Get free answers to your Animal / Dog Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I surrendered my dog to a shelter and falsely claimed I found him, which led to their acceptance of the dog. Later, they discovered I was the actual owner and contacted me, stating I needed to retrieve my dog or face potential charges for lying and abandonment. Could this situation result in legal... View More

answered on Apr 16, 2025
I doubt there is any jail time involved, although you could be charged with abandonment for failing to retrieve him.
I live in Hardin County, Kentucky, and recently had a visit from animal control. They informed me that I must stay outside with my house dog whenever she's on a lead and that she needs to have a shelter, even though she is not an outside dog. She only goes outside to relieve herself. By law,... View More

answered on Apr 3, 2025
Yes. Under the Hardin County Animal Control Regulations, shelter is required because the lead evidences intent to leave the dog outside for extended periods.
I'm a resident of Clark County, Kentucky, and my neighbor gave me a dog over 6 months ago. She recently mentioned that her ex-boyfriend in Breathitt County wants the dog back and claims to have the original Bill of Sale. The Breathitt County Sheriff's Department allegedly contacted her,... View More

answered on Apr 1, 2025
The dog belongs.to you now. The Sheriff is her problem, not yours.
My 19-year-old son is facing a class D felony charge for animal torture after trying to nurse a dog back to health. He eventually surrendered the dog to the Humane Society but lied about finding it in a ditch. He was arrested and released with a court date, and this is his first offense with no... View More

answered on Mar 19, 2025
Hire him a criminal defense lawyer immediately. Since he has no record, it most likely will be amended to a misdemeanor or diverted.
I have had repeated issues with my neighbor's dog hopping my fence and being off leash on my property on at least three occasions, the most recent being last night. The dog has torn into trash bags on my deck, leaving trash everywhere. Despite animal control and police involvement, where the... View More

answered on Feb 27, 2025
No. But you can’t shoot the neighbors dog. End of problem. End of story.
Can I leave my dog in a car for 30 minutes on a 70-degree day? The car will be parked in direct sunlight with the windows slightly down. I'm not aware of any specific local laws regarding leaving pets in vehicles.

answered on Feb 26, 2025
No, you should never leave a dog in a car even in 70 degree weather (and especially not in direct sunlight) as the temperatures inside can multiply very quickly, creating dangerous conditions for the dog. I would always either leave the dog st home or take her in with you when you have to go... View More
I have a dog that was dumped in my yard almost a month ago and I have tried getting ahold of the owner and she never replied back and never came to get her dog I also had him posted on Facebook in numerous group pages to find out if he was missing or dumped and people told me who his the owner was... View More

answered on Jan 19, 2025
If she can prove the dog is hers, you’ll have to give her back. If she can’t proved the dog is hers, then it’s up to you. Is the dog microchipped? That could solve the mystery.
We live out in the country and have seen racoons, opossum, deer, foxes, bob cats, coyotes, stray dogs, ect. around the area. Supposedly one of my dogs got out of our fenced in yard and jumped in our neighbors pool damaging the pool cover and the pool. They have not presented any evidence that it... View More

answered on Nov 8, 2024
In Kentucky, any owner whose dog is found to have caused damage to a person, livestock, or other property shall be responsible for that damage. See KRS 258.235.
I recommend that you give your homeowners insurance carrier notice of the potential loss. I would also give your neighbor your... View More
I have rights to have animales

answered on Oct 5, 2024
First, you should get the charges against you dismissed. Then you should sue the cops, the neighbors and anyone else who involved themselves into your business.

answered on Sep 8, 2024
You will likely have to sue your neighbor for the damages and injuries.
A set of professional handlers added up some outrages fees. I do not have a signed contract with them. I have been paying incrementally and supplying all her food and medication. The dog is chipped and registered to me. The handlers live in KY and I live in VA. They took her from the Westminster... View More

answered on May 19, 2024
Yes. Obviously there was an oral contract to do something bc they have the dog. You will either have to pay them or hire a lawyer and litigate the return of the dog.

answered on May 15, 2024
Generally, five (5) days but it can vary from ordinance to ordinance and county to county.
His father was out on the streets and didn't attempt to come and get the dog or even help me take care of it they didn't even vaccinated they didn't give a rabies shot I did all that plus treat some food what do I need to do she is my she's registered as my ESA dog now I'm... View More

answered on Apr 3, 2024
They abandoned the dog. Have her microchipped and registered to you. Keep all your vet records where you pay for the dog.
I am wheelchair bound diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I was prescribed a emotional support animal. The landlord at the apartments I live in first said I had to pay $250 when I showed them proof my animal was for emotional support they then told me there was now a no pet policy and I would... View More

answered on Mar 4, 2024
You should be able to keep the animal but you will likely have to pay pursuant to the terms of your lease.
My friend is very ill and asked me to take her dog. I have a farm and love dogs so she knew he would be well taken care of. I got his microchip registered and took him to the vet. The place she adopted it from is now contacting me saying it's their dog and she signed a contract, like we all do... View More

answered on Jan 5, 2024
What you describe is a standard term in animal adoption contracts. Why don’t you contact the shelter and see if you can work something out with them? They might be willing to accept your application and let you keep the dog.
I always tie him down to one of my bed corner with a leash. As far I know there's no law in Louisville ky that prohibit that. But was recently warned that it could consider animal cruelty. Is that true?

answered on Dec 13, 2023
It could be construed as animal cruelty by some groups. Better practice would be to secure a crate in one corner of the bed and let him ride in the crate.
Someone is trying to rehome a lost dog and was told it's illegal to rehome a lost dog. So we're checking to see if this is true.

answered on Nov 28, 2023
It is not illegal unless they know the identity of the owner.
I live in an apartment and there is a noise ordinance about dogs barking excessively however no one with the authority to address this issue will respond. Property mgr will not deal with it and local police dept will not come out when I call to make a complaint. This is violating my rights as well... View More

answered on Nov 26, 2023
Unfortunately, history tells us your best option is to just move to avoid the frustrations of nothing being done.
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free 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 Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, 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.