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Missouri Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Missouri on
Q: Are they allowed to take damages out of a pet deposit when the pet is a certified therapy animal/

The pet was certified a therapy animal in 2016 but i never was charged a deposit until i moved here. I moved in in June but they acted like they didn't know i had a cat and waited until December to charge me the deposit. By then since they pretended they didn't know I had a cat, I only... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 18, 2023

There are two categories of pets that are exempt from pet deposits as a matter of federal housing laws that protect disabled persons from housing discrimination: service animals (which are specially trained dogs like seeing-eye dogs for the blind) and emotional support animals ESAs (which can be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Animal / Dog Law for Missouri on
Q: My puppy has to be put down due to severe behavioral issues they were born with. Can I sue the breeder?

We purchased a puppy from a breeder in MO (were in a different state) that advertises family friendly dogs. Our vet behaviorist confirmed our pup was born was severe behavioral issues (anxiety, aggression, and more). Many trainers also agree. Puppy is unresponsive to meds, and due to the severity... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Jan 16, 2023

Unless your contract contains an arbitration clause, then of course you may sue the breeder, assuming you are willing and able to pay to litigate in Missouri. Have an attorney review the contract and assess whether you'd have a strong claim. Sorry that your pub isn't what you expected or desired.

2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for Missouri on
Q: My dog bit someone it states on the served paper "I was corralling the dog" is that proof my dogs were provoked. Missour

Does does that constitute the dog defending itself or is that a vicious bite I'm in the state of Missouri and I'm being sued because my dog bit someone who was grabbing it and picked it up while chasing it

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Aug 8, 2022

I suggest you contact your homeowner's insurance company to see if it my provide coverage and counsel. Otherwise, hire your own attorney if you can afford one. I know that you want someone to tell you that the case lacks merit, but no cautious attorney is going to tell you that. Litigation... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Missouri on
Q: Is Regulations on Assistance Animals (ESAs) Legal?

Hi, I live in a single family home, in Missouri, which is public housing. I was prescribed by a psychologist an assistance animal to help with my severe generalized anxiety and depression. I went to speak with my landlord and they gave me a thick sheet of “rules” i have to follow such as;... View More

Juliet Piccone
Juliet Piccone
answered on May 15, 2022

This is not legal per the Fair Housing Act as a blanket set of rules. Reasonable restrictions can be requested by the landlord if your particular emotional support animal(s) would somehow interfere with the living situation of other residents/ the character of neighborhood (for example your... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Missouri on
Q: Can I sue a business for losing my dog??

I took my dog to a doggy day care about 2days ago when I arrived to pick him up they inform that somehow he got free and bolted through the dog I have yet to find him so I wanted to know what are my options and how to go about them. Thanks

Juliet Piccone
Juliet Piccone
answered on May 15, 2022

In short the answer is yes. But it would make more sense to start with demanding more information as to what happened, ask to see any surveillance videos etc to see if you can somehow get some clue as to what may have happened or where he ran off to.

Also find out if your state regulates/...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Missouri on
Q: my fiances mother fostered our dogs without consent and is withholding their whereabouts information, is this illegal?

we have asked countless times for her to give us the information of who has our dogs so we can get them back and she is saying we have to meet her demands (which we have plenty of screenshots of her telling us what we HAVE to do to receive this information). she fostered our dogs not even 24 hours... View More

Emerald Sheay
Emerald Sheay
answered on Feb 2, 2022

I'm sorry to hear you are experiencing this. As animals are still considered "property", this appears to be theft of your dogs by your fiancé's mother. But, typically disputes over pets are treated as a "civil" dispute, however, which is why the police do not want to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Missouri on
Q: I need help getting my stolen dog back. No one will help

I have proof she is mine

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Nov 1, 2021

If you know who took your dog, have proof, and are willing and able to pay to hire an attorney, search for a civil litigation attorney in your area.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Missouri on
Q: I live in Dent County my neighbors have five dogs I'm deathly afraid of dogs they keep coming in my yard what can I do
Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Apr 14, 2021

273.033. Killing or injuring a dog, reasonable apprehension of imminent harm is an absolute defense. — 1. In any action for damages or a criminal prosecution against any person for killing or injuring a dog, a showing by a preponderance of the evidence that such person was in reasonable... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Missouri on
Q: My landlord shot my Siberian husky puppy.. I seen it happen he had no valid reason for shooting her.. what can I do??
Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Apr 2, 2021

Sorry to hear that. You could sue your landlord for the value of your puppy. Unfortunately, dogs are valued as personal property in Missouri. The true damage you suffered is emotional, but don’t expect that to be compensable.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Contracts for Missouri on
Q: Can a dog breeder enforce a contract that was never mentioned before taking a monetary deposit?

My husband and I have been working with a breeder to purchase a puppy. In the beginning we were told "when he goes to his new home he will be current on vaccines and wormer, have his health check with our vet, AKC registration application, a puppy starter pack, and a genetic health... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Jan 17, 2021

The question is “what is your contract.” In other words, did you have an oral contract under which you paid the deposit? If so, then the breeder cannot add terms thereafter. You may be able to pursue a claim for breach of contract or violation of Missouri’s Merchandising Practices Act (our... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death for Missouri on
Q: I took my dog to my vet for concerns, blood tests were taken, they informed me it was hormonal, she passed weeks later

About a month later I had to rush her to the animal hospital for kidney failure, I had to put her to sleep and it’s devastated me and my family . She was only 5, great health and had a good home and we all loved her. This happened about a month ago so I’ve been trying to get over her passing.... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Jan 5, 2021

I'm sorry to hear about your puppy. You posted on a legal page but didn't ask a specific legal question.

If you are wanting to sue the vet, but I doubt you'll find that to be a very good option unless you paid many thousand of dollars for the puppy, our willing to spend...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Missouri on
Q: Who is the owner of a snake if it was gifted but original owner has receipt and wants it back after a year 8 months?

My daughters mother purchased an exotic snake valued around 1k. She wasn't allowed to keep it at her home and she asked if I would raise it for a while. After about a year she said I can have it. 8 months after that she claims she never gave it to me and she wants it back. I refused because... View More

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Nov 9, 2020

Yes, you have a decent shot at winning. The outcome will depend on whether the court believes that the snake was a gift. If so, you win. If not, you lose. It's a matter of credibility.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Animal / Dog Law, Personal Injury and Small Claims for Missouri on
Q: A dog was hit by a random person infront of my home didn’t have chip or collar so took to vet told them we were adopting

Paid 1,000 dollars owner came forward doesn’t have proof of ownership get gave dog to owner but I can’t get my money back or the dog that I said I was adopting and didn’t ask for proof of ownership what do I do

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Nov 2, 2020

I don't believe that you have a cognizable claim to file. Missouri recognizes the "doctrine of necessaries" as to a married couple, i.e., if the medical services patient received were necessary and patient maintained no separate assets, one spouse would be liable for the reasonable... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Missouri on
Q: Does Missouri have a law for harming dogs in Missouri

My neighbor put glass along fence majorly hurting my dog

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

Animal cruelty/neglect. Call animal control.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Missouri on
Q: How many dogs are you allowed to have in missouri. We are outside of town.
Kristen Thurmond
Kristen Thurmond
answered on Apr 24, 2020

This is going to vary by city or county. As far as I know, there is no limit on the number of dogs you can own under state law. This is usually covered by local laws. However, you run the risk of being considered a breeding facility if you own enough dogs that are intact and having litters. That... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Missouri on
Q: my dogs get lose, one is aggressive but has not bit anyone. They call it attacking. I have 2 tickets . Do I need a lawye

My dog has not physically bit anyone . My ticket say my dog has attacked people . Idk the laws about this. My dog is a good dog she has never Ben aggressive to us an I have 5 kids smallest 2 . She has broke a chain an slipped callers an the children have Ben known to let them out. I have tried to... View More

Kristen Thurmond
Kristen Thurmond
answered on Mar 18, 2020

A dog may not be aggressive to people in its own home. A loose dog will act unpredictably. A dog does not have to bite someone to be considered an attack. More than likely, you'll want an attorney that practices in your county/city to help you understand local laws and your options.

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Products Liability, Agricultural Law and Animal / Dog Law for Missouri on
Q: I sold a pup to an individual in FL it shipped to them after it arrived it got sick and passed. Whats my liability?

I have a 10 day no death guarantee. He received the pup on 11/25 he took to the vet 11/30 puppy passed 12/11

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Dec 22, 2019

Sounds like it would depend on when the dog died.

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Missouri on
Q: My question is about abandonment of a dog in my care how long before I can take ownership

I have had this dog since the 5th of this month with no response from the owner since about the tenth

Tammy L. Wincott
Tammy L. Wincott
answered on Nov 14, 2019

You would be wise to review the property laws in your state and/or to visit with an attorney. Do not risk being charged with theft of property for failure to turn it back over to the original owner.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Animal / Dog Law for Missouri on
Q: My dog just died from eating berries off a lantana plant in the backyard of the home I've been renting since June. Sue?

My landlord never advised that plants on property were toxic to dogs. I accumulated about $2,500 in vet bills trying to save my dog to no avail. Can I ask my landlord to reimburse?

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Nov 7, 2019

I am sorry that your dog got poisoned, but I'm not aware of any Missouri case on point. My gut feeling is that a landlord is not under a duty to advise a tenant of plants that are toxic to animals. Here is a link to an old Missouri Court of Appeals case, Grimmeissen v. Walgreen Drug Stores,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Civil Litigation for Missouri on
Q: If I sign a contract for a show dog, how much right does the seller have over the dog after the sale?
Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Sep 4, 2019

Unless the contract states otherwise, most likely none.

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