Q: Can a judge force a person to return a pet to it's owner if the owner can prove ownership?
my cat went missing and he was recovered by my neighbor. My neighbor did not know the cat was mine and posted an add for my cat. A lady who has a similar cat found the ad before I did and went and picked up my cat. She refuses to give him back and told me to take her to court. I know it's my cat and I told her we could easily prove this since my cat is 6 months old and her missing cat is almost 4 years old. We could go to a vet or hunane society. She first agreed to this but now she is saying no. My question is if I take her to court can a judge in Pima county Arizona, force her to take the cat to a vet and have his age determined? Also can they force her to return my cat if I prove ownership?
A: You can sue her in a replevin action and if the court agrees you’ve proved ownership the court absolutely can order her to return your cat and even issue a writ to law enforcement directing them to go seize the cat to return to you.
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