Asked in Domestic Violence and Landlord - Tenant for California

Q: Former landlords/roommates physically attacked me twice. They refuse to return my 2 Cats and disposed of my belongings.

They showed up at my work, caused a scene & I subsequently was let go They disposed of ALL of my personal belongings within a few days (including my deceased husband's ashes). They agreed to care for my cats until I got settled in a new place. They refused to communicate except to harass & make threats. All I want is my cats back. They say they gave them away but I think they may still have them. I have offered to pay them for the food and litter as well as for their efforts to care for them. The cats are my babies. The Sheriff told me not to go back for my own safety. Due to all if this I was homeless for a time but am now working and have a home again. I have been trying to get my kitties back for 6 months. In the beginning of all this, they promised they would not give away or surrender my cats to SPCA and they would care for them as long as was necessary for me to secure a new home. I have attempted to communicate by phone, email and text to no avail.

1 Lawyer Answer

A: You can contact the police to report the attacks and theft. You may have a case to sue for conversion of personal property and breach of lease agreement. As for the disposal of your property at your rental home, did you receive any sort of notice of abandonment? See: http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/notice_of_belief_of_abandonment_per_civil_code_19513.pdf

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