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Texas Animal / Dog Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for Texas on
Q: My cat has suffered brain damage from anastasia at the vets office. Was having surgery to pull 2 teeth. Now he can't eve
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 27, 2023

If you think you can prove Anastasia caused your cat’s brain damage, call the vet office to get her full legal name and send her a demand letter for the full fair market value of your cat. Unless the cat is an unusually rare pure breed, it is likely that she or her employer will pay you the... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: I’m trying to check into my hotel but was denied access because I have a service dog. They’re making her stay in the car

If I brought her in, they would charge me $250 nonrefundable she can’t stay in the car she needs to be with me.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 27, 2023

If the dog is a registered service dog (like a seeing eye dog) and not an emotional support animal (ESA), the hotel is in violation of the ADA. As a disabled person, you can likely sue the hotel for disability discrimination.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: My girlfriend is thinking about going to Minnesota to work for a few months and come back around November

She is worried that her family (mainly her mother) will give away her 2 dogs while she's gone. The family has stated numerous times that those were her dogs and if she ever were to move out, she would have to take them. The job only lasts until November and it begins around the end of July.... Read more »

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 6, 2023

She should probably take the dogs with her rather than abandon them to family members who do not want them.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: Is it pet abandonment if said to boarder I'll be paying end of Feb n picking up was told by cop it's a civil matter

Was told by boarding lady she was gonna turn me in for pet abandonment if I don't pay and pick up dog by Feb 14th I talked to a local cop here n he said if she's refusing to give u said dog until it's paid then it's not abandonment it is considered a civil matter she said I... Read more »

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 5, 2023

Saying you will pay at the end of February isn’t pet abandonment.

Refusing to pick up your pet and pay for past boarding as requested probably gives the boarder the right to take your pet to the local animal shelter unless you have a written agreement that requires the boarder to keep...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: My friend’s ex-partner is suing for the dog after a breakup. My friend (dog owner) had the dog for several years prior

To them meeting or even cohabiting. While together she paid for all of the dog’s vet and grooming needs and became very attached. Does she have any legal standing? Can money and entitlement take this dog from the true owner?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 27, 2023

Dogs aren’t like children. They are property. Whoever owns the dog, owns the dog.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Texas on
Q: My neighbors dogs came into my yard killed my male dog 2 years ago the owner wouldnt even pay me for the vet bill.

3 days ago the neighbor dogs 4 came in my house thru the dog door and killed my female dog what can i do

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 24, 2023

You can sue your neighbor for the fair market value of your dead dog.

A jury or judge will have to determine you and your neighbor’s proportionate share of responsibility most like based on each of your negligence.

If your neighbor is found to be more than 50% responsible, you...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: Can my mom sue her neighbor for shooting her dog that was on their property? Told them if they were to just use a bb gun

The day before her dog was playing with one of their chickens in the yard and she took the chicken home and asked they not shoot her dog if he was in their yard. She asked that if they did to just use a bb gun. They said they did not have a bb gun but they did have a pellet gun not a bb gun. She... Read more »

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 22, 2023

Maybe.

But your mom had a duty to keep her dog in her own yard. So your mom could share some of the legal responsibility.

And your damages will be measured by the price or value of the pup.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: My neighbors dog broke the fence boarding our two yards, and impregnated my dog, can I sue for vet fees?

It’s clear by the damage on the fence that it was pushed from his side, also my dog is in heat which would explain why his unfixed male dog wanted to get through so badly. On top of this, my dog is a pure bread GSD which I had intentions on breeding, her puppy’s would have sold for a minimum of... Read more »

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 21, 2023

Theoretically.

You and your neighbor share mutual responsibility for maintaining your common fence. Your neighbor is also responsible for keeping his dog properly restrained. You had superior knowledge that you dog was in heat and would therefore attract the attention of male dogs in the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: Recently I had hooked my female dog to her 30 ft running cable in my backyard. I then went to town and returned home

...within the hour, to find my neighbor's dog stuck to my dog. Clunker has been in this family for 14 years. Upset but concerned I know having a litter at 14 years old could be risky for a dog. Could I hold my neighbor's responsible for their dog impregnating my dog?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 6, 2023

Theoretically, but what monetary damage have you sustained? Maybe vet bills, if any, caused by the pregnancy?

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: My dog was put to death at Dallas animal shelter. Even though I sent them 3 emails that they replied to. To let them

That it was my dog and that I was coming to get her

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 4, 2023

If you notified the animal shelter of your ownership, the shelter is required to continue to hold the dog for five days from the date it was impounded (not from the date you notified the shelter) for you to come and pick up your dog. As long as you appeared at the shelter with the proper funds to... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: A roommate was kicked out, left their dog here since the beginning of Nov. 2022. The dog is registered as my emotional

Support dog. He just took off with the dog while I'm at work. What should I do?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Dec 28, 2022

Many local shelters adopt out dogs for a reasonable price. I would start there to find a replacement.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: Our 9 month old dog was bred without our consent at dog boarding. What can we do? The dog had 9 puppies all from our dog

We boarded our 9 month old dog in September for a weekend (Thursday-Sunday). On Saturday, the day before we picked him up, the lady that owns the dog boarding told us that our dog jumped the fence and mated with her dog. (Our dog was only 9 months at the time and much smaller. He has never even... Read more »

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Dec 17, 2022

If you can show the boarding facility was negligent in boarding your dog, you may be entitled to the monetary value of one pup.

You can file a lawsuit in small claims court if the value of one pup sired by your registered dog is less than $20,000.

The fact your dog jumped the fence...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Civil Rights for Texas on
Q: My story is longwinded. My dog in essence was STOLEN with the help of the local police department. What R my rights? TX.

The officer obligated me to hand over the dog. I took the woman who stole my dog to court and they found in my favor. The police bent over backwards FOR HER. She "alleges" she lost it and there is nothing I can do to her allegedly. She moved shortly after the incident which tells me she... Read more »

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 23, 2022

It is not the mayor's job, or that of the city attorney, police department, or state attorney general, to help you enforce your judgment against the women who stole your dog.

It is your attorney's job, or your job if you are unwisely proceeding without an attorney, to file the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: I had these dogs for yrs. The dogs got out while I was packing to leave. They are my daughters dogs.Can I be charge

When dogs got out by being 73 my cousin pick me up.My neighbor found them took them to the pound. I have had the dogs for years. Can I be changed with abundance

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 21, 2022

I am unfamiliar with “abundance.”

Just go to the pound with their registration and vaccination cards and pick them up. There might be a small fine for allowing them to run at large and there might be additional fines if they aren’t registered and vaccinated. But this should not be a big deal.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for Texas on
Q: my dog bit someone and most likely I am going to get sued for it but I don't have any kind of money to pay

i'm on the verge of filling bankruptcy. I got less than $50 on my bank account and I doubt I can afford a lawyer to help me. What can I do?

Penny Wymyczak-White
PREMIUM
Penny Wymyczak-White
answered on Nov 20, 2022

If you own a house your homeowners insurance may cover it,

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: What do I do about a leaser leaving cattle on my property and not feeding them and abandoning his cattle.

I have asked several time for him to remove the cows by phone because the cows are getting out searching for food, but now he has blocked our numbers. Three other families are feeding these animals, but his excuse was that he had gout and couldn’t. I just need advice on how to get them off my... Read more »

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 9, 2022

You should report the abandoned cattle to your local sheriff's office. If you just want the cattle gone, they will notify the owner and then impound the cattle if they are not removed within five days.

You may be entitled to a redemption price but, as you obviously do not handle...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: How can I show proof of ownership of a dog that I was gifted due to it being abused/neglected?

I work at my apartment building. There was a tenant who, since the day they moved in, had not paid rent or anything (august-October). Not sure how they were able to move-in in the first place. My managers filed for eviction. They went into his apartment and room to hand him the paperwork. They... Read more »

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 3, 2022

If the dog belonged to the tenant, only the tenant had legal authority to give the dog away. Your manager had no legal right to tell you that you could keep the dog because the dog did not belong to your manager.

Your better argument is that the tenant abandoned the dog. If the tenant...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Domestic Violence and Small Claims for Texas on
Q: How can I obtain legal ownership of dogs shared with an ex-boyfriend who is withholding them to coerce me to stay?

In order to leave an emotionally abusive relationship, I had to leave without my dogs. The dogs were abandoned in our care by his sister 3 years ago. She told my ex that we could keep them or give them to her dad, who is disabled & unable to care for pets. Giving the dogs to the dad would... Read more »

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Oct 26, 2022

Since the dogs were given to you both, you own them as tenants in common.

You can petition a court to partition them in kind or to have them sold and divide the proceeds equally between the two of you.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: My ex came over to get his mail and took off with our dog that I’ve kept since the breakup without my permission. HELP

He just came by to get his mail and I gave him the mailbox key to go check while I was in the bathroom and when I came out he was gone saying bye xxxxx the dogs mine

Jaime Victor Papa
Jaime Victor Papa
answered on Oct 24, 2022

I have worked on cases like this in the past. I recommend you work with an attorney to generate a legal plan.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Texas on
Q: My dog was stolen two years ago. I saw my dog on a pet page and contacted them. How do I get my dog back?

I told them I would pay for a DNA test to prove he is my dog since my brother has his daughter to test the DNA with. I told her I had his AKC Paperwork, pedigree, and pictures of him with our family.

I contacted the police two years ago, but I did not know where he was. I contacted animal... Read more »

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 19, 2022

You can file a suit for "replevin." Such a suit seeks the return of a specific item of personal property (other than money) in possession of the other party that rightfully belongs to you. In this case, the item is the dog.

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