answered on Dec 23, 2016
You might decide to make a written contract with a trusted friend for such a scenario with very clear terms including payment for care, term of care, terms for recollecting the pet, etc. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice... View More 
I pay for the dog's insurance, bring him to the vet and the groomers, and I feed him and buy his medicine and food. My parents just provide the roof over his head. Do I have the right to full custody of him?
answered on Dec 23, 2016
Pets are personal property, and it sounds like this one belongs to you. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any predictions, guarantees, or warranties; or create... View More
I am looking into adopting a dog, and have gotten my landlord's permission to do so, albeit with some restrictions. His homeowners insurance company has blacklisted several breeds, including pit bulls. The dog I am interested in rescuing is labeled as a lab mix, and it is a puppy, so it is... View More
answered on Dec 23, 2016
Better safe than sorry: avoid adopting a dog that might violate your landlord's terms and insurance requirements. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any... View More
As the question asks, I've helped to take care of them for 45 days without any financial benefit. Now one is pretty healthy but another is sick. The hospital says it's because of starvation. I didn't starve him on purpose and I'm not a professional dog sitter. I just want to... View More
answered on Dec 23, 2016
It depends on the terms of your agreement with your friend, and also why the animal is sick (your fault or an underlying condition). If you were just doing your friend a favor (no promises made), and if you took reasonable good care of the pet and yet the pet had a natural malady which stymied its... View More
I registered and microchipped her after trying to contact him for 4 months..he even told me i can keep her (later said it was a joke) i have no.proof of that text since its been 2 yrs but when he first gave me the dog he also gave me her medical records and said he will help with the expenses..he... View More
answered on Dec 23, 2016
It sounds like he abandoned the dog and thereby seemingly relinquished ownership in so doing, especially under the circumstances you describe. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute... View More
The dog also has a microchip registered to me. He no longer is in the state of Massachusetts. However I know his location. Do I have the legal course do you get him back
answered on Dec 23, 2016
You can report this matter to the police as a theft and/or you can sue the thief for conversion seeking replevin in civil court. If you want to take the dog back, make sure the dog actually belongs to you and was stolen (not the other way around), make sure to not break any laws in taking your dog... View More
We have no written agreement because I never thought he would do this to me. He lets anyone just take her. I've seen her being walked off leash which scares me because she will get hit by a car if she sees a squirrel, rabbit etc. I also heard they were letting her drink beer etc. I don't... View More
answered on Dec 23, 2016
If someone steals your property, you can take it back without resorting to force or unlawful methods (e.g., no trespass, assault, etc.), but make sure you speak with a lawyer about how to do this properly. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me... View More
I signed the papers for my dog 4 years ago and have pretty much paid for everything. I have all my credit card statements. He just left and we haven't seen our dog. We had a criminal court hearing which he didn't show up to and now another one is scheduled for 12/16. I have been told... View More
answered on Dec 23, 2016
Once you give someone a gift, it belongs to the recipient. If someone else takes it unlawfully, that is criminal theft, regardless of whether you lived together or not. If the police are too lazy to handle it, file a complaint with the police dept. and contact the DA directly about the crime. You... View More
We were recently offered a "free dog" by a family who adopted him from an ASPCA shelter in Massachusetts, but can no longer keep him. My aunt claims that the current owner cannot legally give the dog away to anyone, and that he must be turned back over to the shelter they adopted him... View More
answered on Dec 23, 2016
It's important to look at the agreements made between the owners and the ASPCA. Generally, if you own a piece of personal property, which is how the law typically looks at pets, you can give it away if you want to another person, even if you adopted it (assuming you're not giving it to a... View More
answered on Dec 15, 2016
A dog is considered personal property, and ownership is based on the same rules that would apply to any item of personal property. You would have to prove ownership via receipts of purchase, proof of payment or adoption, etc. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can... View More
answered on Dec 15, 2016
That sounds like a case of conversion of personal property (pets are personal property in the law's eyes) and/or breach of contract against the pet sitter. You'd have to file an injunction to invalidate the sale and get your bunny back! The best first step is an Initial Consultation with... View More
MY room mate keeps tossing my cat outside because she is in heat and can't stand listening to her moan. What can I do about this? My cat is an indoor cat and I live on a busy street where she could easily get killed.
answered on Dec 15, 2016
Looks like you're both being a nuisance to each other, each act potentially violating any tenancy agreement you made. Of course if your cat is injured or killed, that adds a claim for damages for conversion of personal property (pets are property in the law's eyes) to what your roomie may... View More
Can she do this
answered on Dec 12, 2016
There would have to be an emergency situation where that could be plausibly permissible. For example, if the dog is a danger to others, animal control is called, and the dog attacks them. Then I can see where they might legally choose to kill the dog to protect themselves or others. The best first... View More
answered on Dec 1, 2016
Small claims court may be a good option. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute legal advice nor does it create any Attorney-Client relationship.
The animal control has taken the dog and has said the attorney general's office would make the final decision. What does the law say, who gets to keep an animal, in Rhode Island?
answered on May 19, 2014
In Rhode Island, if a dog's certification of registration is in the name of one person, there's a presumption that that person is the owner. That presumption can, in some cases, be overcome by other evidence. For example, there might be evidence of a gift. Other factors are ownership of... View More
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