Q: About to break up with girlfriend, what documents do I need to keep the dog?
She doesn't take care of him and threatens police intervention. He was a stray so she took him to vet for rabbies shot and then home. I have paid hundreds in vet bills since. She hardly ever walks him and neglects to fill the food/water bowls. she claims he is in her name but never got a Denver licence tag for him. What can I do to ensure he stays with me?
A: Animals are property, so the best thing is to have title (license) the dog. Titling is not absolute, so having evidence of paying for the dog's food and vet bills are also helpful. If your ex want to dispute ownership, she can by filing suit in small claims court. Absent a signed agreement by your ex that cedes ownership, there is no magic documentation that automatically grants you ownership, so you should start compiling evidence of ownership and care. As for the police, they generally will not cease property without a court order (they can if the dog is stolen, but the domestic relationship raises doubts about theft over a dispute of ownership). You probably don't need an attorney (even for small claims), but you may want to consider hiring an attorney.
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