Trabuco Canyon, CA asked in Animal / Dog Law for California

Q: Neighbors stole our emotional support pet

We left our emotional support dog on our apartment patio for a single night while we were in the process of moving. When we came back to pick her up in the morning she was gone. There was a note on the door that the neighbors took her. They hopped on our 2nd floor private patio (that is not visible from below or above) a couple of different times. They checked on her her, gave her food, then came back and took her because she was howling. I called them and they brought her back saying that they thought she was was abandoned. I recorded the lady admitting to taking our dog and I have her phone number. What legal action can we take? She has caused high levels of stress for my family and our dog. She put us through an unnecessary ordeal to say the least.

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
Answered
  • Newport Beach, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Your dog is property, the same as a table, car or Fridge. If someone stole your car, what would you do? You would go to the police and file a report and ask for police assistance to recover your stolen property. You can also file a small claims action to recover damages from stealing your dog (called "conversion") and also seek a court order for the return of the dog.

Best of Luck.

THE OPINIONS STATED HEREIN ARE BASED ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE QUESTION,WITHOUT ANY INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION. DO NOT RELY ON FREE LEGAL ADVICE IN A PUBLIC FORUM, EVEN MINE. CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OF YOUR CHOOSING IN YOUR LOCAL AREA TO PROTECT YOUR IMPORTANT PERSONAL RIGHTS. THIS DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY/ CLIENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN US.

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.