Get free answers to your Animal / Dog Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
answered on Dec 15, 2016
That sounds like a case of conversion of personal property (pets are personal property in the law's eyes) and/or breach of contract against the pet sitter. You'd have to file an injunction to invalidate the sale and get your bunny back! The best first step is an Initial Consultation with... View More 
answered on Jan 18, 2017
That sounds like conversion of personal property. You may be able to sue for damages in court. It depends on the facts. You may want to try to reacquire your pets from the persons to whom they gave your pets. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about... View More
answered on Dec 1, 2016
Small claims court may be a good option. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute legal advice nor does it create any Attorney-Client relationship.
I signed the papers for my dog 4 years ago and have pretty much paid for everything. I have all my credit card statements. He just left and we haven't seen our dog. We had a criminal court hearing which he didn't show up to and now another one is scheduled for 12/16. I have been told... View More
answered on Dec 23, 2016
Once you give someone a gift, it belongs to the recipient. If someone else takes it unlawfully, that is criminal theft, regardless of whether you lived together or not. If the police are too lazy to handle it, file a complaint with the police dept. and contact the DA directly about the crime. You... View More
We have no written agreement because I never thought he would do this to me. He lets anyone just take her. I've seen her being walked off leash which scares me because she will get hit by a car if she sees a squirrel, rabbit etc. I also heard they were letting her drink beer etc. I don't... View More
answered on Dec 23, 2016
If someone steals your property, you can take it back without resorting to force or unlawful methods (e.g., no trespass, assault, etc.), but make sure you speak with a lawyer about how to do this properly. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me... View More
The dog also has a microchip registered to me. He no longer is in the state of Massachusetts. However I know his location. Do I have the legal course do you get him back
answered on Dec 23, 2016
You can report this matter to the police as a theft and/or you can sue the thief for conversion seeking replevin in civil court. If you want to take the dog back, make sure the dog actually belongs to you and was stolen (not the other way around), make sure to not break any laws in taking your dog... View More
answered on Dec 15, 2016
A dog is considered personal property, and ownership is based on the same rules that would apply to any item of personal property. You would have to prove ownership via receipts of purchase, proof of payment or adoption, etc. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can... View More
I registered and microchipped her after trying to contact him for 4 months..he even told me i can keep her (later said it was a joke) i have no.proof of that text since its been 2 yrs but when he first gave me the dog he also gave me her medical records and said he will help with the expenses..he... View More
answered on Dec 23, 2016
It sounds like he abandoned the dog and thereby seemingly relinquished ownership in so doing, especially under the circumstances you describe. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute... View More
As the question asks, I've helped to take care of them for 45 days without any financial benefit. Now one is pretty healthy but another is sick. The hospital says it's because of starvation. I didn't starve him on purpose and I'm not a professional dog sitter. I just want to... View More
answered on Dec 23, 2016
It depends on the terms of your agreement with your friend, and also why the animal is sick (your fault or an underlying condition). If you were just doing your friend a favor (no promises made), and if you took reasonable good care of the pet and yet the pet had a natural malady which stymied its... View More
I am looking into adopting a dog, and have gotten my landlord's permission to do so, albeit with some restrictions. His homeowners insurance company has blacklisted several breeds, including pit bulls. The dog I am interested in rescuing is labeled as a lab mix, and it is a puppy, so it is... View More
answered on Dec 23, 2016
Better safe than sorry: avoid adopting a dog that might violate your landlord's terms and insurance requirements. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any... View More
I pay for the dog's insurance, bring him to the vet and the groomers, and I feed him and buy his medicine and food. My parents just provide the roof over his head. Do I have the right to full custody of him?
answered on Dec 23, 2016
Pets are personal property, and it sounds like this one belongs to you. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any predictions, guarantees, or warranties; or create... View More
answered on Dec 23, 2016
You might decide to make a written contract with a trusted friend for such a scenario with very clear terms including payment for care, term of care, terms for recollecting the pet, etc. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice... View More
a dog was left in the neighborhood in poor condition...the dog was friendly so i started to feed him..i called animal control to come and pick up the dog and was told that i would have to bring the dog in...well because of the condition of the dog i did not want to put him in my car...so i was... View More
answered on Dec 23, 2016
I hear no case for animal cruelty. Are you leaving out crucial information? The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any predictions, guarantees, or warranties; or... View More
We moved out an couldnt take her with us so his mother took care of the dog for us an now that we want her his mother is refusing to give her to us. How do we get our dog back?
answered on Dec 23, 2016
It sounds like you might have abandoned the dog and thus relinquished ownership, but it depends on the facts and any agreements made between the parties. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not... View More
I had gone back and gotten copy of the adoption papers they have no signature on file plus I am listed as the primary with her vets. He had a romantic interest who works with dogs look over the papers and she says he is in the right but I still believe that I have rights to see the cat as well.
answered on Dec 23, 2016
Your claim to ownership would depend on any agreements between you and your ex re: the cat and whether your ex gave you ownership rights of the cat at any point. As for visitation rights, unless they're agreed to in some contract with your ex or are ordered by a judge as part of some rarified... View More
The animal control has taken the dog and has said the attorney general's office would make the final decision. What does the law say, who gets to keep an animal, in Rhode Island?
answered on May 19, 2014
In Rhode Island, if a dog's certification of registration is in the name of one person, there's a presumption that that person is the owner. That presumption can, in some cases, be overcome by other evidence. For example, there might be evidence of a gift. Other factors are ownership of... View More
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