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Wisconsin Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Wisconsin on
Q: A puppy breeder sold us a puppy with parvo that we had to put down within 24 hours of purchase because it was so sick.

She had us sign a contract basically removing all liability from her. Could we win a small claims case for her knowing the puppy was very sick despite her contract? She said it got sick that same day we picked her up. However, the vet that put her down said her parvo was so advanced, she's... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 14, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear about your experience with the puppy breeder and the tragic loss of your puppy. Dealing with a situation like this is heartbreaking.

Regarding your legal options, even though you signed a contract that attempts to remove liability from the breeder, you may still...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Car Accidents for Wisconsin on
Q: Am I liable to vehicle damages if someone runs over my dog and damages their car?

While visiting family, upon arrival, my dog escaped the car and was run over by a motor vehicle. Now the vehicle owner is trying to fault me for over $2,000 in damages to their vehicle. Am I liable for this? There is no police report-the police were called and responded, however since the driver... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 8, 2021

A Wisconsin attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for two weeks. You could look into whether a local attorney would offer you a brief consult to explore your best defenses, if any exist. I'm glad your dog survived; I'm very sorry that someone would come after you for the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Animal / Dog Law for Wisconsin on
Q: my dog ran in front of a biker and he hit her. I am now being sued, and it says she ran into him, knocking him over

The biker ran into my dog and kind of crumpled up against his handle bars and slowly almost sat on the ground. The letter from his attorney states he fractured his clavicle, but he and his wife were concerned after he fell because his doctor had just given him the ok to ride a bike again after... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 23, 2020

You need to speak to a local attorney since you don’t have an insurance carrier to fight for you.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Wisconsin on
Q: I left my dog 4 a week w/a dog sitting .. He got rid of my dog while i was gone w/o my concent..what can i do
Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 10, 2020

You will have to sue the dog sitter. But it is unlikely you will get your dog back. Your recovery will probably only be the value of your dog.

1 Answer | Asked in Agricultural Law and Animal / Dog Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Why aren't there any federal laws that protect all animals?

I find it troubling that the states can choose what is defined as an "animal" and what is considered a crime against them. Why aren't there any federal laws that protect all animals? The AWA does not count. Doing research, I've found that all states have animal abuse laws, but... View More

Emmanuel Muwonge
Emmanuel Muwonge
answered on Feb 28, 2018

The Act you took issue with was not intended to regulate how animals are used for research purposes, but only to set standards for how they are obtained and maintained at a facility

APHIS's Animal Care (AC) program oversees the AWA, which includes about 10,300 facilities. These AC...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Wisconsin on
Q: My puppy was taken from the vet by the person I bought him from and she won't give him back.

I bought him w/o signing a breeders contract. I took him to an emergency vet. He had a bowel obstruction. They wanted too much money. The person I got him from volunteered to take him to her vet for care and I could pay her on Friday. She said he was having surgery. Didn't happen he... View More

Emmanuel Muwonge
Emmanuel Muwonge
answered on Feb 20, 2018

It is not clear to me where your issues stem from as there are several individuals you have been transacting business with. What is clear to me is that you do not have paperwork suggesting or documenting that you actually own the animal. As such, the veterinarian is going by what the apparent owner... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Wisconsin on
Q: If I surrender my dog will I have to pay citation we don't have the money?

My dog got out over a year ago we got a warning he got out again today and I was issued a citation

Emmanuel Muwonge
Emmanuel Muwonge
answered on Feb 7, 2018

What did the citation say? If you were cited because your dog was off the premises which offense you were previously warned would result in a citation if there were future violations, you need to retain someone who practices in the area about such matters so that they may, in turn, represent you.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Animal / Dog Law for Wisconsin on
Q: My neighbor threatened that if " you dont take care of your i cat i will, and you know what that means."

My cat is an outside cat, I live in the country. He said if I don't take it to get neutered, that he will take him to the humane society or get rid of him for me. Cat has been missing for a week?

Stephen Pleck Johnson
Stephen Pleck Johnson
answered on Dec 22, 2017

Check with the humane society. Proof of criminal damage to property or abusing animals needs some foundation. The threat is probably, at most disorderly conduct. Proof he did something criminal is next. An at large animal may be in violation of township ordinances. Check with the Clerk. My... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death and Criminal Law for Wisconsin on
Q: If I train a dog to shoot a gun and it kills someone will I be held responsible

I hypothetically trained my dog to shoot a gun and he killed someone am I in trouble or is my dog in trouble

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Dec 12, 2017

Both of you. Big trouble. Don't even think about it. If it did happen you need to speak with an attorney who handles criminal defense of homide cases.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Animal / Dog Law for Wisconsin on
Q: We are re-homing a dog with a bite history. Can we be held liable if he bites someone under the new owner's care?

Our dog has bitten twice when someone entered our home unexpectedly. Because of this we don't want to keep him as we have many visitors. We know a guy who really wants him and says he has experience working with this behavior. We would prefer to re-home the dog rather than euthanize. We have... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jul 18, 2017

No, as long as you told the new owner it's on him.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for Wisconsin on
Q: Person bitten by a dog who is hired to take care of them

A person is hired to take care of dogs at a breeders place. This person is bitten breaking up a dog fight due to the persons negligence of running dogs together that were known alphas. Does the person have a lawsuit. went to emergency room for stitches.

Emmanuel Muwonge
Emmanuel Muwonge
answered on Nov 26, 2016

If we assume you were bitten during the course of your employment, your exclusive remedy as an employee injured during the course of your employment is a claim pursuant to the Workers Compensation laws of Wisconsin. If your employer has no Workers Compensation coverage, you may be able to pursue a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Wrongful Death and Small Claims for Wisconsin on
Q: Roommate put my dogs outside alone and one escaped and got hit by a car. Can I hold her accountable for the vet bill?

My roommate decided to let my dogs out while I was at work. Normally I keep them crated while I am gone. Since my dogs are familiar with her I don't mind that she plays with them from time to time but I never asked as a roommate that she has to let them out daily. Since she has lost both of my... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jul 6, 2016

You could. Not sure you would win as the standard is also if her conduct is reasonable. If it's a fenced in yard, unless they've escaped before it might seem reasonable to let them out and do something in the vicinity.

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