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Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
Q: A former friend gave me her dog because she's a homeless alcoholic. When is the dog legally mine?
William John Light's answer
If she gave you the dog, as in gifted it to you, it's yours. However, it seems that you agreed to care for the dog while your friend was in need, and then return it. Spending money on the dog, for which you offered to care, doesn't make it yours.
It seems that the veterinary care might be beyond the scope of what you offered, though. If you don't want to spend the money, then either contact the friend and return it, or surrender it to Animal Control.
If you want to...
If she gave you the dog, as in gifted it to you, it's yours. However, it seems that you agreed to care for the dog while your friend was in need, and then return it. Spending money on the dog, for which you offered to care, doesn't make it yours.
It seems that the veterinary care might be beyond the scope of what you offered, though. If you don't want to spend the money, then either contact the friend and return it, or surrender it to Animal Control.
If you want to...
Q: If I care(vet,food,etc.)for a dog almost its entire life(2 years), can the person who left her in my care take her back?
Kristina M. Bergsten's answer
He would have to sue you in small claims court and win to get her from you. Its possible he could call the police but they likely won’t get involved. You have a strong defense against his claims of Ownership, especially if the dog never lived with him and always lived with you.
He would have to sue you in small claims court and win to get her from you. Its possible he could call the police but they likely won’t get involved. You have a strong defense against his claims of Ownership, especially if the dog never lived with him and always lived with you.
Q: my service dog he has been asked to leave because he barked and lunges but was restrained
Ellen Cronin Badeaux's answer
Depends who asked him to leave and where. You are absolute liable for any injuries your dog causes.
Depends who asked him to leave and where. You are absolute liable for any injuries your dog causes.
Q: I was told i cant hold my 2 ft snake while walking my 6 yr old up to his school gate to drop him off is that legal
William John Light's answer
It's not illegal. They didn't break any law. However, the school doesn't own the sidewalk or have authority to control it. The school could call Animal Control and report you for suspected animal cruelty. No idea whether that would be meritorious but the point is, the school could take that action; and/or even expel your child since you are apparently disturbing parents and adults on the sidewalk outside of school. That wouldn't be illegal, either.
Your conduct is offensive. Many...
It's not illegal. They didn't break any law. However, the school doesn't own the sidewalk or have authority to control it. The school could call Animal Control and report you for suspected animal cruelty. No idea whether that would be meritorious but the point is, the school could take that action; and/or even expel your child since you are apparently disturbing parents and adults on the sidewalk outside of school. That wouldn't be illegal, either.
Your conduct is offensive. Many...
Q: A neighbor has a dog, a mutt, under a year old. Her husband wants to breed it for whatever unknown purpose.
Terrence H Thorgaard's answer
If they were to sue you, they could only recover their damages. For a mongrel, with little or no monetary value, damages would be next to nothing. And no, you can't just refuse to give the dog back, assuming they had agreed you could keep it for a while but not own it. So your best course of action would be to demand that they sign it over to you in return for your "fostering" it.
If they were to sue you, they could only recover their damages. For a mongrel, with little or no monetary value, damages would be next to nothing. And no, you can't just refuse to give the dog back, assuming they had agreed you could keep it for a while but not own it. So your best course of action would be to demand that they sign it over to you in return for your "fostering" it.
Q: My mother kept my dog. All the vet records are in my name and he is registered as a support animal.
Juliet Piccone's answer
I'm sorry you are experiencing this, but it's not a simple issue. You need to talk to someone who handles these cases a lot, which I do. It pays to hire someone experienced, so please consider paying for a consultation with me. Free consultations are usually worth what you pay for them; nothing!
I'm sorry you are experiencing this, but it's not a simple issue. You need to talk to someone who handles these cases a lot, which I do. It pays to hire someone experienced, so please consider paying for a consultation with me. Free consultations are usually worth what you pay for them; nothing!
Q: We found a stray dog that was skin and bones. Posted it online, etc. Took to vet had scanned and all. It's been 2 weeks.
Kristen Thurmond's answer
This is not really addressed well in the law and there is not a definitive answer for you. However, please consider that not everyone actively uses social media, the dog may have been stolen and released, or the person may have looked for the dog and given up hope. I have met numerous people who lost their pet and despite their best efforts found their pet years later. If the dog was trying to survive on its own when it's never had to before, of course it will be emaciated. Please consider what...
This is not really addressed well in the law and there is not a definitive answer for you. However, please consider that not everyone actively uses social media, the dog may have been stolen and released, or the person may have looked for the dog and given up hope. I have met numerous people who lost their pet and despite their best efforts found their pet years later. If the dog was trying to survive on its own when it's never had to before, of course it will be emaciated. Please consider what...
Q: My dog was killed and my neighbor has two storied to his "dead" and he wont tell me where his body is.
Timothy Denison's answer
You need to sue you neighbor for “killing” your dog. That will get you the answers you seek.
You need to sue you neighbor for “killing” your dog. That will get you the answers you seek.
Q: i live with my parents and are wanting to give my dogs away, i pay rent and provide for my dogs.
Tammy Lyn Wincott's answer
It sound like your best option is to find another place to live where you can enjoy the company of your dogs. Remember that it is your parents' home and it should be respected as anyone else's, i.e. do not let the dogs cause damage, etc.
It sound like your best option is to find another place to live where you can enjoy the company of your dogs. Remember that it is your parents' home and it should be respected as anyone else's, i.e. do not let the dogs cause damage, etc.
Q: Can you go to jail for not paying a vet bill?
Tammy Lyn Wincott's answer
No, but it can hurt your credit and they may seek to get a Court Judgment against you.
No, but it can hurt your credit and they may seek to get a Court Judgment against you.
Q: Is there any way a monkey can live in Illinois? He's an support animal for my daughter
T. J. Jesky's answer
Since 2011 a ban has been placed in Illinois on owning chimps and monkeys. Monkey owners who purchased their pets before the law went into effect can keep their pets, but no new ones can be purchased legally.
The exception to this new law are monkeys used for therapy or helping disabled people..
Since 2011 a ban has been placed in Illinois on owning chimps and monkeys. Monkey owners who purchased their pets before the law went into effect can keep their pets, but no new ones can be purchased legally.
The exception to this new law are monkeys used for therapy or helping disabled people..
Q: My kids found a dog that has had no food or water in days he's all skin and bones and he has sores all over him
Kristen Thurmond's answer
This is a late response, but the answer is that only police or animal control can take the dog. They are granted authority by the city, county, or state to do so. You should report severely malnourished or emaciated pets any time you see them.
This is a late response, but the answer is that only police or animal control can take the dog. They are granted authority by the city, county, or state to do so. You should report severely malnourished or emaciated pets any time you see them.
Q: Can my neighbor trap and poison my cat?
Kristen Thurmond's answer
This would be considered abuse by almost any city ordinance more than likely and it probably violates a state statute, as well. If it happens or you see the trap out with poison, contact local police or animal control to make a report.
This would be considered abuse by almost any city ordinance more than likely and it probably violates a state statute, as well. If it happens or you see the trap out with poison, contact local police or animal control to make a report.
Q: Who to best seek help from concerning someone with mental health problems who is about to loose their home
1 Answer
| Asked
in
Health Care Law, Animal / Dog Law and Patents (Intellectual Property)
for
Indiana
on
Answered on Oct 30, 2018
Answered on Oct 30, 2018
Kevin E. Flynn's answer
I am sorry to hear of your situation. Your question was listed for patents (inventions). You may have meant paRents but that is not a category.
You may want to post the same question under Family law or Elder law as this is a question of intervening when a family member may not be competent to take make decisions and others need to act on that person's behalf.
I hope that this helps.
Kevin E Flynn
I am sorry to hear of your situation. Your question was listed for patents (inventions). You may have meant paRents but that is not a category.
You may want to post the same question under Family law or Elder law as this is a question of intervening when a family member may not be competent to take make decisions and others need to act on that person's behalf.
I hope that this helps.
Kevin E Flynn
Q: Can my stepmom give away my service dog while I’m out of town?
Ellen Cronin Badeaux's answer
Leave your dog with someone else or board it while you are out of town. You can't MAKE her care for your dog.
Leave your dog with someone else or board it while you are out of town. You can't MAKE her care for your dog.
Q: I let my Yorkiepoo visit my daughter n her girlfriend kept and licensed my dog in her grandmothers address.
Peter Munsing's answer
You can try the police--it's conversion of a dog, but your civil remedy is what the dog is worth in market value, not it's value to you. Sorry, that's the law.
Suggest you discuss with a family therapist how to proceed as getting legal may end up breaking one or more relations you have and while right now you may feel "so what?" later you may not.
You can try the police--it's conversion of a dog, but your civil remedy is what the dog is worth in market value, not it's value to you. Sorry, that's the law.
Suggest you discuss with a family therapist how to proceed as getting legal may end up breaking one or more relations you have and while right now you may feel "so what?" later you may not.
Q: we have a dog in our rural area that has killed several livestock and pet
Manuel Alzamora Juarez's answer
Sue the owner in small claims court and ask for the reasonable value of your livestock. Best of luck.
Sue the owner in small claims court and ask for the reasonable value of your livestock. Best of luck.
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