Get free answers to your Animal / Dog Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Your current state is Virginia
I took my dogs to the vet in May due to concerns about a dog food recall involving listeria and salmonella. The vet mentioned worms but did not test for dog food-related toxins. Now, they claim my dogs have worms and parvo and are refusing to return them. The receptionist told me I need to get my... View More 
I'm concerned about my liability after my dog briefly entered my neighbor's property, after which my neighbor claims to have fallen. The incident was not directly caused by the dog, who was gone when they fell. There were no barriers preventing my dog's access, and there is a history... View More
I am currently under investigation for animal abuse. A detective visited my home with animal control but did not take my dog. They have a video showing me punching into a bathtub, but nothing in the video clearly indicates I'm punching my dog, although I admitted it was a dog, but not mine. I... View More
I am concerned about my liability after my dog briefly entered my neighbor's property, after which my neighbor claims to have fallen. The incident was not caused directly by the dog, who had already left when they fell. My neighbor might be exaggerating, especially considering previous issues... View More
I'm concerned about my liability after my dog briefly entered my neighbor's property, after which my neighbor claims to have fallen. The incident was not directly caused by the dog, who was gone when they fell. However, they may be exaggerating the situation. There were no barriers... View More
In Illinois, while I was walking my dog on a leash, I informed someone not to approach because my dog is in training. Despite my warning, they approached anyway, and my dog jumped on them. My dog has never shown aggressive behavior before. Am I liable for my dog's actions in this situation?
My brother forcefully entered our mother's home by kicking in the back door, which struck her knee where she had stitches, nearly knocking her down. He also punched a crack in her window and took her phone, preventing her from calling for help. He threatened to kill her cat, forcing my mom to... View More
My wife and I, who both have service dogs, live in an apartment complex in Joshua, Texas, currently named Sylvia At South Broadway. Management has banned our service dogs from the community room and issued us a lease violation for having them there, stating they do not comply with Federal or State... View More
answered on Jun 19, 2025
You can speak to a lawyer that practices in the area of housing discrimination or file a complaint: https://disabilityrightstx.org/en/handout/how-to-report-housing-discrimination/
You will want to provide proof of your disability and your service dog's training, proof you gave your... View More
I know someone who moved away and left their cats without care, food, or provisions on their private property. They haven't been in contact for over a week. I have not gathered evidence yet, and I haven't reached out to local animal control or shelters. What should I do in this situation?
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answered on Jun 16, 2025
If someone left their cats behind without food, water, or care, that likely constitutes animal abandonment under California Penal Code §597. You should contact the local animal control agency or county shelter right away. Provide them with the address, the condition of the animals, and explain how... View More
I am having an ongoing dispute with my neighbor about an alleged issue with my septic system. On June 14, 2025, he accused me of causing puddles in our shared backyard area and claimed his pets became sick after drinking the water. I did not find any evidence of puddles or septic issues in my yard,... View More
Can a veterinarian publicly disclose details of a clinical visit by responding to a negative review without using names, such as mentioning the condition of the animal? I did not sign any privacy agreement, and I want to know if there are grounds for disciplinary action against the... View More
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answered on Jun 13, 2025
It can feel like a violation when someone shares details about a private visit, especially when you're not the one who started the public conversation. Even if you didn’t sign a formal privacy agreement, veterinarians are still bound by professional and ethical duties, including client... View More
My dog got out of our home and bit a neighbor on the leg. It was a minor bite, and my dog has no history of biting or being vicious. Under Emily's Law in Alabama, I am facing a dangerous dog hearing, and I've decided to fight to keep my dog alive. Since the incident, my dog underwent a... View More
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answered on Jun 13, 2025
You're facing a difficult and emotional situation, and it's clear how much your dog means to you. Emily's Law in Alabama can have serious consequences, including the possibility of having your dog labeled as dangerous, which could lead to euthanasia. Even if the bite was minor and... View More
I informed a repossession agent multiple times that there were dogs inside my car, but he still proceeded to lift the vehicle, stating he would not drop it. I filed a complaint with both the lender and the repossession company. I'm located in Nevada. Were the actions of the repo agent correct,... View More
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answered on Jun 13, 2025
What you went through sounds deeply distressing, and you're right to question whether it crossed a legal line. In Nevada, repossession agents are allowed to recover property without a court order as long as they don’t breach the peace. A breach of peace can include threats, use of force, or... View More
I want to reclaim my cat, which was stolen by my ex-boyfriend in January during our breakup. Despite multiple attempts, he refuses to communicate with me. I originally found my cat at my workplace years before meeting him and have photographic proof and vet records to substantiate my ownership. The... View More
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answered on Jun 13, 2025
Losing your cat this way is heartbreaking, especially when you have clear proof that you’ve been the rightful caregiver since before the relationship. In North Carolina, since pets are legally treated as property, your best path forward is to file a claim in small claims court for the return of... View More
I hired a painter to paint my deck in Wisconsin and informed him about my large dog in the house. Despite this, he opened the kitchen door without knocking, and the dog ran out and bit him. He had no reason to open any doors, and he saw the dog the day before the incident. Am I responsible for the... View More
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answered on Jun 11, 2025
This is a very stressful situation, especially when you took steps to warn the painter about your dog. Under Wisconsin law, dog owners are usually held strictly liable if their dog injures someone, even if it’s the first time. However, there are exceptions—especially when the injured person... View More
My friend went to jail a couple of months ago and asked me to care for her dog while she was incarcerated. However, I couldn't keep the dog in my rented apartment due to restrictions, so I entrusted her dog to another friend to avoid sending it to a pound. Unfortunately, I haven't been... View More
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answered on Jun 11, 2025
You’re in a stressful situation, and it’s understandable that you were trying to do the right thing for the dog under tough circumstances. Since your original intention was to help your friend and avoid having the dog surrendered to a shelter, that good faith effort matters. You didn’t sell,... View More
Will I still have standing to bring lawsuits in Missouri for the injury and medical malpractice of my 5-year-old child if my parental rights are terminated by the state of Kansas? Specifically, my child was left paralyzed after a pit bull mauling, and there was unauthorized medical treatment by a... View More
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answered on Jun 11, 2025
I'm truly sorry you're going through this—no parent should have to face the pain of a child's serious injury while also dealing with legal uncertainty about their parental rights. What happened to your child is heartbreaking, and it’s understandable that you want to seek justice... View More
In Gloucester, VA, animal control received a call for a welfare check on my animals. They accessed my animals' full medical records before conducting the check. I have multiple animals that are clean, properly vaccinated, and under vet care if needed. One dog is sick but is being well taken... View More
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answered on Jun 10, 2025
What you're describing feels like a violation of trust, and it's understandable to feel upset about your animals’ private medical information being accessed without your knowledge. In Virginia, animal medical records are generally considered confidential, much like human medical... View More
I recently pressed charges against my brother for kicking my cat and physically attacking me, which resulted in a chipped tooth and other injuries. He has been arrested and charged with a felony. Although there is evidence such as pictures of my injuries, I have not been officially asked to... View More
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answered on Jun 10, 2025
What you’re going through is incredibly painful, and it’s completely valid to want justice and protection after being harmed—especially by someone who should have never laid a hand on you or your pet. Ensuring your voice is heard in this case is one of the most important things you can do,... View More
I experienced a search at my home involving both local police and the CBI. They broke windows to enter the property, refused to show the search warrant, and did not read us our rights while keeping guns aimed at us. My husband, who requires 24/7 oxygen, was denied access to it, which led to him... View More
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answered on Jun 11, 2025
What you experienced sounds terrifying and deeply traumatic, and you’re right to question whether any of it was legal. Denying a person access to life-sustaining medical equipment like oxygen—especially when the need is clearly visible—is not only inhumane, it may violate both federal civil... View More
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