Lakeland, FL asked in Animal / Dog Law, Criminal Law and Libel & Slander for Florida

Q: Animal control showed up because r/m has been neglecting her animals. Stopped trying to help when r/m became abusive.

Was also not in a financial situation to care for them as I just gained employment on 7.19.19. I have an 11 year old child that I have struggled to feed and shelter due to finances and have been trying to get out of this unhealthy environment. Animal control said that all persons in the home could be held criminally responsible and I don't know if that is true. I read FL Statute 828.13 and I do not believe I fit the classification as of an owner. When I arrived in FL in March of this year the r/m did not have the dogs nor did she ask me if I wanted dogs. So far it is only in the investigation stages but I am considered that this could hurt my newly found employment, my ability to care for my child or risk jail time and have a criminal record. So can you please tell me how this works? The roommate is also lying to police and I have the information to prove that she is? She has threatened to commit suicide in front of myself and my child. Has verbally attacked not only myself but other.

3 Lawyer Answers
Gary Kollin
Gary Kollin
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: What is a r/m?

https://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/R%2FM

Henry George Ferro
Henry George Ferro
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Ocala, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: I am assuming that r/m is roommate. If so the State of Florida would have to prove that you are an "Owner” which includes any owner, custodian, or other person in charge of an animal...there is an attorney general opinion at 815 So.2d 597 from 2002.

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
Answered
  • Freeeport, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: "828.13 Confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals.—

(1) As used in this section

...

(b) “Owner” includes any owner, custodian, or other person in charge of an animal.

(2) Whoever:

(a) Impounds or confines any animal in any place and fails to supply the animal during such confinement with a sufficient quantity of good and wholesome food and water,

(b) Keeps any animals in any enclosure without wholesome exercise and change of air, or

(c) Abandons to die any animal that is maimed, sick, infirm, or diseased,

is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both imprisonment and a fine.

(3) Any person who is the owner or possessor, or has charge or custody, of any animal who abandons such animal to suffer injury or malnutrition or abandons any animal in a street, road, or public place without providing for the care, sustenance, protection, and shelter of such animal is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both imprisonment and a fine."

I believe you are reading it correctly and agree with Mr. Ferro. You are not necessarily an "owner or possessor" of your roommate's animals.

1 user found this answer helpful

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.