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I believe my dog passed away from cancer due to water contamination in our area. He had been healthy prior to this, and the contamination could be a possible cause of his illness. I haven't noticed other similar cases, but I want to hold someone responsible for his suffering and mine.... View More

answered on Jul 3, 2025
Yes. Anyone may sue anyone for anything. Whether it makes sense to sue is a better question.
Unfortunately, under Missouri law, a dog is considered personal property, just like a refrigerator. Therefore, even if you were to win a lawsuit, you'd probably only be entitled to... View More
During a visit to my home, my ex refused to leave after I repeatedly asked him and became aggressive toward my dog. As a result, my dog bit him. My ex now wants to sue me, and a personal injury attorney is asking for my current homeowner's liability insurance information. Is it legal for them... View More

answered on Jul 2, 2025
First, you didn’t clarify whether your ex is your spouse or your boyfriend. If he’s your spouse, your homeowner’s insurance would likely deny the claim outright, since co-insured individuals typically cannot sue each other under the same policy.
If he’s your boyfriend, he would not... View More
I'm a 73-year-old man who was attacked by my neighbor's dog. I was knocked to the ground on my property and sustained a bruised kidney and lacerations on my side, requiring two emergency room visits. Paramedics took me to the hospital, and the police were on the scene. I have hospital... View More

answered on Jul 1, 2025
I am sorry to hear about your injuries. California is a strict liability state when it comes to animal attacks. This means that your neighbor is presumed to be at fault and responsible for any injuries caused by their dog.
So, yes. You have a case against your neighbor, and if your... View More
In Illinois, while I was walking my dog on a leash, I informed someone not to approach because my dog is in training. Despite my warning, they approached anyway, and my dog jumped on them. My dog has never shown aggressive behavior before. Am I liable for my dog's actions in this situation?

answered on Jul 2, 2025
Generally, yes. But it can also be fact-specific - radius of dog's tether, person affirmatively approached or simply had nowhere else to pass, manner in which you tried to warn off, etc. In some cases, the person's conduct could be deemed contributory. Luckily, the damage sounds like it... View More
In Illinois, while I was walking my dog on a leash, I informed someone not to approach because my dog is in training. Despite my warning, they approached anyway, and my dog jumped on them. My dog has never shown aggressive behavior before. Am I liable for my dog's actions in this situation?

answered on Jun 24, 2025
If you could prove that you warned the individual (such as by an eyewitness who overheard the exchange), the person who your dog attacked may bear some contributory negligence. That notwithstanding, you are liable for the attack because the animal was out of your control. The fact that your dog... View More
My ex-partner and I got two puppies together. We agreed that if anything were to happen between us, I would keep my puppy. I handled all the grooming and vet visits for both puppies. When we broke up, I took my puppy, and the police were present. Now, my ex-partner demands that I either pay him... View More

answered on Jun 21, 2025
If you have documentation in writing, even if it is via text, that you would get the puppy in the event of a breakup, then you have a good argument that the puppy is yours.
Options:
* You could forward the text messages showing there was an agreement you would keep your puppy to... View More
My wife and I, who both have service dogs, live in an apartment complex in Joshua, Texas, currently named Sylvia At South Broadway. Management has banned our service dogs from the community room and issued us a lease violation for having them there, stating they do not comply with Federal or State... View More

answered on Jun 19, 2025
You can speak to a lawyer that practices in the area of housing discrimination or file a complaint: https://disabilityrightstx.org/en/handout/how-to-report-housing-discrimination/
You will want to provide proof of your disability and your service dog's training, proof you gave your... View More
I live in a rural area without leash laws, and my dog approached a neighbor's fence where their horse was. The horse kicked through the fence, injuring itself. My dog was unharmed. The neighbor asked me to pay the full medical bills for the horse, but I offered to pay half. There are no local... View More

answered on Jun 10, 2025
It depends on whether you took reasonable care to control your dog. If you are negligent in failing to control your pet, you can be legally liable for any harm it causes. When there is a leash law or local ordinance, it can be per se negligence as a matter of law if you do not comply with that... View More
I am being sued for a dog and personal injury incident at my home. I was interviewing someone to be a helper, and during the interview, she started waving her arms at my two dogs, which led her to fall off the loveseat. She now claims various injuries. I received a summons and only have eight days... View More

answered on May 25, 2025
A Colorado attorney could advise best, but you posted a week ago and it is important to respond to the summons in a timely manner. I'm sorry about your lawsuit. You may ultimately need to sit down with a Colorado attorney to review the paperwork you were served with. But as an immediate... View More
My cousin is on probation in Texas and has failed a UA. He has been told he must serve 45 days in jail once a bed becomes available. This isn't his first failed UA, and he currently has no legal representation. He is at risk of losing his job, apartment, and dog due to this situation. He plans... View More

answered on May 20, 2025
I hope his monday meeting with his probation officer went well.
There's no single, sure-fire, guaranteed way to avoid jail time. However, he can increase his chances by having a real desire to get clean, and demonstrate that by actions. He'll need to show his probation officer... View More
I hired a dog sitter through Rover, which considers sitters as independent contractors. Unfortunately, she lost my dog, and I had to return early from a trip I had planned for 5 months. I incurred over $2,000 in trip costs, spent $400 on a drone expert, and hired a professional dog trapper to... View More

answered on May 18, 2025
I am sorry to hear about the distressing situation with your dog. In New York, you may have grounds to sue the dog sitter for your financial losses and potentially for emotional distress, but the success of your claim will depend on several factors.
First, you can pursue a claim for the... View More
I need help getting my puppy back. I let someone take the puppy under the agreement that they would keep her, allow me to visit, and contribute to her veterinary care. I found out through text messages, shortly after giving them the puppy, that they gave or sold her to someone else. They even used... View More

answered on May 13, 2025
Contact a general practice or civil litigation lawyer in your area. Your agreement may or may not be enforceable in Court, depending on the details of the arrangement and what transpired after the conveyance. Ideally, you should have drawn up a written, signed agreement that included the... View More
My house was foreclosed, and we were given ten minutes to leave the premises. Animal control took our valuable horses, claiming it was necessary because we couldn't move them ourselves, despite us having the means to do so with some additional time for arrangements. The sheriff threatened me... View More

answered on May 12, 2025
I'm sorry you had that experience and I understand how difficult it is to relocate horses on short notice.
Technically, the horses were not stolen and were likely considered abandoned just like any other personal property left on the premises. The sheriff has to post a 24-hour notice... View More
I've experienced significant issues with dangerous dogs belonging to tenants of my landlord. Despite complaining, the landlord hasn't taken action beyond stating that the tenants aren't supposed to have dogs. The dogs have come onto my property, attacking my pets and nearly killing... View More

answered on May 13, 2025
Without knowing more, I doubt that any action against the landlord would be successful.
I'm assuming the property is in Virginia and subject to the Virginia landlord tenant act. That act requires that the landlord give the tenant notice to remove the dogs - and then the tenant... View More
I've experienced significant issues with dangerous dogs belonging to tenants of my landlord. Despite complaining, the landlord hasn't taken action beyond stating that the tenants aren't supposed to have dogs. The dogs have come onto my property, attacking my pets and nearly killing... View More

answered on May 12, 2025
Dogs are considered personal property. It is only when a person is injured that there can be a recovery for non-economic damages. You can only recover from the landlord if their homeowners’ policy liability coverage applies to the dogs. You can try sending a letter outlining your damages and the... View More
My daughter's dog was attacked by my neighbor's dog, which also injured her children. The incident resulted in over $3,000 in vet bills. We have sent letters to the neighbors both by mail and hand delivery, but they refused to pay the expenses. There have been prior incidents of their dog... View More

answered on May 28, 2025
The other two lawyers who answered are spot on but I'm happy to chime in as well.
First off, I’m really sorry this happened to your daughter, her pup, and her kids. That’s scary, painful, and expensive—and no one should have to deal with that kind of stress alone.... View More
My daughter's dog was attacked by my neighbor's dog, which also injured her children. The incident resulted in over $3,000 in vet bills. We have sent letters to the neighbors both by mail and hand delivery, but they refused to pay the expenses. There have been prior incidents of their dog... View More

answered on May 12, 2025
You should file a small claims suit in the justice of the peace court for the county and precinct where you and your neighbor live.
You should download, print out, and bring with you any local ordinance for your town or city that requires pet owners to keep their pets fenced or on a leash... View More
In our Minnesota divorce, my husband bought our shepherd dog during the marriage, and he considers the dog his, which was acknowledged during the marriage. However, I chipped the dog in my name and paid for all vet bills. Recently, the husband stopped honoring our agreed visitation schedule,... View More

answered on Apr 26, 2025
Minnesota law classifies your pets as property. There are no statutes that specifically address pets and visitation rights in a divorce. It seems your dog is material property. I am well aware this can be difficult, but a judge will not treat this like a child custody matter. If you want to go to... View More
I am currently going through a divorce in California. There is no prenuptial agreement in place. During our marriage, my spouse and I acquired two horses—one for each of us. My spouse is now refusing to let me take my horse and my plants, which I consider mine. Can I claim these items as mine... View More

answered on Apr 25, 2025
It seems each of you getting a horse would be a fair distribution, but you can't claim it.
Generally, this is what either of you earned (or debt you took out) after you married, but before you separated. The “community” is you and your spouse. The property belongs to you both... View More
I am renting out a house in San Antonio, Texas, where the lease agreement with the tenant expired about a year ago. The tenant continued to pay rent on time, but I discovered during an inspection for a new property management company that the house is in poor condition. There are holes in the wall... View More

answered on Apr 23, 2025
Because the original lease term has expired, the lease is now month-to-month. You need to give not less than 30-days advance written notice in accordance with the terms of the lease of your intent to end the lease with the end date being on the last day of a rent-paying period. So, for example,... View More
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