Q: If I left my dog in care of a relative while I was away and they give my dog away can I press charges?
A: Criminal charges might be a stretch. But you might have a civil action. What is topping you from getting your dog back from the people who have him/her?
A: Yes, assuming you paid money to purchase the animal. Pets are viewed as chattels in NY so the same rules of larceny apply. The severity of the charge (misdemeanor or felony i.e. petite or grand larceny) would depend on whether you paid over or under $1000 for the beast. To press said charges you have two options. 1. File a police complaint and how they forward it to the DA's office or; 2. File a direct complaint against the person who committed the larceny with your county's District Attorney's office (forms online) and they will promptly contact you. The latter is preferable in my humble opinion.
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