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Minnesota Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Minnesota on
Q: I’m 17 and I brought a cat that lived with my mom and stepdad to the humane society.

My mom and stepdad were neglecting and abusing him. I brought him to a better place but my mom found out and is very angry. Can I get in trouble for “stealing” the cat?

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 4, 2020

Most likely, no. But I’ve seen police press charges in situations like this.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for Minnesota on
Q: My neighbors kid hit my dog and trapped him under a blanket with her and he nipped her and broke skin. Can she sue?

The child is 5 and has been told multiple times to not hit or hurt the dog previously and prior during the same day the incident happened. the other siblings have beaten him with sticks previously.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 27, 2020

'Poor dog. Anyone could sue and there's no controlling or predicting whether someone would. What you describe sounds like a reasonable basis for a defense or counterclaim. Your question remains open for three weeks. Try contacting one of the attorneys in the Animal/Dog law section and see... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for Minnesota on
Q: My ex wifes friends dog bit my daughter. A year later I'm getting the doctor bill?

I was never even notified about the bite. My ex had an ofp on me over false accusations. So why should I get this huge bill a year later and it's going to collections on me ? Not right is it? Should the dogs owner be responsible? Or my ex wife?

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Dec 17, 2019

It makes sense if you are obligated to pay the medical bills as a result of a divorce or a custody agreement. But I don’t know why you wouldn’t have received the bill earlier. It’s obviously a different situation if there isn’t such an agreement.

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Personal Injury and Criminal Law for Minnesota on
Q: I am MN licensed to carry a firearm. Can I shoot an unleashed dog in defense for attacking me or my leashed dog?

If I am in public within the city limits in any of the Metro area cities.

Thomas C Gallagher
Thomas C Gallagher
answered on May 29, 2019

Not without legal risk. As lawyers we consider how the law may apply to hypothetical facts (1) in the past; and (2) in the future. When the case is being litigated in court, it's almost always about the past. Past facts can't be changed, though we may have problems of proof. On the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Minnesota on
Q: What if you bring a neighbors dog in your house overnight to sleep with you is that illegal?

Is that considered dog-napping?

Richard Winblad
PREMIUM
Richard Winblad
answered on May 17, 2019

I doubt that Minnesota has a kidnapping law related to animals or pets. It could be considered conversion of chattels.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Animal / Dog Law and Car Accidents for Minnesota on
Q: Witnessed my neighbor's dog get hit by a car and die instantly - driver left the scene but lives nearby. Illegal?

I obviously let my neighbor know immediately and she is devastated. I am wondering if we should call the cops or if there is nothing they could/would do about it. I have seen the car before and know they live in the area. Is this a crime? Should I get the car's license plate number? Or is... View More

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Apr 9, 2019

Yes. It is something that can be reported to law enforcement. It is animal cruelty.

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Criminal Law, Adoption and Animal / Dog Law for Minnesota on
Q: Can we be sued?

Me and my boyfriend got a puppy and we weren’t able to keep him due to us having a baby on the way and it added tons of stress we didn’t need, so we gave him to the human society. The person we bought the dog from found out and is telling people we signed a contract and we didn’t pay for the... View More

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Mar 30, 2019

Sure; in America anyone can sue anybody for anything at any time (even without a lawyer in small claims court). Winning the lawsuit is another matter. Save all your receipts, text messages, emails and all other documents.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for Minnesota on
Q: Can an individual licensed to carry a firearm shoot an unleashed dog attacking a leashed dog, or said individual?

Walking in a public dog park or parkway. Just read about this scenario on Next Door...

Lucas Wynne
Lucas Wynne
answered on Mar 20, 2019

This is a very fact-specific question. Accordingly, it would depend on what happened. Can they be in trouble for discharging the firearm in city limits? Can they justify their actions? Can they show they were coming to the aid of the other dog? Frankly, the "right" answer is going to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Personal Injury, Animal / Dog Law and Child Custody for Minnesota on
Q: My daughter was recently bitten in the face at her mom's boyfriend's house and received over 100 stitches, can I sue

She was laying in her bed when dog attacked

Lisa Watson Cyr
Lisa Watson Cyr
answered on Apr 9, 2018

Most likely, but you need to talk with an attorney as soon as possible to go over the specific facts of the unfortunate attack.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for Minnesota on
Q: What if somebody holds your puppies and then all of a sudden they start disappearing
Lucas Wynne
Lucas Wynne
answered on Dec 19, 2017

Who/what starts disappearing? Your question does not seem to be complete. If somebody has stolen your animals, call the police or bring a claim in conciliation (small claims) court.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for Minnesota on
Q: Our two dogs are on my property, under control of an electric fence. The dogs cant leave the yard without being shocked.

If the neighbor girls come on our property with or without my permission and while petting the dogs, get scratched or bitten.

Are we responsible for their hospital bills?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Nov 3, 2017

If they are on the property with your permission you are. If not you may not be. However I assume that if you have property you have homeowners and you must report it to them.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Minnesota on
Q: My neighbors dog keeps getting out and almost getting hit. Has happened 7 times. Can I keep it?

Tied up by a line that is stationary and tied to a higher up tree branch. Not the base of the tree. No real collar. Unattended all the time. Always barking. Almost getting hit by cars all the time. I want to know if I can keep the dog legally due to their neglect.

Lucas Wynne
Lucas Wynne
answered on Sep 28, 2017

No. The dog is their property.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Minnesota on
Q: I sold a dog on payments, but haven't been payed at all for three weeks and want the puppy back do I need the police?

I have proof that she has the puppy, and that she was going to pay a hundred each week from the texts, I have the AKC papers and the parents of the puppy.

Lucas Wynne
Lucas Wynne
answered on Sep 28, 2017

The police will not intervene in this matter. You need an attorney and/or to seek relief through conciliation court.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Minnesota on
Q: My neighbor has horses he is never home the horses get out run into my yard damaging my property and animal.

law inforcement said they wrote him a ticket but it keeps happening what can i do?

Joseph A. Gangi
Joseph A. Gangi
answered on Jul 24, 2017

Talk with a lawyer about bringing a lawsuit under the "running at large" statute

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Minnesota on
Q: what do I need to bring to court for a custody hearing regarding a dog?

I was in a 7 yrs relationship. We decided to get a dog about two years ago initially she didn't want to get a dog but it was my decision to get a dog I was the one who chose the dog I went out with her to the Humane Society and and ultimately decided that he was the one we were going to get... View More

Lucas Wynne
Lucas Wynne
answered on May 26, 2017

There is no such thing as a custody hearing for a dog because dogs are property, not people. However, if you are going to small claims court over the ownership of a dog or the dog is being awarded as property subject to a divorce proceeding, then I would suggest bringing any receipts, registration... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Lemon Law and Animal / Dog Law for Minnesota on
Q: Are humane societies subject to puppy lemon laws in Minnesota?
Lucas Wynne
Lucas Wynne
answered on Apr 21, 2017

No. Humane societies are not covered under the 325F.79 definition of pet dealers.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Minnesota on
Q: I own a housedog and trailer in t court who doesnt allow dogs. Dog stays in my house 24/7. Can I legally kp my dog?
Lucas Wynne
Lucas Wynne
answered on Apr 19, 2017

Without knowing more information, it is likely that you are bound to the terms set forth by the trailer court. There may be an exception if you owned the dog (and lived in the trailer court) prior to the time the trailer court imposed the no dogs rule.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for Minnesota on
Q: Dog broke off chain, went after dog that had previously injured said dog. Dog walker tried to break dogs apart.

In the process, was bitten and it's unknown which dog bit her. There has been no contact/communication made with either party in regards to incident. Not before, during, or after. A letter from an attorney was received by the party in question telling them to have their insurance adjuster... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Sep 16, 2016

each person should contact their insurance. Odd that a chain would "break." Whoever's chain it was should keep it as that may be someone to be added to the case. Each person is responsible for keeping their dogs under control. Let the insurance company handle it is the next step.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Minnesota on
Q: I signed a paper saying if I could no longer keep my dog I have to return it back to them then with my initials after .

Do I need to give the dog back or can I find it a new home

Joseph A. Gangi
Joseph A. Gangi
answered on Sep 2, 2016

It sounds like you signed a contract. You should seek the advice of a contract attorney to review the contract and assess your rights and obligations under it, and also potential consequences for breaching the contract.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Minnesota on
Q: should the pet policy be clearly stated in the lease agreement?

In the lease agreement it says under pets ' I may not keep any animals of any kind without the written consent of management.' I emailed my landlord asking to have a pet and she tells me her pet policy and that it'll be a $200 damage deposit. But her 'pet policy ' was... View More

Joseph A. Gangi
Joseph A. Gangi
answered on Sep 2, 2016

You need written consent -- but you won't get written consent without paying the $200. If you have a pet without written consent, that would be considered violating the terms of your lease and could be grounds for eviction.

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