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Oregon Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Oregon on
Q: I need to speak with a attorney about legalities of veterinarian laws in the state of Oregon.

Is it legal for anyone besides the person who took a dog into the vet to surrender the the rights of the dog over to the vet.

Jina Ly Clark
Jina Ly Clark
answered on Mar 15, 2022

The answer to this question is highly contextual. Since I don't know the full context, I cannot answer the question.

If your dog was brought to the vet in an emergency sort of situation and the vet treated the dog to save the dog's life, the vet would be entitled to the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Oregon on
Q: mom was visiting in PDX with her dog & openedcar door as we got home to let the dog in and he scared a runner and fell

our dog scared the runner and he tripped and fell on the sidewalk, he now wants our insurance information to cover costs.

Katherine Goodman
Katherine Goodman
answered on Feb 7, 2022

If you have not contacted your homeowner's insurance, contact your insurance company and allow them to speak with the person who was injured. This is one of the situations of why you pay for homeowner's insurance.

Good luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Animal / Dog Law for Oregon on
Q: The girl I bought my puppy from is trying to sue me when there is no reason.

I was supposed to purchase a dog late September from this girl. She was not an experienced breeder and lied about multiple factors with this purchase. She wants to sue me because I haven’t had the money when she made me bring the dog home way sooner than I was ready for. We signed a paper saying... View More

Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
answered on Nov 16, 2021

Apparently she is threatening to sue you for the money, so when you brought the dog home is totally irrelevant (and no, she did NOT "make" you bring it home early - you agreed to do so and need to take responsibility for your actions). Hopefully there is a writing specifying the sales... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Oregon on
Q: Should I contact a lawyer regarding a dog bite that has left me with over 15 stitches and glued punctures on my leg

I've never been in situation before and want to know if I should pursue the owners for my damaged leg

Jina Ly Clark
Jina Ly Clark
answered on Jun 28, 2021

Depending on the circumstances and where the dog bite took place, you may or may not be able to prove liability in relation to local laws. The second issue is weather there is insurance or a deep enough pocket to pay. Most home owners and business owners have insurance. If you were attacked by... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Oregon on
Q: I adopted a pregnant rescue dog recently. Does that mean I am also the legal owner of her puppies?

The rescue service is claiming that they are the legal owners of her puppies now that they are born and they plan to collect all of them and handle all adoptions including collecting fees. Our signed adoption contract states that she was pregnant at the time of adoption and does not mention the... View More

Jina Ly Clark
Jina Ly Clark
answered on May 5, 2021

I would review the adoption contract to see if it says anything about the puppies. If the contract says nothing about the unborn puppies and returning them, then I see no reason you should return the puppies.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Car Accidents for Oregon on
Q: My dog got out and was hit and brought into a vet, a rescue shelter paid for him but refuses to talk or let me pay

After I provided evidence that he was mine and even have told them I will pay for him, but they won’t give him back and refuse to talk to me or give me any information, is their anything I can do, I was paying someone who I trusted with my dog to watch him while I was out for 2 days and came back... View More

Jina Ly Clark
Jina Ly Clark
answered on Feb 15, 2021

It seems odd that they would not want to receive compensation for the vet bill, since you stated you are willing to pay. The next step would be to draft a letter with supporting documentation enclosed of ownership and offering to pay the vet bill and demanding the return of the dog. If that... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Oregon on
Q: Our neighbors dogs pulled my dog thru their poorly secured fence & killed her, what can I do to hold them liable for it?

My 14 yr old daughter was walking our small dogs by our neighbors fence and one of their Husky dogs stuck it’s head thru the slats that had poorly secured chicken wire on it and bent the wire out of the way and grabbed my dog by her head and pulled thru their fence and attacked and killed her.... View More

Jina Ly Clark
Jina Ly Clark
answered on Jan 26, 2021

If your neighbors are homeowners or have renters insurance they might be worth suing. To do a full analysis, an attorney would need to know the city and county, as local laws vary. If this occurred in a city, then there may be some laws about owners being liable if their dogs are at-large. One... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Civil Litigation, Criminal Law and Small Claims for Oregon on
Q: What are the laws regarding animal ownership when it pertains to not giving a dog back?

My sister-in-law moved into a house with some friends. She also brought her dog. She was kicked out a few weeks later. When asked when they would be home to pick up the dog, they said that they were not going to give the dog back. They had stolen a family member of our house. What are the options... View More

Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
answered on Jan 11, 2021

Stealing an animal is no different than stealing anything else - legally speaking. The real issue is likely to be how can you prove the dog is hers? Receipts? Vet appointments? Especially prior to her moving in? If you think you can prove the ownership issue, then you can first file a police... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Oregon on
Q: My ex won’t give my dog back the only proof I have that the vet is in my name and I have a bill of sale is that enough
Jina Ly Clark
Jina Ly Clark
answered on Oct 29, 2020

Assuming your ex has no evidence to the contrary, it should be enough. Based upon experience, I never underestimate my opponents like they tend to underestimate me. File it in small claims court and ask for injunctive relief for a return of the dog. If you pay an attorney hourly, the rate will... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Oregon on
Q: I live in oregon. I bought a german shepherd puppy. We did a dna test. Its a mix puppy. What are my options here?

the breeder said it was a purebred with no papers. We bought a dna test and turns out he is half german shepherd. He is five months.

Jina Ly Clark
Jina Ly Clark
answered on Sep 24, 2020

Theoretically, there is a breach of contract case assuming you have the evidence to prove the breach. If there is a contract stating you purchased a purebred for x price, then there is a breach of contract. Normally, the remedy is to return the dog and get your money back.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Oregon on
Q: What are my rights as a property owner? how do I evict someone who refuses to leave my propery?

I let a friend stay on my property in a tent on a temporary basis. I live on this property also, in a mobile home. There was never any contract so to speak, and he doesnt pay rent. Winter came and I allowed him to stay in a gutted out schoolbus that had a woodstove in it so that he wouldnt freeze.... View More

Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
answered on Sep 16, 2020

If the dog bit anyone, you should report that to your local county animal control. If the dog bit at the command of a human, you should report that to your local police or sheriff. As to getting rid of him, you need to review everything with a local landlord-tenant attorney. IF you can establish... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Oregon on
Q: my ex girlfriend stole my therapy dog How can I get him back?
Jina Ly Clark
Jina Ly Clark
answered on Sep 5, 2020

If you are on a budget, you can file a lawsuit in small claims court and request injunctive relief for the return of the dog.

If money is no object, you could hire an attorney to file a lawsuit for injunctive relief. But this would likely run into the thousands of dollars. If your ex...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Oregon on
Q: Breeder of $2k bulldog pup let pup go home with a buyer (ex’s cousin) & do payments. She had me babysit twice and ...

Upon picking the pup up from their home, the grandma (slow, overwhelmed loud) is there with the two twins & toddler. I didn’t know she would be spending so much time w/pup while the they work full days & many vacations a year. I don’t contract to sell to neglect & abusive... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Sep 1, 2020

So, repo (repossession) would require you to prove a breach of contract for nonpayment. You can file a lawsuit under a verbal agreement because that is as enforceable as a written contract. You just have the additional hurdle of proving the contract existed. This can easily be done given the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Oregon on
Q: Breeder of $2000 eng bulldog pup allowed pup to go home with a buyer and do payments. She had me babysit twice and ...

I recognized signs of minor animal abuse. I Do not want to continue the sale. Do I have the right to go take him? She still owes 500. And I will give her back the payments she has paid. We live in Salem,Oregon. We do not have a formal contract. I think this is time sensitive. Can anyone please... View More

Jina Ly Clark
Jina Ly Clark
answered on Aug 30, 2020

Assuming you keep the dog and issue a refund, what is the worst they buyer can legally do? The buyer could issue a demand under ORS 20.082 for breach of contract, wait 30 days, and sue for specific performance and demand attorney fees and costs and prevail. In this case, the buyer would get the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Oregon on
Q: My sister stole my dog (who is used as an emotional support animal)

my sister and I had a verbal agreement where I would become the final owner of her two dogs (she was not able to home them and didn't want them to be with my grandmother) i promised she could take them camping but they were becoming my children's emotional support animals so I would not... View More

Jina Ly Clark
Jina Ly Clark
answered on Aug 26, 2020

Theoretically, you would have a claim against your sister for the tort of conversion. You could have an attorney send a demand under OS 20.080 for a return of the dog and give her 30 days to return the dog without incurring attorney fees or costs. Then you could file a lawsuit for injunctive... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Oregon on
Q: My roommate threatened to shoot my dog.

My roommate is afraid of my 11 month old puppy who is mouthy but non-aggressive and my roommate is afraid of him. He threatened to kill the dog and told me he has guns in the house. The landlord is refusing to do anything. Is this considered outrageous in the extreme? I feel very threatened and... View More

Gregory L Abbott
Gregory L Abbott
answered on Aug 19, 2020

Maybe it would be outrageous; maybe not. Regardless, only a landlord can try to evict a tenant for outrageous acts, NOT a co-tenant. If you cannot work it out with your roommate, then your option is to terminate your tenancy and move. Do note that you need to provide your landlord with proper... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Oregon on
Q: My dog and my neighbors dog got into a fight. My do push his way under the fence I fixed the fence

My dog pushed his way under the fence a second time she took her dog to the vet he got 1 staple and wants us to pay the bill. I'm I leagaly bind to? They interagate my dog with broom sticks throwing appels using sticks to push at him where do I stand with this situation?

Jina Ly Clark
Jina Ly Clark
answered on Aug 10, 2020

If I am understanding the facts correctly, your dog trespassed onto the neighbor's property. You stated this was the 2nd time your dog had done this, so an argument could be made that you knew there was a risk of your dog trespassing and the issues should have been previously addressed, by... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Oregon on
Q: He is chipped. So if my neighbor takes him to the pound I can call the police? and then go get my cat back?
Jina Ly Clark
Jina Ly Clark
answered on Jul 17, 2020

The easiest thing to do is contact the pound and provide them documentation of the chip information that the animal is yours. Then go pick up your animal. I have had two of my pets returned this way.

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Oregon on
Q: Can my neighbor take my cat to the pound because he feels my cat is being a nuisance?
Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 16, 2020

It wouldn’t be right or legal for him to do so. But keep an eye on your cat because if your neighbor catches him and takes him to the pound, there will be little you can do to get him back, especially if he doesn’t have a collar or a microchip.

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Domestic Violence and Family Law for Oregon on
Q: How do I revise a restraining order to gain custody of my dog who is registered in the county and chip in my name.

The individual has a current misdemeanor and pending indictment taking effect for felony strangulation, menace, assaultin 4th degree and harassment.

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 16, 2020

If the person who has your dog is the person who is restrained from contacting you, you will have to get in Touch with the prosecutor or your victim’s advocate To see if you can do a civil assist to get your dog back.

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