Q: Can an ex legally demand your dog to go with them?
My ex and I broke up in September of 2019. 2 months later he asked to take our dog from me and I said no because he did not have his own place to live yet. A few months later he asked if a friend could come take him from me to take to my ex, I said no because I was not comfortable with someone else taking my dog hundreds of miles away. Now April 2020 he is demanding that he comes and takes my dog or he will "put up a costly fight" for him. I've taken care of my dog for over 7 months now which included an $800+ vet visit. Is there any legal way that he can take him from me?
A: Costly fight over a dog? That's a laugh. Dogs are deemed property. Because that dog is probably worth a couple hundred dollars (at most) in the eyes of the state, the most expensive thing he could likely due is bring you to small claims court or file another civil case.
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.
