Pennsylvania Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
Q: My dog died at the kennel. Kennel is filed a civil case for us to Pay the vet bill. My signature isn't on contract
No cell service while on vaca. So we didn't get the call from the that my dog was not well. My dog got sick and the kennel took him to vet he was diagnosed with bloat and they put him the sleep because his stomach had already died. They want us to pay the expenses back. I've never seen the actual... Read more »
Do you have an expert to testify? If not you are correct that you didn't sign the contract, but then your girlfriend is on the hook--bottom line, you don't need a contract if you ask them to care for the dog and they do, and it's commercial and you know there's a charge. Your problem if you were... Read more »
Q: My handicapped dog is an escape artist. Dog warden is filling charges against me.
He had done this 3 times in last year. She says it is more egregious because he is handicapped. What can I do? This is in PA not NJ. Don't know why it sent that location.
Who is handicapped the dog? Whether handicapped or not, it is up to you to make sure Houdini the dog can't get out. He gets out, you get cited. If you can explain why it isn't your fault you can plead not guilty but chances are it'll be on you.
Q: What determines ownership of a dog? I was advised that a dog license does not since anyone could obtain one for any dog.
I spoke to a license manager in my county who advised that having a license for a dog does not mean that you own that dog. So then what does? Vet bills, groomer receipts, etc??
All the above. If you got the dog from someone be useful to get something signed from that person.
Q: is it legal to have ducks for pets in archbald pa
The zoning officer should be able to tell you. Normally ducks are viewed as fowl--if you can keep hens, chances are you may keep ducks.
Q: What are the current laws regarding someone else's dogs crapping in your yard or property?
A women who walks her dog down the street always has her dog crapping in my yard.
The dog is trespassing and she is violating laws that require a dog owner to pick up their pooche's poop.
Q: What can I do if my roommate got rid of my dog well I'm at work. What can I do about it?
If you know where try to get it back. If not all the roomate owes you is the cost of the dog if it had been for sale the day before--the market value. Technically she destroyed property. You need to look for a roomate that knows boundaries.
Q: dog bit utility worker on property. didn't break skin. what should I do next from my side? is this reportable?
The worker has to file an incident report through her company and has the dogs license number. my question is since the dog didn't break skin and leave much of a bruise how does this get handled by authorities? Obviously through her company might be different but if they have to report it to... Read more »
Won't affect you as far as the authorities--it's not a mandatory reportable as far as I know--but you should report it to your insurance conmpany.
Q: My dog has permission in writing to be on my neighbors property unleashed and unattended. Is this allowable per PA dog l
Allowable Per PA dog law?
Well, that's fine for your neighbor. But if the dog get's loose it'll be on you. That's why they have dog laws. And your neighbor I assume will not want that responsibility. Also if unleashed, and it gets into it with a postal worker or deliveryperson that is on you.
Q: Can my ex come back for my dog after a year?
My ex and I had a dog together. We ended our relationship over a year ago but the dogs micro-chip is still registered under her name. I’ve always been the primary caretaker for the dog. My ex has now moved out of state to SC, since the dog is registered under her can she come take the dog back... Read more »
Probably not. Pets are considered property under Pennsylvania law, just like a table, lamp, etc. If you've paid for the upkeep of the pet for the past year, a court will likely let you keep the pet. If she comes for the pet, you can politely decline her request. At that point, she'll have to... Read more »
Q: Consequences of not giving shared dog back to ex husband since he wants to take him out of state
My ex husband and split taking care of a dog weve had for 9 yrs. A birthday gift to me. I let the dog stay at his house because i couldnt find a place that took his breed. I still go after work to take care of him sometimes and take him for a week or two at a time every month as well as the vets as... Read more »
Talk to your lawyer. Who is the owner under the license? That's what the police will look at.
Q: Hello I purchased a purebred chihuahua puppy breeder now put in shelter and shelter won’t give back anything I can do
3 puppies where sold to families money was taken now there dogs are in the shelter and the shelter won’t let them come get them or adopt them do they have any legal grounds to fight the shelter the puppies where $1,000s of dollars they’re pure bred chihuahua puppies I have proof of purchase and... Read more »
Ask to meet with the shelter manager and find out why. If they don't satisfy you ask the police if you can file a complaint with them for not giving you your property. Maybe call the state ASPCA first to get an idea of the law regarding shelters.
Q: While walking my 8 year old blue merle collie on a leash my dog was struck by a vehicle-street was clear when crossing
Car came out from side street when we were already crossing. Struck my dog, I got pulled down backward by the dog leash. I screamed for person to stop. She never looked up. My dog was able to get up an get across street. I ran after her. Person stopped briefly and left. I got make/model/color of... Read more »
Your case can be pursued both criminally and civilly.
With respect to criminal prosecution, it is not your decision whether charges are filed. The local police department that responded to your call and the district attorney for the county in which this incident occurred have complete... Read more »
Q: my ex wife took our dog to SPCA without my permission
My wife and I split up and she moved 8 hours away. She took our dog to the local SPCA. When I went to go get her, the employee, who is friends with my ex, stated that the dog has already been adopted and refused to tell me who adopted my dog. I had the money for the adoption in hand but the... Read more »
Courts in PA generally do not get involved in animal custody. Discuss it with the lawyer handling your divorce. Possible if it was known to be jointly owned that the SPCA may have some liability but I don't see it, under the law.
Q: I gave someone my dog to keep while his wife had cancer. He promised to give my dog back after she died. Now he won’t
I gave my dog to my uncle to help his wife feel better since she had cancer. I gave it to him under the condition that if they couldn’t take care of her anymore, to give her back to me. A year after she died, he claimed to not be able to take care of my dog anymore and asked to give her back to... Read more »
I doubt you can sue her for theft since your uncle handed the dog over to her. Maybe if you offer to reimburse her for the vet bills she'll return the dog. Since she seems to care enough for the dog to spend a decent amount of money on her, perhaps the nicest thing you can do for your dog is allow... Read more »
Q: My ex has left the dog with me for 2 months with no contact. Can I claim full ownership?
I have now registered the dog in my name. I have paid for his vet bills, food, grooming and dog walking. The dog was his coming into the relationship. Can he come back and take custody of the dog? Or can I claim abandonment and have full ownership?
I think at this point, it's pretty safe to say the dog is yours. If he wants the dog back, let him file a lawsuit against you in small claims court and then he can try to convince the court otherwise. At the very least, if a court would ever order you to return the dog to him, it would only be... Read more »
Q: I have to keep my dogs outside for the next 6 months. There is a heated shed they have access to with fresh water?
They have access to the heated shed at all times. And always have water available to drink. Will this be okay for the winter?
Check with a vet and the humane society. They'd be the people called if there was a suspected problem.
Q: I let my Yorkiepoo visit my daughter n her girlfriend kept and licensed my dog in her grandmothers address.
Magistrate wouldn't help
You can try the police--it's conversion of a dog, but your civil remedy is what the dog is worth in market value, not it's value to you. Sorry, that's the law.
Suggest you discuss with a family therapist how to proceed as getting legal may end up breaking one or more relations you have and... Read more »
Q: A friend was watching my dog while I was in Japan. He was supposed to send the dog to me after 6 months, but has cut off
all contact and said that he got the dog licensed under his name. It's been two years and I'm trying to save enough money to visit the US to get the dog back. What can I do about this?
Spend more money than the dog is worth. Fact is if you return to Japan they may not allow the dog in, and vice versa. Time to realize that this person did something wrong and just remember the vet bills are now all his responsibility.
Q: My son bought a purebred English lab Jun16,2018 she was 8wks old. Very smart. Got along with my American Staffordshire.
We didn't know we were only permitted 1 ADA dog so we ask this couple a week ago to watch her until things changed. Well they did and we were granted permission for her. Now they refuse to give her back. Even though we hold the receipts to her and her akc paperwork.
*it was only after 3mo.... Read more »
I suggest that you go to your local district court and file a civil complaint, seeking return of your dog.
Q: How is it determined that a dog is a "dangerous dog"? and how do I go about having a dog/dogs declared as dangerous?
I live in the country (rural/farm land area - see location). My neighbor lets his dogs run loose constantly. I've let him know that under PA Dog Law he is required to keep his dogs "under his control - at ALL times" yet, he still allows them to run loose stating South Shenango Township "allows"... Read more »
your dog warden should be able to tell you.
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