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Questions Answered by Kristina M. Bergsten
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 Oklahoma on
Q: My dog was left at dog resort the resort lost him and he was hit by car. The insurance is offering half bills?

The pet resort lost my dog and as a result my dog was hit by a car. This required an ER visit and surgery in order to save his life. The medical visits are not done yet but will probably be about 9000. The pet resorts insurance is only offering me 5500, leaving me to pay the rest of the medical... View More

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

You will likely need to speak to a local animal attorney to write what’s called a demand letter to ask the boarding facility to reimburse you for all the bills. You will need to gather all your bills and have them sent to the insurance company for them to reimburse you for everything. They are... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: Outdoor dogs must have food water shelter but isn't there a regulation now that says they can only be outside for1hr?
Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 12, 2020

Unfortunately, no, there is not. People can more or less treat their dogs like trash under the Denver municipal code. Contact your city representative to get the law changed.

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: An ex girl friend is trying to keep a dog I paid for she says I gave to her and I have bi polar episodes she know about.

We both have text and emails going back and forth changing our minds.I fell trick because she knew my manic depression

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 12, 2020

If you can't work something out, one of you will have to sue in court for possession.

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: Roommate asked myself and the third housemate for permission to get a husky puppy. We said no. She got the dog anyway.

She works 10-12 hours a day, 5-7 days a week, and will not have time to properly care for, nor train the animal. She has been told she has 48 hours to get rid of the animal. Both myself and the third housemate are allergic to dogs and do not wish to care for the animal. If she refuses to get rid of... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 12, 2020

No, you cannot remove or euthanize or do anything to the animal. You have absolutely zero authority to do anything to the animal. Try evicting the roommate, that is a more humane and normal part of life than killing someone else's dog. Or, you could also always move out, too.

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: My ex and I recently broke up. With out my knowledge, she removed one of my dog from my apartment, and won’t return him.

I have filled for replevin in court. I have his adoption papers, Neuter and rabies certificates and microchip registration all in my name In retaliation for the replevin she has filed for a temporary restraining order stating I pushed her. I only want my dog back. Is there anything else I can do?

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 12, 2020

You're doing everything you can at the moment!

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Land Use & Zoning for Colorado on
Q: Looking to buy land and raise a few animals. Old covenants forbid it but are no longer enforced!

We are looking to buy 3.25 acres of land in la plata county Colorado. The covenants forbid chickens and cows but are from the 1970s and no longer enforced. We want to raise a few animals for personal use. Is there a way to protect ourselves moving forward? If someone decides to now enforce these... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 12, 2020

You will have to appeal to your local zoning board to get the property rezoned. I would recommend consulting with a real estate attorney

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3 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: My dad recently passed away. His gf has his/my dog. Is there a way to get him back?

My dad adopted Sky as a Christmas present for my sister and I when we were younger. Now the dog is with his gf and I fear she won’t agree to give him back in a civil manner.

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 12, 2020

You can sue the girlfriend in replevin if she won't agree to give the dog back; your dad will likely need to be a named plaintiff in the lawsuit. Try calling the police and see if they will help. They usually don't, but they might be able to negotiate the dog's release for you.

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: helping ex&kids by letting them stay at my home let my dog of 4yrs stay w kids found out from daughter ex gave dog away!

police animal control said theres nothing they can do ! Have receipts of adoption ,food ,vet care,kenneling and fact that I raised him since a pup! Was helping ex out by letting her and kids stay in my home and she had even bought a cat for company I would have been fine if dog went to oregon and... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Oct 7, 2020

You will need to sue this person in replevin in county court. It is best to do this sooner, rather than later. Report the dog as missing to the chip company, too. You might also want to try calling code enforcement (they handle animal related calls in Englewood) rather than the police.

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I bred my male dog with my neighbors female. They agreed to give me the pup of my choice. Now they refuse

I've paid money out of my pocket for the whole littter not just mine. I also helped the female give birth.

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Oct 6, 2020

You can take them to court to sue for the (value of) the puppy of your choice, especially if the puppy came with breeding rights. Or, you can hire a local attorney to write a letter to try to get the pup of your choice - or face the lawsuit.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Iowa on
Q: My buddy’s dad bought an xxl pit bull off a guy without receiving paperwork and now the guy wants him back?

The pit bull was a couple months old at the time and extremely starved with a stomach full of rope that took 4000$ surgery to remove it, since then almost a year later he is a beast of a dog in a happy home that weighs 150+ pounds and now the neglectful owner he bought him off says he wants the dog... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Oct 1, 2020

If your buddy's dad can prove he paid for the dog (text messages, emails, social media messages + proof of payment -- if it was cash, he'll need the cash withdrawal receipt), then the police shouldn't get involved. The police likely won't get involved, anyway, especially if your... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for California on
Q: Is it against the law in CA for a neighbor to take our cat days at a time?

these crazy neighbors have been holding our cat hostage inside for days at a time. They have been positive for corona virus and I'm 7 months pregnant. I tried calling police but they said a cat isn't considered property. Its causing me a lot of stress. I though pets were property, isnt this thef?

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Sep 8, 2020

The police are clearly just being lazy in this situation. You can call the chief and file a complaint against the officers. The squeaky wheel gets oiled the most!

To answer your question, yes, animals (cats and dogs and cows, pigs, birds, all animals, etc.) are considered property. So, the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Tennessee on
Q: Rescue dog kills neighbors fighting chickens our dog is now dead. They want to be reimbursed

Rescued a dog from person on Facebook, stated the owner of the dog never came back for him. Seemed very sweet kind dog we own 4 cats + 2 other dogs everyone got along. In the middle of the night dogs got out went to the neighbor's house killed and maimed chickens and now they want an... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Sep 3, 2020

I am not sure I understand the situation. Did your dog die from injuries from the chickens? Fighting chickens (I'm assuming you mean roosters - I've never heard of fighting chickens) are illegal, as far as I am aware, so I am not sure they would count as livestock, let alone be... View More

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
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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 Connecticut on
Q: Dog licensed in Ct , brought to NY by exboyfriend after an argument. He tells me the dog cannot travel to Ct

He tells me the dog cannot travel across state lines. Is this the law?

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

No. As long as they are not being transported for commercial purposes, they do not need a permit for transport. They should have all their shots prior to transport if they are a family dog, but that's generally the only requirement.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana on
Q: Can I shoot my dog on my own land if it has attacked me several times in the past month? Causing stitches and is 160

Pounds and cannot he close enough to be uthinizex

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Aug 5, 2020

Call animal control or a local shelter to have them remove the dog. They can handle that sort of call and treat your dog humanely.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Georgia on
Q: What laws contain dogs killing a goat but not being a violent dog?

My dog killed the neighbors goat. She’s not aggressive towards people or other animals.

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 28, 2020

I don't really understand the question. Killing a goat is a destruction of property issue, so that may or may not be criminal. Whereas issues of vicious/aggressive/dangerous dogs are criminal. You might just be civilly liable for the value of the goat. Although, in some jurisdictions,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Colorado on
Q: My ex and I adopted a dog, I am on the adoption papers but she paid for it. I am able to obtain my dog back legally?
Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 27, 2020

Yes, whoever's name is on the adoption/purchase paperwork is the legal owner of the dog.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for North Carolina on
Q: In Raleigh, NC, can I gift someone a 6 month old puppy that was originally gifted to me when it was 7 weeks old?

The puppy is up to date on vaccinations, rabies shot, and heartworm and ticks meds. It is a mixed breed, but I am not sure of the exact mix and the vet could not tell me. I highly believe he is mixed with American pit bull.

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 27, 2020

There's no reason why you can't give a dog away to another good home. If there are restrictions on breeds where the person who is going to accept the dog lives, that would be their responsibility/liability. But, because the dog ends up being the victim in those sorts of situations, it... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Virginia on
Q: Good afternoon, While ago my wife and I purchases two puppies for 3,800, after 10 days one of them died.
Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 24, 2020

Probably had Parvo or distemper. You should take the other dog to the vet immediately to make sure it isn’t sick, too. You might be able to sue the seller, but there’s a lot more information needed to say whether or not you can file a lawsuit.

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