Get free answers to your Animal / Dog Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I'm concerned about my neighbor bringing an animal nuisance charge against my mother in Harford County, MD, for stray cats that do not belong to her. There have been no interactions with the neighbor, no notifications from city officials or animal control, and we were informed that the... View More 
answered on Mar 11, 2025
You do not state the exact civil code violation your mother was cited with violating. However, Harford County Code Section 64-12, entitled "Animals Constituting Nuisances" reads as follows:
It is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any animal in such a manner as to cause... View More
A veterinarian's office ran a test on my pet without my knowledge or approval and did not inform me until I called to make an appointment months later. They claimed I owe $80 for the test, despite not discussing or approving it, and they cannot find any record of my approval. I refused to pay,... View More
answered on Mar 10, 2025
The Public Defender's Office only represents person charged with a criminal offense who cannot fford a lawyer to defend the charges. You are being sued in civil court for an unpaid debt or for breach of contract. Persons appearing in civil court cases are not entitled to receive free legal... View More
I received a lease termination notice from my landlord, who claims I violated the lease by having more dogs than allowed. The lease specifies no pit bulls or aggressive breeds, and my dog is an American bulldog. This is the first time I've been notified of this issue. If I vacate by the given... View More
answered on Feb 18, 2025
The simple answer is yes, but if you do so without negotiating an end to your lease, you may get stuck paying for a portion of what remains on your lease (assuming it's not a month-to-month lease at this time). I would recommend negotiating an end to your lease and getting something in writing... View More
I had a cousin staying with me temporarily while getting back on his feet after moving back to our home state he was very informed about the fact they my dog is reactive and has dog on dog aggression I keep signs posted I keep two out of three of my property gates permanently sealed to have the... View More
answered on Feb 7, 2025
If you have homeowner's insurance, you should report the claim to your carrier and they should cover the claim. They would hire an attorney to defend you and pay any judgment that is rendered.
If not, your cousin may jointly and severally liable and you could sue him for... View More
My neighbors dog keeps getting out of their yard, constantly barking and nipping at people walking by. Causes every other dog on the street to go ballistic.
When they got here I weighed them and they averaged 915 lbs. I had paid him before he sent them to me. What can I do to make him take them back or refund money to me ?
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answered on Dec 6, 2023
In your situation, where the cattle delivered from New York State weigh significantly less than what was represented by the seller, you have a few potential options to pursue. The discrepancy in weight can be a valid basis for a claim, especially if you have evidence of the seller's original... View More
They came and knocked on my door but i didn't answer. I was told by a neighbor that another neighbor that doesn't like me told the police or dnr that i have a monkey. But now I'm scared to sleep bc in scared they are gonna raid my house n i have really bad anxity and ptsd. I... View More
Our camper caught fire before getting it insured. We learned the fire was (in a nutshell) b/c of either a faulty device or poor installation of another company's device that was installed by the manufacturer. Basically, the fire was inevitable and there was no warnings despite customer... View More
answered on Sep 8, 2023
You should look for an attorney that handles fire cases. Under the law, you will have the burden of proof to show that the fire was caused by a defective product or someone's negligence. This is requires expert testimony which can be expensive. Some attorneys will advance the expenses and take... View More
My neighbor thinks because the leash law only says that her dog must be leashed only when off of her property she can let it out in an unfenced yard where it isn’t contained and in my opinion not under her control because she doesn’t have it on a leash. Is that accurate??
answered on Jun 20, 2023
If the dog does not leave the owner's property, it does not have to be leashed. However, if the dog ventures away from the owner's property, it is a violation if the dog is not leashed.
The Baltimore County Code states:
(c)Animal at large.
(1) (i)"Animal at... View More
What should I do being the animals were originally obtained in nj but have been living with only me in md for the past 5 years. Do they still have rights if they left the animals 5 years ago with no contact?
answered on Jun 20, 2023
Your argument is either (1) they were a gift to you, and once given, title passes to the recipient, so those pets are yours now; or (2) he abandoned them--abandonment being the intentional relinquishment of property (pets are property under Maryland law) and giving up of rights, which may be proven... View More
I have vet records in my name. The original owner got incarnated and his girlfriend is who gave me the dog. Legally what can they do to get the dog back do they have any rights ? Thanks
answered on Dec 21, 2022
If the dog was not the property of the girlfriend, she had no legal right to give it away without authorization and consent of the incarcerated owner. If the incarcerated owner gave her that consent, then that's a different matter. A person (you) who receives a gift or even purchases... View More
The business is not yet registered in MD. Will this fact affect her case?
answered on Nov 13, 2022
Probably not. Not all businesses need to be registered to do business in Maryland. The dog bite claim may be treated independently from the dog walking contract. Not enough facts to evaluate. However, if the dog walking business is a party to the suit, and if it is required to be registered to do... View More
He wants to get the dog when he has a stable place to live. How long can he leave her with me until I can assume ownership. I have paid for all her food and provided all her care.
answered on Oct 21, 2022
Dogs are considered personal property under Maryland law. The owner of the dog is the person that purchased the dog. Personal property can be abandoned, but in this case, he has indicated that he intends to retrieve the dog which indicates he is not abandoning the dog.
As the owner of the... View More
Lost dog was found on N. Carolina interstate. Friend brought dog to Maryland as they were returning from a trip. Attempts were made to find owner via lost dog webpages in the county that the dog was found. I took dog to animal shelter in MD and found out it was chipped and the owners were contacted... View More
answered on Oct 3, 2022
When the owners' failure to come get the dog meets the legal definition of abandonment. Abandonment requires the intentional giving up of ownership. Intent can be express ("I no longer want the dog, you can have it"), or implied through conduct (e.g., refusal to respond to... View More
answered on Jun 27, 2022
Dogs are considered personal property under the law. The owner of the dog is the purchaser. Evidence could include the name on the bill of sale, the name listed on the veterinarian's records, etc. Courts do not get involved in "visitation" issues for pets.
Who’s responsible if the dog scares a neighbor walking by? Am I responsible for the unleashed dog leaving my property or is the other dog owner responsible. There was no attack but I’m being threatened that I’m responsible for unleashed dog leaving my property
answered on Jan 21, 2022
Who is threatening you? Animal Control officers? They do not threaten, they issue warnings and citations. You cannot have unleashed dogs (yours or others under your supervision) running loose off your property or having unwanted contact with others. If you took responsibility to watch and... View More
Dogs get run. Didn’t hurt anyone, didn’t bark. Just run through the neighbor’s yard to the forest. No intention from the owner. “Nice” Neighbour opened cases “dogs at large”, “dogs trespassing”. Surprisingly, maximum penalty for dogs running at large in MD is 30 days jail for the... View More
answered on Jan 20, 2022
I seriously doubt you would receive jail time for this. You may want to retain counsel to get the best possible result.
but she was never gifted the dog or paid a dime towards food or vet expenses he gave me ownership through the vet when he found out she tried to rehome the dog many of times and had me caring for dog die to her living conditions now she’s wanting the dog and saying the dog is her emotional... View More
answered on Jan 11, 2022
If the dog was purchased/acquired during the marriage, and was not a gift made just to the husband, then the dog would be marital property. He would not be the sole owner. However, you are claiming he made a gift of the dog to you. Whether a court would uphold a gift made by one joint owner of a... View More
Baltimore County
answered on Dec 25, 2021
Each county and incorporated town or city has its owm local code or ordinances governng this issue. In Baltimore County, if you have more than three dogs, you are required to obtain a holding facility or kennel license. To find out if you are zoned for a holding facility or kennel license, please... View More
My sister's Fiance died on Monday and he had this dog before they even met but they were together for a little over a year and living together for about 4 months when he died his parents are to fragile to handle the dog and told her she should keep him on Friday a friend of his said he is... View More
answered on Sep 12, 2021
The dog is personal property under the law. Personal property of a deceased person belongs to the deceased person's estate. When someone dies without a will, the law of intestate succession applies to determine the legal heirs entitled to inherit the estate assets. An unmarried person... View More
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