Q: Can Animal Control legally confiscate a dog that was found who's owner doesn't want her back?
A woman found a 10 lb. Shitzu and took it to a vet to have it checked for a microchip. The owner was identified on the microchip and was called but said he doesn't want the dog anymore. The vet told the woman to call Animal Control so she did. In the meantime the woman was making arrangements to give the dog to a dog rescue organization. Animal Control showed up and called the owner of the dog who again said he didn't want her. The woman wanted to give the dog to the dog rescue but Animal Control said by law she has to take the dog because it is "found property" and confiscated it despite the fact that the owner said he didn't want her twice. The dog has a very calm and sweet demeanor and displayed no signs of injury or aggression.
A: Generally, animal control will turn a found dog over to an animal shelter for adoption. The woman can try to adopt the dog from the shelter and give it to the rescue organization, or she can have someone from the rescue try to contact animal control and/or the shelter.
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.
