Wilton, CT asked in Animal / Dog Law for New York

Q: can Someone claim a dog after a year even though no microchip and new owners have chipped registration and vet bills?

While walking dog which daughter had found over a year and vet checked for microchip twice

A women screamed you stole my dog!

Police came and pulled leash from daughters boyfriend and beloved dog gone. Do they have right to get dog back

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2 Lawyer Answers
Benjamin Z. Katz
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Answered
  • Animal & Dog Law Lawyer
  • New York, NY
  • Licensed in New York

A: If someone proves that they are the owner and that the dog was taken from them without permission they will be able to claim it for some time. If you want to challenge their claim you would need to litigate. I can go over the process with you.

Charles Oliver Wolff
Charles Oliver Wolff
Answered
  • Trumansburg, NY
  • Licensed in New York

A: In New York State, pets are considered property, even though we might consider them family members. There is no such thing as "finders keepers, losers weepers" under property law. If they can provide proof of ownership it's their dog and they have a right to reclaim it. How they are going to prove that the dog is the one and the same absent a microchip is another matter. Have an attorney send them a letter demanding proof of ownership. If they can't you get the dog back.

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