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Texas Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: I was bit by a neighbor’s dog 3 days ago and had to get staples in my leg. Could I get compensated?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 5, 2023

Maybe depending on whether there is evidence the animal bit someone before and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

For example, many cities have a leash law that requires an owner to restrain a dog inside a fence or on a leash. If the dog was not so restrained and bit you, it may...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for Texas on
Q: My cat has suffered brain damage from anastasia at the vets office. Was having surgery to pull 2 teeth. Now he can't eve
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 27, 2023

If you think you can prove Anastasia caused your cat’s brain damage, call the vet office to get her full legal name and send her a demand letter for the full fair market value of your cat. Unless the cat is an unusually rare pure breed, it is likely that she or her employer will pay you the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: Is it pet abandonment if said to boarder I'll be paying end of Feb n picking up was told by cop it's a civil matter

Was told by boarding lady she was gonna turn me in for pet abandonment if I don't pay and pick up dog by Feb 14th I talked to a local cop here n he said if she's refusing to give u said dog until it's paid then it's not abandonment it is considered a civil matter she said I... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 5, 2023

Saying you will pay at the end of February isn’t pet abandonment.

Refusing to pick up your pet and pay for past boarding as requested probably gives the boarder the right to take your pet to the local animal shelter unless you have a written agreement that requires the boarder to keep...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Texas on
Q: My neighbors dogs came into my yard killed my male dog 2 years ago the owner wouldnt even pay me for the vet bill.

3 days ago the neighbor dogs 4 came in my house thru the dog door and killed my female dog what can i do

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 24, 2023

You can sue your neighbor for the fair market value of your dead dog.

A jury or judge will have to determine you and your neighbor’s proportionate share of responsibility most like based on each of your negligence.

If your neighbor is found to be more than 50% responsible, you...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: Can my mom sue her neighbor for shooting her dog that was on their property? Told them if they were to just use a bb gun

The day before her dog was playing with one of their chickens in the yard and she took the chicken home and asked they not shoot her dog if he was in their yard. She asked that if they did to just use a bb gun. They said they did not have a bb gun but they did have a pellet gun not a bb gun. She... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 22, 2023

Maybe.

But your mom had a duty to keep her dog in her own yard. So your mom could share some of the legal responsibility.

And your damages will be measured by the price or value of the pup.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: My neighbors dog broke the fence boarding our two yards, and impregnated my dog, can I sue for vet fees?

It’s clear by the damage on the fence that it was pushed from his side, also my dog is in heat which would explain why his unfixed male dog wanted to get through so badly. On top of this, my dog is a pure bread GSD which I had intentions on breeding, her puppy’s would have sold for a minimum of... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 21, 2023

Theoretically.

You and your neighbor share mutual responsibility for maintaining your common fence. Your neighbor is also responsible for keeping his dog properly restrained. You had superior knowledge that you dog was in heat and would therefore attract the attention of male dogs in the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: My dog was put to death at Dallas animal shelter. Even though I sent them 3 emails that they replied to. To let them

That it was my dog and that I was coming to get her

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 4, 2023

If you notified the animal shelter of your ownership, the shelter is required to continue to hold the dog for five days from the date it was impounded (not from the date you notified the shelter) for you to come and pick up your dog. As long as you appeared at the shelter with the proper funds to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: Our 9 month old dog was bred without our consent at dog boarding. What can we do? The dog had 9 puppies all from our dog

We boarded our 9 month old dog in September for a weekend (Thursday-Sunday). On Saturday, the day before we picked him up, the lady that owns the dog boarding told us that our dog jumped the fence and mated with her dog. (Our dog was only 9 months at the time and much smaller. He has never even... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Dec 17, 2022

If you can show the boarding facility was negligent in boarding your dog, you may be entitled to the monetary value of one pup.

You can file a lawsuit in small claims court if the value of one pup sired by your registered dog is less than $20,000.

The fact your dog jumped the fence...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Civil Rights for Texas on
Q: My story is longwinded. My dog in essence was STOLEN with the help of the local police department. What R my rights? TX.

The officer obligated me to hand over the dog. I took the woman who stole my dog to court and they found in my favor. The police bent over backwards FOR HER. She "alleges" she lost it and there is nothing I can do to her allegedly. She moved shortly after the incident which tells me she... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 23, 2022

It is not the mayor's job, or that of the city attorney, police department, or state attorney general, to help you enforce your judgment against the women who stole your dog.

It is your attorney's job, or your job if you are unwisely proceeding without an attorney, to file the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: I had these dogs for yrs. The dogs got out while I was packing to leave. They are my daughters dogs.Can I be charge

When dogs got out by being 73 my cousin pick me up.My neighbor found them took them to the pound. I have had the dogs for years. Can I be changed with abundance

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 21, 2022

I am unfamiliar with “abundance.”

Just go to the pound with their registration and vaccination cards and pick them up. There might be a small fine for allowing them to run at large and there might be additional fines if they aren’t registered and vaccinated. But this should not be a big deal.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: What do I do about a leaser leaving cattle on my property and not feeding them and abandoning his cattle.

I have asked several time for him to remove the cows by phone because the cows are getting out searching for food, but now he has blocked our numbers. Three other families are feeding these animals, but his excuse was that he had gout and couldn’t. I just need advice on how to get them off my... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 9, 2022

You should report the abandoned cattle to your local sheriff's office. If you just want the cattle gone, they will notify the owner and then impound the cattle if they are not removed within five days.

You may be entitled to a redemption price but, as you obviously do not handle...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: How can I show proof of ownership of a dog that I was gifted due to it being abused/neglected?

I work at my apartment building. There was a tenant who, since the day they moved in, had not paid rent or anything (august-October). Not sure how they were able to move-in in the first place. My managers filed for eviction. They went into his apartment and room to hand him the paperwork. They... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 3, 2022

If the dog belonged to the tenant, only the tenant had legal authority to give the dog away. Your manager had no legal right to tell you that you could keep the dog because the dog did not belong to your manager.

Your better argument is that the tenant abandoned the dog. If the tenant...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Domestic Violence and Small Claims for Texas on
Q: How can I obtain legal ownership of dogs shared with an ex-boyfriend who is withholding them to coerce me to stay?

In order to leave an emotionally abusive relationship, I had to leave without my dogs. The dogs were abandoned in our care by his sister 3 years ago. She told my ex that we could keep them or give them to her dad, who is disabled & unable to care for pets. Giving the dogs to the dad would... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Oct 26, 2022

Since the dogs were given to you both, you own them as tenants in common.

You can petition a court to partition them in kind or to have them sold and divide the proceeds equally between the two of you.

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Texas on
Q: Reservedrv lot@u s army Corpengineerslake park. my puppy got free from leashaawewalked, rangersgave me ticket&kickedoff

All in one hour of arrival to lakelot reserved paid for a week stay. Is this legal? First encounter ever over a puppy dog. What can I do to counter this ticket dog off leash united states code 327.11(a) . Mott park baedwell lake Texas. What's the law here. Case laws.rangers voided entire trip... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 11, 2024

Unfortunately, there are many irresponsible pet owners who refuse to abide by leash laws which require owners to keep their dogs, cats, and other pets caged, penned, or on a leash not longer than six feet in public inclujding in recreation areas that are not specifically designated otherwise (like... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: Can the vet clinic be held responsible if they neglected to listen when I asked to muzzle dog that led to a dog bite

I asked and told about 4 people in the room my dog needed to be muzzled before he went to be examined. I asked Atleast two times and they did not take me seriously and said he would be muzzled before the exam. The vet tech kneeled down to take my dogs temperature and because she was so close to... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 23, 2024

Yes, if the vet tech sues you, you can name the clinic as a responsible third party. The trier of fact would then have to decide the proportionate degree of fault for the vet tech's between you and the clinic.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: Vet clinic stepped on our dog killing it. Can they be held accountable for pain and suffering and cost of dog?

Vet clinic boarded our dog and notified us that one of their workers stepped on the dog in his duties and the dog died. They admitted it in the dogs record of file. The story has changed from the initial notification that they failed their processes. Can they be held accountable for pain and... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Aug 10, 2023

Pain and suffering is generally not compensable in this type of case. But you can recover the fair market value of the dog at the time of death.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Animal / Dog Law and Domestic Violence for Texas on
Q: How do I get my service animal back from my ex who stole her from me after having me arrested and restraining order

He has been putting his hands on me for a yr and he kidnapped my service dog after he had me arrested for defending myself for the first time ever she is registered to me I have had her 6yrs I have only been with him a yr

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jun 17, 2023

Send a letter demanding the return of your dog, then file a suit for replevin in a justice of the peace court where your ex lives

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: If the apartment complex added unauthorized pet fees, after I gave her the survice pet certificate then added late fees

Because I was waiting for them to take off the unauthorized pet fees before I could pay the rent then took off the pet fees but not the late fees. But the rent would have been paid had they not added unauthorized charges do I have to pay the late fees?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on May 19, 2023

As long as you timely paid your rent minus the unauthorized pet fee, you should not owe any late fee.

On the other hand, if you didn’t timely pay your rent because of the additional unauthorized pet fee, you should still owe the late fee because you did not pay the undisputed amount owed on time.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: Hi my neighbor is feeding my dog through the fence. They are putting food next to the fence so my dog digs and claws.

What can I do about this. I have my dog on video trying to get to it through the fence and also all the food on the other side of the fence.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on May 9, 2023

Talk to your neighbor and ask them to stop.

If they refuse, you can build a tall sturdy opaque fence and plant shrubs with thorns and thick roots along the property line or build a dog run on the opposite side of your yard.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: I’m trying to check into my hotel but was denied access because I have a service dog. They’re making her stay in the car

If I brought her in, they would charge me $250 nonrefundable she can’t stay in the car she needs to be with me.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 27, 2023

If the dog is a registered service dog (like a seeing eye dog) and not an emotional support animal (ESA), the hotel is in violation of the ADA. As a disabled person, you can likely sue the hotel for disability discrimination.

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