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Alabama Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: Can my ex wife take my dog

My ex wife if threatening to take my dog because she has his papers. I have been taking care of the dog for over a year with no help.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Animal / Dog Law, Arbitration / Mediation Law and Civil Rights for Alabama on
Q: What should I do for trial for receiving stolen property if I found a business' grocery cart off of the property for dog

Walking from Mississippi to Alabama with dog in cart

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 20, 2024

If you're facing trial for receiving stolen property after finding a grocery cart off a business property, it’s important to explain your situation clearly. Start by presenting the facts: you found the cart, used it for a practical purpose (walking your dog), and had no intention to steal.... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: The neighbors' dogs and ours got in a fight. The neighbor wants us to pay the $1400 vet bill. What are our options?

There's a history of three other fights although my Dad and I did not know about the first two until the third, which happened in the edge of the road between our properties. When we found out, we took immediate steps to prevent another incident. It was a year and two days between that time... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Products Liability, Agricultural Law, Animal / Dog Law and Civil Litigation for Alabama on
Q: Need a local Alabama lawyer to help sue dog food company and pet treat company that's product made my pets very ill
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 17, 2024

An Alabama attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. You could search for attorneys online and supplement your searches with the tab above, "Find a Lawyer." Local and state bar associations could also be a resource for locating attorneys within your area, Good luck

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Social Security and Business Law for Alabama on
Q: I’m on disability can I run a nonprofit animal rescue without it affecting my social security?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 7, 2023

If you receive Social Security disability benefits, engaging in activities like running a nonprofit can affect your benefits if it is considered "substantial gainful activity" (SGA). The Social Security Administration (SSA) allows beneficiaries to work while receiving disability benefits... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for Alabama on
Q: My neighbor's unleashed dogs attacked my cat on my property. Is my neighbor responsible for the vet bills incurred?

My cat ultimately died but not before I incured over $3200 in vet bills.

Don Oliver Keene
Don Oliver Keene
answered on Jun 14, 2023

Yes, but you will likely have to sue them in court to get them to pay for it. This sounds like you likely have a negligence claim against your neighbor because they caused you economic damage (the $3200 vet bills). The other thing that helps you here is that the dog attacked your cat on your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: Can I go to jail if I break up with my boyfriend and take my dog that he gave me with me

Can I go to jail if I take my dog with me whenever I move out for my boyfriend's house he gave me the dog but it's not his dog is mine what kind of proof do I need that she belongs to me and is there anything that he can do to me if I take my dog with me he don't take care of her and... View More

Erik Špila
Erik Špila
answered on Aug 23, 2022

Dear Mrs,

the proof of dog ownership should be available at your local vet station where dog should have been registered on his first medical examination. Also some cities hold their own records about dog owners, so contacting local city hall can also possibly help you. If you are the owner...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: I am buying a tibetan mastiff with an invisible fence on my 30 acre property if it bites a trespassing dog am I liable

My neighbors dogs routinely trespass and while I'm getting a docile breed I'm worried something may happen because dogs can be territorial and want to know if I need to build a real fence to protect myself from liability

Hunter Garnett
Hunter Garnett
answered on Feb 20, 2022

Generally, no. A dog owner is not liable if the dog attacks another dog that comes on the dog owner's property without the property owner/dog owner's permission.

If you were sued for damages and lost the case, the damages would be limited to the vet bills for the injured dog or...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: I have a dog I posted signs on my front porch Beware of dog a lady ignores the signs walks up on porch my dog bite her

Who responseable my dog is on a lesh she came on my property

Nelson Craig Johnson
Nelson Craig Johnson
answered on Sep 9, 2021

In Alabama there are typically three instances where an owner can be responsible for a dog biting someone. 1) if the dog has known dangerous or vicious propensities. 2) If the dog is a breed that is listed on a dangerous breed list. For the State of Alabama that is only Pit Bulls. Counties or... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Real Estate Law, Animal / Dog Law and Civil Litigation for Alabama on
Q: Myself and 8 others own an undivided lot lot with boathouses and lake access. a new is using the lot. Can he w/o permi?

The new neighbor lives adjacent to our undivided lot and got the idea if he kept it up then they could use it for extra room when having get togethers. I am concerned about injuries and them claiming the lot for themselves since they kept it up and used it for all those years. Am I correct in... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Jun 23, 2021

I believe you have answered you question: contact an attorney in your area, discuss your situation and/or give him the above post, and ask what to do/what does he recommend.

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: Question about Pet custody.

In 2013 my husband and I purchased a family dog and of course let his daughter pick out and name the dog. Now she 17 and no longer comes to visit. Her Mother his ex wife is now suing us for custody of max the dog. she has no monetary ownership nor has the dog ever lived with her. they had been... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Dec 2, 2020

Probably not. She has no ownership interest. That said, people can sue for anything. The clerks at court do not have the authority (or time) to screen cases to see whether they are valid or not. The real question is whether the person filing the suit will win. Based on what you said, it sounds like... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: Can I shoot a dog for killingy cat on my property

Dog has killed other neiborhs animals but no proof

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 27, 2020

No. Call animal control to report the attack.

1 Answer | Asked in Wrongful Death, Animal / Dog Law and Civil Litigation for Alabama on
Q: I think a vet clinic is responsible for the death of my cat, any advice?
Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 25, 2020

You’ll have to either sue or file a complaint with your local licensing board.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: Found puppies in TN

Could I take them to a vet and get a health record? With them being found, they did not know anything about them. If taking to a vet will work, would it need to be in TN or would my AL vet work?

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 20, 2020

You AL vet is fine.

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law, Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: Someone found puppies in the woods in TN & I live in AL. Can I take these puppies across state lines?

I agreed to come get the puppies so they were safe. He gave me his address and told me to come get them. Now someone else is wanting them so they are threatening me with court and police. Is there anything they can do since I have proof he told me to come get them and gave me his address?

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 18, 2020

If you have agreement with the owner of the puppies that the puppies are yours, then they are yours. You can travel across state lines but make sure you have the proper health documents, too.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: My dog has gotten my dad's deceased girlfriend's dog pregnant again. Do I get custody of the puppies by default?

So last month my dad's girlfriend passed away. However my dog and her dog are mates and are about to have another litter of puppies. The girlfriend's two children were left her belongings and her stepbrother is the executor of the will. Legally am I entitled to the litter even though my... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 10, 2020

Generally, in breeding contract situations where all breeders are actively involved, siring the puppies would give you an ownership interest if that was contracted for. Usually, though, a "stud fee" is paid for the male dog's "performance" so to speak. It sounds like this... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Wrongful Death for Alabama on
Q: My dog was ran over (I witnessed it) by a truck going 50 mph down a dead end road in the country. What could I do?

The speed limit on my road is 15 mph! The person who ran him over NEVER stopped or turned around after obviously running a dog over. My dog was ran over right beside our mailbox, basically in my YARD. the truck that ran him over should have been on the right side of the road but my dog was on the... View More

Christopher Belk Estes
Christopher Belk Estes
answered on Jun 10, 2020

Oh my gosh. That is terrible and I am so sorry for your loss. You should report this to the Police and the District Attorneys Office and see if you can get them to pursue animal cruelty charges against this person. As for a civil case, unfortunately animals are treated as property and valued as... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: My sister was in a drug recovery center when the manager pit bull bit her in the face causing major damage. What should

What should she start off asking for damages. Her eye and lip was really damaged

J. Brent Burney
PREMIUM
J. Brent Burney
answered on Apr 25, 2019

Dog attack and dog bite cases can be difficult cases primarily due to insurance coverage issues. The first thing your sister should do is to put the dog owner and drug recovery center an official notice of her claim for damages. To fully protect her rights she should consult a personal injury... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Products Liability and Animal / Dog Law for Alabama on
Q: Have dog 5 years. Family agreed to watch our dog until we got back on our feet-6 months, he chipped him & won't return

We moved in with an uncle when he asked us to help him take care of his dying partner (bone cancer) shortly after his passing he kicked us out and said he would keep our dog until we were in a good place. We found out he had him chipped and now he will not give him back to us. We've had our... View More

Mr. James Parrish Coleman
Mr. James Parrish Coleman
answered on Jul 8, 2018

A dog is property. You can sue him. You are going to have to show that he agreed to keep the dog temporarily and that you didn't give the dog to him. GOod luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Libel & Slander for Alabama on
Q: My dog got ran over.Lady came back an hour later wanting reimbursement for car damage.Cant find my dog.What can I do?

The lady lives at the end of my road. Every time she comes by she is speeding way over the 25mh speed limit. I still haven't found my dog to know if hes hurt or dead. This lady came back am hour after running my dog over wanting money. I think if my dog is hurt or dead she should pay me for... View More

Jeremy Cohen
Jeremy Cohen
answered on Feb 5, 2018

Hello,

Helpful information can be found on the county website, division of animal control. The website states: Animals are not permitted to run at large in Marshall County pursuant to state law. (Code of Alabama, Section 3-1-5).

They also may be able to assist you in locating your...
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