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Illinois Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Animal / Dog Law and Public Benefits for Illinois on
Q: What do you do if a civil rights discrimination /public accomadation denial complaint is wrongfully dismissed?

Had video proof of being made to leave with service dog and more but was given a disadvantage by the state investagor of the claim, and was dismissed with strong bias for the acting party. They allowed them to submit altered video to give benifit yet would not tell me how. Did appeal yet fedex... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 28, 2023

You should appeal. In doing so, it is important you retain a competent attorney experienced in appealing this type of case. Appellate practice is very technical and many trial attorneys do not practice appellate law. Pro se appellants very rarely win because of the degree of knowledge, skill,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Animal / Dog Law, Civil Litigation and Small Claims for Illinois on
Q: My ex and teenage daughter took my cat (she says it's hers). How do I start the process of getting my cat back?

It happened when I was out of town, so they sneaked over. Totally out of character for my daughter, but I'm not surprised my ex was involved and driving the getaway vehicle!

Jeffrey Li
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Jeffrey Li
answered on Jul 8, 2023

As pets are considered property in IL, you should start with filing a police report. Then to regain the property, you will have to file the matter in court against your ex and your daughter.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Illinois on
Q: My daughter purchased a puppy (American Bulldog) from a friend of ours. She ended up not being able to keep him

And I told her I would keep him until she could move & find a place where she could keep him. In the meantime I called the guy she purchased him from and let him know about the situation and he said he was coming to get the dog if she couldn’t keep him. So my daughter just took him back to... View More

Lindsey Seeskin
Lindsey Seeskin
answered on Oct 27, 2022

She may be able to sue him, but because your question pertains to an area of animal/dog law in which I do not practice, I will leave it to other practitioners to answer more substantively. Hopefully one of them does respond soon to your inquiry.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Animal / Dog Law for Illinois on
Q: My pit got off his leash while walking run up to another dog, the other dog (pit) badly injured my dog Who's at fault?

Her dog would not let go of my dogs neck.

My dog ran home which was two houses down from the incident with the dog attached to him.

Neighbors came out trying to help get the dog off of mine.

I have paid her vet bill 1,200

And mine which has cost me about $4,000 and... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Jun 1, 2022

Your instincts are correct. Your dog got out of its collar and caused injury to the other dog. When your dog got out of its collar, it was out of your control and any injury or damage that resulted is your responsibility. If the woman who was walking the other dog injured her finger, you are... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Animal / Dog Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Civil Rights for Illinois on
Q: Is there a sample or an example of how a Writ of Certiorari is to be written/ drafted for a Georgia Superior Court?
Alexander Ivakhnenko
Alexander Ivakhnenko
answered on Sep 10, 2021

I do not practice in the State of Georgia, however, if you contact the Georgia Superior Court clerk directly you may request a template or example of that legal document for your purposes.

Also, the Clerk may refer you the the court Referral Desk where there could be a possibility to find...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Wrongful Death for Illinois on
Q: If my dog gt killed by my neighbors dog how do I go about filing a lawsuit
Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on May 27, 2021

Wrongful Death law only applies to human beings.

I am a dog lover so I do not tell you this lightly. In the law, a dog is a chattel - it is only worth the fair market value of another dog so, at most, you would file a Small Claims case. Though we treat them like family and grieve their...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for Illinois on
Q: If someone agreed to watch my dogs and then gave my dogs away could I sue them?

We paid a friend to watch our dogs while we left to go to Maryland for the holidays ,but after we left he told us he got his dog from some lady who left it outside in the cold,and now he's not responding to our text or calls

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 27, 2020

Yes you can sue. You might also be able to report these people to animal control for animal cruelty.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Animal / Dog Law and Civil Rights for Illinois on
Q: I paid $100 for a cat, now the old owner wants it back. She has even called the cops to my place, what should I do?

Found an add on Craigslist for a cat, the person contacted me and we met up she gave us the cat than we gave her $100 for the cat. She was also abusing the cat and force feeding it with a turkey baster, I doubt it has every been to the vet with all the isssues she has and we have put over $200+... View More

Juan Ooink
Juan Ooink
answered on Nov 25, 2020

If you have a receipt, show that receipt to the police and tell them that the cat is yours. If you do not have a receipt, hopefully there was an independent witness with you when you purchased the cat. If so, have that witness speak to the police and tell them that you purchased the cat. If not,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: My landlord says that he can charge a pet deposit and monthly fees for my emotional support animal. Is this true in Il?
Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Nov 23, 2020

No. It is not. It’s covered by the FHA which is a federal law.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Illinois on
Q: My dog was stolen by roommate and given away. They both deny but I seen my dog in the window, police won't help

We had a roommate that took my dog from my home, he gave her to a woman nearby. They both deny this but I seen my dog in the woman's window, police won't help because no one else can verify she's there. The woman doesn't let the dogs outside they use the bathroom inside so I... View More

George W. Svoboda
George W. Svoboda
answered on Sep 17, 2020

Take a picture of the dog in the window of the woman and take it to the police to confirm your story. Try to do this without standing on the woman's property. You could sue to get the dog back, but you will still need proof that the woman has the dog. You will also need to prove that you own... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Illinois on
Q: A man gave his dog to my dog rescue after stating he could no longer care for it. Now he wants him back. Help!

The older man has let this dog run amuck on his unfenced property and on one occasion the dog came back after being shot. The dog is not neutered or microchipped. The man lives alone and has a bad knee injury and can barely walk or drive. He gave me all the paperwork on the dog. I planed to do... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 21, 2020

If he gave you the dog, then the dog is yours and he legally can't get it back unless you agree to give the dog back.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Illinois on
Q: I had given a woman a trial period with my birds w/stipulations. she failed & now wont give me my birds back. can i sue

it was a trial period of a possible adoption of my 2 parakeets, I had rescued them, had them 18 months, worked with them as they were abused. I gave a woman a trial period with stipulations...that either she keep my large cage or i would purchase one she liked but had to have specific... View More

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Jul 18, 2020

Do you a contract in writing? Was there money exchanged?

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Illinois on
Q: Is it legal for a dog shelter to perform extra surgeries other then what the dog was taken there for without asking?

My dog went in to get fixed and they cut off his "thumbs" I call them on his back foot without asking me. Now he has to wear bandages and I have to take him back so they can inspect his wounds. I was not told about this nor was I expecting it.

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 15, 2020

No, that is not legal. That sounds like animal abuse/cruelty and/or veterinary malpractice. I can not think of a single medical reason to remove a part of a dog's podal anatomy (foot anatomy).

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Small Claims for Illinois on
Q: You My dog and her two puppys were taken from there home when someone broke into my house and let them out .

You

My dog and her two puppys were taken from there home when someone broke into my house and let them out . Animal control kept them for 2 months with my only option being to wait for court and the judges decision... court finslly came and i asked the judge and the ASA told the judge i was... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 13, 2020

You will have to sue Animal Control for violating your civil rights. Talk to a civil rights attorney in your area.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Animal / Dog Law for Illinois on
Q: My husband and I have 2 dogs that I signed and paid for. If we divorce, could he take the dogs from me?

He is moving out of the state and has no established place to live yet. It is true that I would have to also find a smaller living arrangement eventually, but I have always been the one to take care of their finances, medical, and well being. Could he argue that I do not have a permanent living... View More

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Jul 9, 2020

If the dogs were purchased during the marriage they are considered marital property regardless of who paid for them. That means that if you and your spouse cannot agree on who gets the dogs, the court will decide.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Illinois on
Q: Can I take legal action on someone who lost my dog?

I left my dog with a professional dog sitter while we went on vacation. During this time she left the home and left my dog in her backyard in 95° heat and he hot out of her yard and is now missing. It's been 5 days and we can't find him. Can she be charged with anything?

Kristina M. Bergsten
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Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 9, 2020

She could possibly be charged with animal cruelty for leaving him outside in such weather without water. You could definitely sue her for losing your dog.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Illinois on
Q: My mother in law has been watching my dogs they got out of the yard and bite someone. Who would be liable?
Shawn M. Collins
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Shawn M. Collins pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 3, 2020

In Illinois, generally, the dog’s owner is liable to pay all damages incurred by a dog bite victim, unless the dog was provoked, or the victim was a trespasser on the property of the dog’s owner.

However, it is wise to discuss the facts of your particular case with an attorney...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Criminal Law and Animal / Dog Law for Illinois on
Q: My employer (a DVM) has done some illegal things. If I quit because I’m uncomfortable, could I get unemployment?

Illegal things include allowing unlicensed people to do surgery and taking clinic medications for his personal use (schedule II drugs, i.e. Codeine)

S. Janaan Hashim
S. Janaan Hashim
answered on Aug 3, 2019

Unemployment comes when you are fired, not when you leave. Good luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Criminal Law for Illinois on
Q: I have been charged with deceptive practice.i wrote the check (post dated)under duress. My dogs were going to be putdd

Putdown within the hour.they didn't bite anyone.afterward the emanciated state they were in after 10days was pathetic

Juan Ooink
Juan Ooink
answered on May 1, 2019

Not sure what your question is here, but if you are facing criminal charges, you need to hire an attorney right away. The sooner you hire an attorney to assist you with the pending criminal matter the better.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Illinois on
Q: Is there any way a monkey can live in Illinois? He's an support animal for my daughter
T. J. Jesky
T. J. Jesky
answered on Nov 2, 2018

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...
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