Pikeville, KY asked in Animal / Dog Law for Kentucky

Q: How long does someone have to claim a lost dog? Can I get in trouble for keeping it at my home and safe until then?

Found a dog on an abandoned homes’ porch yesterday evening. No one in the area seems to have seen it before. It was obviously very scared of people and wouldn’t let anyone get near it. I felt bad for it so I fed it and let it warm up to me and brought it home so I knew it would be safe and have adequate food & water. I posted this on Facebook on my actual page and on lost & found pets pages asking if anyone has lost the dog. No one has claimed it yet and I’m not quite sure what to do with it if no one claims it within the next few days.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
Answered
  • Animal & Dog Law Lawyer
  • Louisville, KY
  • Licensed in Kentucky

A: Within s reasonable time is how long they have to claim. You cannot get it trouble for providing the dog food, water and shelter. If no one claims the dog, you can keep the dog or, if not an option, deliver the dog to a shelter or rescue for rehiring.

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