Get free answers to your Animal / Dog Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Your current state is Ohio
I rent an apartment and share a fence in my yard with a neighbor whose large pit bull-type dog constantly barks and growls at my small dog. The dog has even jumped on the fence, showing aggression, though it hasn’t jumped over. My neighbor speaks no English, and communication hasn't resolved... View More 
answered on Mar 21, 2025
It sounds like you have done what you can do under the circumstances. You might consider erecting some type of screen along the fence you share with your neighbors or putting an outdoor kennel in your backyard to protect your own small dog in the event that your neighbor's dog breaks through... View More
I purchased a dog from a seller on Craigslist who advertised it as an 11-month-old purebred Pomeranian for $400. The listing explicitly stated "Pomeranian," and the seller implied the dog was purebred, mentioning I was getting "a really good deal." Upon receiving the dog, I... View More
answered on Mar 18, 2025
You can always try, but the issue is, how likely would it be that you would win? How much are your damages (how much is the dog you received worth)? With no written contract and no requirement for papers, its a "he said, she said" situation. Court costs are around $180.00 for small... View More
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 notice of suit for a dog bite incident on a specified date. However, I do not own a dog and have no previous incidents or complaints involving a dog. The notice included details about the date and location of the alleged incident, but there is no possibility that the dog is associated... View More
answered on Mar 9, 2025
First, when you are served with a summons and complaint, you are required to file, within 20 days, either a response to the complaint (which can be an answer with defenses, a motion to dismiss, or motion for more definite statement) or a motion for extension of time to respond to the complaint.... View More
I received a notice of suit for a dog bite incident on a specified date. However, I do not own a dog and have no previous incidents or complaints involving a dog. The notice included details about the date and location of the alleged incident, but there is no possibility that the dog is associated... View More
answered on Mar 13, 2025
To add to my prior answer, the 20-day response deadline I mentioned applies if you are NOT in small claims court. If you are instead in small claims court (where a claimant may sue for up to $8K plus court costs), you instead must appear at a pretrial conference, if you do not first get the... View More
I own a condo in Florida, and the HOA requires a key on file for emergency access. I have two dogs, and I'm concerned about liability if the HOA enters while I'm away and is attacked or bitten by one of the dogs. The bylaws require the key, but do not specify liability for pet-related... View More
answered on Mar 6, 2025
Under Florida law, you may be liable if your dog bites a member of the HOA who enters your condo, provided that the person is lawfully on your property. According to § 767.04. Dog owner’s liability for damages to persons bitten., the owner of a dog is liable for damages if the dog bites any... View More
I brought my dog to a veterinary clinic as an emergency patient after he collapsed but was not triaged upon arrival. We waited for 30-45 minutes while a receptionist, not a veterinarian, claimed he was fine despite his critical condition. When finally seen, the vet stated he was experiencing... View More
answered on Mar 5, 2025
I'm so sorry for your loss. To prevail in a veterinary malpractice case, you'd have to demonstrate that the clinic departed from the accepted standard of care and that such a departure caused the death of your dog. Unfortunately, in the eyes of New York law, pets are "chattel"... View More
I recently had my chipped pet surrendered to a county shelter without my consent. Although the microchip is registered under my name through HomeAgain, the shelter never contacted them. The shelter admitted to improperly handling the intake by not contacting me based on the chip information and... View More
answered on Mar 5, 2025
Yes you can. You will be able to recover the fair market value of your dog at the time the shelter adopted the dog out. Factors going into this calculation include the breed and pedigree of the dog, its age and health, and any specialized training or skills the dog may have. The trier of fact... View More
My neighbor's Doberman came into my yard and bit my 10 lb Pomeranian on the neck, resulting in my dog's death. My dog was on a leash being held at the time. The incident cost me $800 plus additional expenses. The Sheriff came out, and I have a police report, but Animal Control did not... View More
answered on Mar 3, 2025
Unless you were on your neighbor's property, the Doberman was NOT under its owner's control when it attacked your dog, so your neighbor IS responsible. Animal control CANNOT choose not to respond to an animal attack. Go to animal control and demand that they prepare a report. Did the... View More
Can I leave my dog in a car for 30 minutes on a 70-degree day? The car will be parked in direct sunlight with the windows slightly down. I'm not aware of any specific local laws regarding leaving pets in vehicles.
answered on Feb 26, 2025
No, you should never leave a dog in a car even in 70 degree weather (and especially not in direct sunlight) as the temperatures inside can multiply very quickly, creating dangerous conditions for the dog. I would always either leave the dog st home or take her in with you when you have to go... View More
I've recently lost a friend who left me a small will a few years ago, bequeathing his dog and home to me. The will is signed and dated by him, as well as by a witness, but it is not notarized. I don't believe he has any immediate relatives, and I am not aware of any other formal wills. I... View More
answered on Feb 24, 2025
I am very sorry for your loss of your friend, please accept my condolences. You will need to have a probate attorney look at the Will in order to determine if it is valid and enforceable, generally it will need to have two witnesses and the signature of the testator (the deceased). The property... View More
In Florida, my dog, who has a history of aggression, bit someone in a public area. The dog was on a leash and had a "do not touch" sign on the harness. I explicitly warned the person not to touch the dog, but they ignored my warning and were bitten, requiring medical attention. No... View More
answered on Feb 22, 2025
In the state of Florida, a dog owner is automatically liable for any damages that the dog caused to a third-party. If you own or rent property, your renters or homeowners insurance may provide a legal defense to any claim that is brought against you by the injured plaintiff. While a warning sign is... View More
Someone's dogs entered my property and killed my cat. We haven't found all our cats yet. The dog's owners were aware their pets were loose. We have not filed a report yet, but my mother heard the incident, and our neighbors have surveillance cameras that likely captured the event. We... View More
answered on Feb 21, 2025
Yes, for the fair market value of the deceased cat and any vet bills incurred due to the incident. Unless the cat is some kind of high-priced purebred, the FMV won't be much. Perhaps a monetary demand to the owner will result in amicable resolution, so that you won't need to sue.... View More
Someone's dogs entered my property and killed my cat. We haven't found all our cats yet. The dog's owners were aware their pets were loose. We have not filed a report yet, but my mother heard the incident, and our neighbors have surveillance cameras that likely captured the event. We... View More
answered on Feb 21, 2025
Sure. But here's the thing. Unless your cats were a rare breed, there's no money in it. Cats are property, like a bicycle or a desk. You can't sue for pain and suffering or emotional distress regardless of how sad you are that the cats were killed. MAYBE you can sue for trespassing,... View More
I recently received a letter from my county stating that my dog license has expired and outlining a $75.00 annual fee because my dog is not spayed, even though I do not breed her. Additionally, the county requires yearly vaccinations and licensing since my vet reported the initial rabies... View More
answered on Feb 21, 2025
These would be policy decisions by your County Commission and are lawful unless it can be shown they would violate the State and/or Federal Constitutions (and a Court would agree with that argument). If there were to be any constitutional argument (and I'm not saying there is), litigation... View More
I recently received a letter from my county stating that my dog license has expired and outlining a $75.00 annual fee because my dog is not spayed, even though I do not breed her. Additionally, the county requires yearly vaccinations and licensing since my vet reported the initial rabies... View More
answered on Feb 21, 2025
The short answer is that chickens and other animals that are not mammals do not get rabies. Rabies is almost always transmitted by bites, thus the importance of vaccinating domesticated carnivore mammals (with teeth designed to bite and eat meat) as opposed to herbivores (with teeth designed for... 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 have been taking care of my son's two dogs since he bought them. One dog has been with us for 5 years, and the other for 2.5 years. During this time, my family and I have paid for all their expenses, including food and vet bills, and the neighbors can confirm the dogs have lived with us.... View More
answered on Feb 17, 2025
Ron is correct. However, as the owner of the dogs, your son was legally responsible for the cost of care and maintenance for the animals. So, negotiate a price for the dogs and then offset it with your bill for services for the care and maintenance of the dogs for the past roughly 2750 days of... View More
My son was bitten by a pitbull. The incident was reported to the authorities, and he received immediate medical treatment. We also know the owner of the pitbull and where the dog resides. What steps do I need to take to pursue compensation in this situation?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 15, 2025
What steps should you take after a dog bites your son? I am going to assume that your son is a minor. If your son is over 18, then he would represent himself. You need to contact an attorney who specializes in dog bite cases. This is the short answer. You should not try to represent yourself in a... View More
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
