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Kentucky Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Kentucky on
Q: Is it okay to leave dog in car for 30 mins at 70°F in KY?

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.

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
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

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Kentucky on
Q: My dog supposedly jumped our fence and damaged the neighbors non fenced pool. Are we liable for cost of replacement?

We live out in the country and have seen racoons, opossum, deer, foxes, bob cats, coyotes, stray dogs, ect. around the area. Supposedly one of my dogs got out of our fenced in yard and jumped in our neighbors pool damaging the pool cover and the pool. They have not presented any evidence that it... View More

John Amos Whatley
John Amos Whatley
answered on Nov 8, 2024

In Kentucky, any owner whose dog is found to have caused damage to a person, livestock, or other property shall be responsible for that damage. See KRS 258.235.

I recommend that you give your homeowners insurance carrier notice of the potential loss. I would also give your neighbor your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Kentucky on
Q: On a county road my neighbor hit my dog on an unlicensed dirt bike and wrecked.Am I responsible for his injuries ?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Nov 16, 2023

In this case, your neighbor was riding an unlicensed dirt bike on a county road, which is illegal. This means that he was trespassing on your property and was responsible for any injuries he caused.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you knew or should have...
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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Criminal Law for Kentucky on
Q: Can I be jailed for lying about my dog's ownership to a shelter and abandoning him?

I surrendered my dog to a shelter and falsely claimed I found him, which led to their acceptance of the dog. Later, they discovered I was the actual owner and contacted me, stating I needed to retrieve my dog or face potential charges for lying and abandonment. Could this situation result in legal... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Apr 16, 2025

I doubt there is any jail time involved, although you could be charged with abandonment for failing to retrieve him.

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Kentucky on
Q: Does a house dog need shelter and supervision when outside on a lead in KY?

I live in Hardin County, Kentucky, and recently had a visit from animal control. They informed me that I must stay outside with my house dog whenever she's on a lead and that she needs to have a shelter, even though she is not an outside dog. She only goes outside to relieve herself. By law,... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Apr 3, 2025

Yes. Under the Hardin County Animal Control Regulations, shelter is required because the lead evidences intent to leave the dog outside for extended periods.

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Kentucky on
Q: Legal rights for dog ownership after neighbor's verbal transfer in KY

I'm a resident of Clark County, Kentucky, and my neighbor gave me a dog over 6 months ago. She recently mentioned that her ex-boyfriend in Breathitt County wants the dog back and claims to have the original Bill of Sale. The Breathitt County Sheriff's Department allegedly contacted her,... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Apr 1, 2025

The dog belongs.to you now. The Sheriff is her problem, not yours.

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Criminal Law for Kentucky on
Q: 19-year-old faces felony for animal torture. What legal steps to take?

My 19-year-old son is facing a class D felony charge for animal torture after trying to nurse a dog back to health. He eventually surrendered the dog to the Humane Society but lied about finding it in a ditch. He was arrested and released with a court date, and this is his first offense with no... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Mar 19, 2025

Hire him a criminal defense lawyer immediately. Since he has no record, it most likely will be amended to a misdemeanor or diverted.

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Municipal Law for Kentucky on
Q: Can I press charges or get a fine issued for neighbor's dog repeatedly entering my property in Kentucky?

I have had repeated issues with my neighbor's dog hopping my fence and being off leash on my property on at least three occasions, the most recent being last night. The dog has torn into trash bags on my deck, leaving trash everywhere. Despite animal control and police involvement, where the... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Feb 27, 2025

No. But you can’t shoot the neighbors dog. End of problem. End of story.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Kentucky on
Q: Do I have to give the dog back?

I have a dog that was dumped in my yard almost a month ago and I have tried getting ahold of the owner and she never replied back and never came to get her dog I also had him posted on Facebook in numerous group pages to find out if he was missing or dumped and people told me who his the owner was... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Jan 19, 2025

If she can prove the dog is hers, you’ll have to give her back. If she can’t proved the dog is hers, then it’s up to you. Is the dog microchipped? That could solve the mystery.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Kentucky on
Q: My dog killed my other dog in my fenced in yard the neighbor called the cops and they arrested me took all my animals

I have rights to have animales

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Oct 5, 2024

First, you should get the charges against you dismissed. Then you should sue the cops, the neighbors and anyone else who involved themselves into your business.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Kentucky on
Q: My neighbors dog came on my property and attacked my dog I gave 1600 dollars for and is one of my breeding dogs
Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Sep 8, 2024

You will likely have to sue your neighbor for the damages and injuries.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Kentucky on
Q: Can a professional handler in the state of Kentucky hold my dog for payment if there is no contract?

A set of professional handlers added up some outrages fees. I do not have a signed contract with them. I have been paying incrementally and supplying all her food and medication. The dog is chipped and registered to me. The handlers live in KY and I live in VA. They took her from the Westminster... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on May 19, 2024

Yes. Obviously there was an oral contract to do something bc they have the dog. You will either have to pay them or hire a lawyer and litigate the return of the dog.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Kentucky on
Q: Ky stray hold law for Found dogs?
Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on May 15, 2024

Generally, five (5) days but it can vary from ordinance to ordinance and county to county.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Kentucky on
Q: Someone went to jail in my house and left their dog here they didn't ask what I take care of if they just left it here a

His father was out on the streets and didn't attempt to come and get the dog or even help me take care of it they didn't even vaccinated they didn't give a rabies shot I did all that plus treat some food what do I need to do she is my she's registered as my ESA dog now I'm... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Apr 3, 2024

They abandoned the dog. Have her microchipped and registered to you. Keep all your vet records where you pay for the dog.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Kentucky on
Q: If I have a letter from my doctor for an emotional support animal can manager of the apartments I rent from deny it?

I am wheelchair bound diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I was prescribed a emotional support animal. The landlord at the apartments I live in first said I had to pay $250 when I showed them proof my animal was for emotional support they then told me there was now a no pet policy and I would... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Mar 4, 2024

You should be able to keep the animal but you will likely have to pay pursuant to the terms of your lease.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Kentucky on
Q: Can a dog be left outside in frigid temperatures (15 right now) if they have a doghouse? Is it legal? Please help!
Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Jan 17, 2024

No. Such actions may be prosecuted for cruelty to animals.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Kentucky on
Q: Can the adoption place take my dog?

My friend is very ill and asked me to take her dog. I have a farm and love dogs so she knew he would be well taken care of. I got his microchip registered and took him to the vet. The place she adopted it from is now contacting me saying it's their dog and she signed a contract, like we all do... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Jan 5, 2024

What you describe is a standard term in animal adoption contracts. Why don’t you contact the shelter and see if you can work something out with them? They might be willing to accept your application and let you keep the dog.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Libel & Slander for Kentucky on
Q: Can I ride with my dog in the bed of my pick up?

I always tie him down to one of my bed corner with a leash. As far I know there's no law in Louisville ky that prohibit that. But was recently warned that it could consider animal cruelty. Is that true?

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Dec 13, 2023

It could be construed as animal cruelty by some groups. Better practice would be to secure a crate in one corner of the bed and let him ride in the crate.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Kentucky on
Q: Is it illegal to find a home for a lost dog?

Someone is trying to rehome a lost dog and was told it's illegal to rehome a lost dog. So we're checking to see if this is true.

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Nov 28, 2023

It is not illegal unless they know the identity of the owner.

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