. I want to know what legal action I... View More

Alexander Florian Steciuch
Alexander Florian Steciuch
answered on Aug 7, 2018

First step would be reporting the aggressive dogs to whatever your local version of animal control is, whether that is at a local or county level. Some counties require animal attacks to be reported.

Second you may be looking at a small claims case assuming that the damages are under...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: How can I get charged with animal cruelty foran dog that wasnt mines
Alexander Florian Steciuch
Alexander Florian Steciuch
answered on Jul 3, 2018

Ownership of an animal is not an element of the crime of animal cruelty. That's why.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: Can others file to have your dog put down with a petition. The dog is not vicious and has no bite history, she just bark

My neighbors said they are fed up with my moms dog barking on the occasion and that they are going to have members of the home owner association sign a petition asking to put the dog down. What I'm wondering is if they can ACTUALLY do that since the dog is not vicious, has never bit anyone,... View More

Alexander Florian Steciuch
Alexander Florian Steciuch
answered on Apr 24, 2018

They could certainly try. I'm not sure when you say 'petition' you mean one to a court or one that is just collecting signatures.

Generally county law governs animal control and animal laws when it comes to animals that have to be put down. That's usually only after an...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: My dog is micro chipped to me a shelter is telling me I have to readopt my dog. I have his papers I owned him 14 yrs

He haa been missing for 19 days today

Alexander Florian Steciuch
Alexander Florian Steciuch
answered on Mar 20, 2018

Absent some laws in the Indianapolis area (which is where Justia is telling me you are posting from), I am not familiar with any laws that would cause you to have to readopt your dog if it had been missing for a while.

The more likely scenario that I can think is that the shelter is...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: If someone leaves their dog at your house after they move and you take care of it for over a month is it yours?
Alexander Florian Steciuch
Alexander Florian Steciuch
answered on Mar 9, 2018

No, not unless you could prove that they intentionally abandoned the dog and gave up ownership.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: What documentation is legally required for me to have my medically proven, physician documented emotional support animal

Physician documentation that he is definitely my esa.

Alexander Florian Steciuch
Alexander Florian Steciuch
answered on Mar 7, 2018

None. Emotional support animals are not recognized under Indiana law or the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). Businesses and other organizations are not legally required to allow emotional support animals onto their premises, allow them to accompany their owners or accommodate them.... View More

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.