It is illegal under federal law to discriminate in providing housing to any disabled person because they have an emotional support animal. You can request appropriate medical documentation from the disabled tenant confirming that they are actually disabled and that they require the services of an... View More

You sound like you may need an abuse protection order if your safety is threatened by your partner. In a divorce you can motion the Probate and Family Court to have the dog reciting your history of caring for the pet.

You have a restraining order. There's going to be a lot more flexibility before the pet is considered abandoned. He cannot communicate with you in any way, shape or form without violating the restraining order, nor can he come to the house unattended. There is no bright line rule on the number... View More

You should ask for your dog back and find someone else if you still do not have a place. If this person refuses, you should not wait to take legal action. Dogs and other companion animals are still considered property in Massachusetts, so the person will have to return your dog to you unless the... View More

Animal control should release the dog to you once you provide proof of ownership - dog license, photos, whatever you have - provided the officer believes that someone else, not you, left you dog tied for hours and that you did not neglect or abuse your dog. You should be aware that animal control... View More

I am so sorry to hear about your dog. The first place to look would be the contract to see what options are listed there. There might be a 93A Consumer Protection case but you would need to consult with an attorney on the specific facts to see if that avenue is open to you.

Even though dogs are part of the family, this actually isn't a family law issue, it is a property issue. In divorces, pets are handled in the same way as property and divided between the parties in some way. Sometimes there is an every-other-week arrangement like you agreed to previously. When... View More

First, I am so sorry that your new puppy was sick! As to your course of action, it depends. You are above the amount for small claims court but it can be hard to get an attorney to take a case to trial if the sum isn't a lot higher. You may be able to do a demand letter for a settlement... View More

While I can't speak to your specific situation unless you are a client, I can say that animals are considered property in Massachusetts. That means someone has to show ownership, whether it's by a title or some other means, in order to own a dog. For example, if it's a car, there is... View More

A situation like that really depends on the details. Dogs are considered property in Massachusetts, so it's similar, as awful as this sounds, to losing someone's property. Anyone can sue, so it comes down to whether you would be found responsible for the loss. And, as I said, that really... View More

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking, but if you have been charged with a crime, you should speak to a criminal defense attorney.

I can't give you legal advice on your exact situation because you aren't my client. Generally speaking, a dog is considered property in Massachusetts. That means someone has to show they own the dog in order to take that dog away from someone else. In dog cases, it's usually easier... View More

I can't answer your situation specifically because you aren't my client. Generally speaking, there are various ways to prove dog ownership, such as being the owner on a microchip ID, being listed as an owner at the vet, registering the dog with the city or town to get a dog license, and... View More

Have you received medical treatment for same? Are there any scars? You may have a harassment claim against the landlord and if there have been three harassing incidents by this person you can obtain an order from the district court for your locality, but there are special rules under the COVID... View More

The courts view pets as property, therefore this isn't really a family law issue even though all the parties are (or were) family members. He could file a claim in small claims court or if he has documentation that the dog belongs to him (registration, etc.) he might be able to bring a... View More

I can't speak to your specific case because we don't have an attorney-client relationship. However, dogs are considered property under Massachusetts law. Certain things like microchips and documents may be able to prove that a dog belongs to someone. The police sometimes help in a... View More

I can't speak to your specific issue unless you are a client. Generally speaking, under Massachusetts law, a dog is considered property. Several options exist when someone takes property. One option is to file a police report. If the police will not handle the matter, then you may need to... View More

Under Massachusetts law, a dog is considered property. So, as awful as it sounds, think of the sale as you would the sale of something like a car or a boat. Generally speaking, a seller cannot take back property once it is sold. I say generally because each case turns on the facts. If there was... View More

Were you married? If not, then his payment for trips and home improvements on your home may be considered gifts, unless there were explicit loan agreements between you regarding these expenditures. As for the ownership of the dogs, were they gifts to you? Why are they registered in your name? More... View More