Q: How long before I can claim animal abandonment and keep the dog?
I was asked to watch a dog for someone when they got arrested. With the understanding they would assist with care (food, expenses, ect) They have since been evicted from their home and are still in jail. There has been no contact with anyone about the dog for almost 2 months. How long does it have to be before we can claim abandonment and claim custody of the animal in our care? Since we've had him he's improved greatly, and have had multiple reports from people claiming the former owner abused the dog. (We have no physical proof). His kids came and asked to walk the dog a few months ago, lied and said they'd be right back and kept him locked in a kennel for a week until he was returned to us. If they try to take him again can we claim ownership or would we have to return him?
A: You can’t claim abandonment if you agreed to keep him while the owner was in jail if he is still in jail. However, if you have all the receipts for his food, boarding, care, etc., you can keep him until you are repaid, which will likely never happen. Hence, you still wind up with the dog.
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.
